Hello and welcome to Speaking Visually, the online arts integrated modules that address the need for learners to develop 21st century literacy skills including: visual, critical thinking, and creativity skills. To learn more about this venture you can view the elevator pitch and review the venture pitch. Elevator Pitch Venture Pitch SpeakingVisually You’ll also find […]
Continue reading Speaking Visually Posted in: Venture Forum During week five we invite you to join us at Blogging 4 Education where we’ve provided an overview of the 4Cs and a blog pool for you to review and reflect on blogging in education. When you arrive on the “Blog Pool” page you’ll find the following: In hopes of inspiring development of blogs for […]
Continue reading Blogging 4 Education Posted in: Week 05:
Great intro for Blogging 4 Education . . . here your focus is on the 4C’s for primary, elementary and high-school students, but even as an adult teacher I find I can relate to the 4C’s. It will be interesting however to explore and discuss how the 4C’s can be fostered through blogging.
Marie-France
Blog title: Language, arts and social studies with Mr. Hayes
In addition to its clarity and richness of information and resources, I found that this blog effectively used the 4 C-s of education.
Collaboration
Every blog entry invites learners to answer questions and formulate, critique and share argument points with the group.
Creativity:
I thought that the idea of a TED talk style debate was very creative. The content was presented in a variety of media (video clips, resources) to engage students (in addition to text based content) and provide models for presenting their thoughts and arguments. I really liked the unique approach to encouraging timely participation.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is stimulated through effective questioning and offering comparative comments for learners to review and compare. Multiple perspectives are offered through text and video and I thought it was an excellent idea to include video clips of the author defending his point of view and work. In my opinion this stimulates discussion and allows for more collaborative opportunities to challenge biases and develop critical thinking and objectivity.
Communication
I found this blog to be one of the easiest to follow the flow – it’s very well structured and intuitive and despite the abundance of resources, I did not get lost or distracted. It was helpful to have “tips for blogging” displayed and easily accessible.
The PowerPoint slides outlining questions for debate could be improved but overall, I can definitely see the benefits of blogging for learning and bringing out the creative side of learners and encouraging communication.
Thank you group 1 for a job well done – this analysis was helped my understanding of the 4 C-s through a “hands-on” activity.
Leonora
Leonora, thank you for providing a thorough analysis of the use of the 4Cs in the blog “Language Arts and Social Studies with Mr. Hayes.” We’d really appreciate it if you would paste your comments to the blog pool page at: http://bloggingforeducation.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/language-arts-and-social-studies-with-mr-hayes/ That way others analyzing the blog can benefit from your contribution and perhaps add to it. Also, while you’re at the blog pool page you could add your rating by using the “Rate This on 4C Use” option.
Thanks
Hi Claire,
I tried a couple of times to post it in the respective blog but for some reason it keeps loading but nothing appears. It may be an issue with my computer or browser. Will keep trying.
Thanks,
Leonora
Hi Leonora,
Sometimes technology is a puzzle. I hope you have some luck with posting to the blog pool as I found your analysis to be very thorough. Let’s hope that others read your contribution.
Claire
Hello Presentation Team,
I just wanted to thank you all for the excellent presentation on your blogging topic. Your blog was very well-laid out, made it very easy for me to navigate throughout to find information and thanks for highlighting all the key points for us!
Good job!! I will be posting my reflections for your activity shortly.
Best,
Karon Wong
Thanks for the feedback, Karon. As with lots of e-learning environments, the navigation has been a work in progress!
If anyone else has navigation/content/technical issues, please let us know so we can help your experience be (relatively) painless – at least insofar as we can make the learning environment suitable for everyone.
May
Blog – “I Think”
This blog presents topics that students are encouraged to analyse and reflect on their opinions. The topics are relevant to students and would, I think, facilitate some interesting discussion.
Collaboration: The blog has a set of rules for students to follow which essentially leads to an atmosphere of respect in which all contributions are valued and considered. Students are asked to post their thoughts and to read their classmates thoughts. “Remember to read the ideas of others and try to build on them.” In theory this encourages students to analyse their peers’ ideas and add to or debate arguments made. This type of collaboration is an example of an authentic, real world activity. This blog seems to be a new entity to this group of students so as time goes on I would expect the quality of the entries to improve. The combined learning of the class far exceeds the learning of the individual.
Critical Thinking: Through the weekly topics students are required to analyze their opinions and opinions of others, to synthesize the information gained through the reading of their peers’ entries trying to connect the new information to their own ideas. This type of blog also requires students to reflect on their own ideas on a topic and alternate opinions voiced by their peers. One aspect I feel is missing is student reflection on their own learning and the process that facilitated the learning.
Communication: “I Think” promotes effective communication of student ideas and “listening” to others through the requirement for students to read other students’ entries. The blog uses images and text to present the topic. Although this blog is to promote student exposition writing I would add the option for students to present their arguments in different formats, video, audio or cartoons. I would. The variety would lead to better written pieces as students perfect their debating skills.
Creativity: I think this is probably the weakest of the 4c’s. Although the topics encourage students to think outside the box there is not much innovation. However to participate in the conversation students need to receptive to their classmates opinions and follow the posts closely. Hopefully this would encourage students to look for commonalities/connections between their ideas and their peers.
Overall “I Think” has the potential to engage students in activities that require students to use the 4cs.
Dear May, Claire, Greg, Shawn and Chelsea.
It sure is great to finally see some faces and hear some real voices after looking at my computer screen every day for the past month. It’s amazing that you’re all in different places around the world but because of technology, you were all able to come together for the occasion. It was also fun to see a palm tree from Turks and Caicos in the background behind Shawn. As I look out at the rain here in the Cariboo, it makes me dream of getting away:)
I’m looking forward to checking out the rest of your “Blogging 4 Education” site.
Thanks,
Donna
In the past, I have really enjoyed blogging as I will be able to go back and see how I have further developed my skills and knowledge in a field. I find that blogging is a great way to voice out our opinions and thoughts and really share this information with others. Similar to what your team have stated under the Collaboration section “Transform the learning process from a personal activity to a social and group activity”. To me, I feel that when I blog I have entered a community of practice through cyberspace where we can share our thoughts through commenting on each other’s blog posts. The blogging experience has impacted me mostly in a positive way, other than increasing my critical skills while reflecting on my own work and reviewing others, I feel rewarded when someone comments on my post and feel motivated when someone criticizes my work as I am open to suggestions and see this as an opportunity for further growth. Blogging for sure made things better on my end, as I can blog and write my thoughts out at anytime. Sometimes, I have so much going on in my mind I just want to release it all out and waiting until the next class session to get the opportunity to release my thoughts may not be as efficient because by that time I probably forgot what I was going to share with the class.
For education, I would see that blogging is something that would be used to record one’s personal self-development. I think blogging does have a good potential in the market, there are food blogs, personal blogs, educational blogs, health and wellness blogs and etc. To me, blogging seems unlimited you can blog anytime, anywhere about anything. It is a way to let us express our thoughts with one another. As mobile apps and a lot of courses are also adapting to the blogging feature, I would say that in 5 years it would be a trend that would be common amongst us all. I think my inter-school blogging idea is already out there but I would think that having students blog over their course of study would be a good idea.
Karon
I use a blog as a photographer and believe there is a lot of potential for them in education to provide forums for students to discuss ideas with in their community and with the community at large. It is important for the educator overseeing the use of blogs in the learning process to promote and model dialogue so that students can build their communication and collaboration skills. Without some encouragement and modeling the forums often end up under used with only superficial content or little actual dialogue between various learners.
Dave
Before you publish your posting, please make sure that you select a category (eg. Introductions) as well as assign some meaningful tags (keywords).
vawells 4:14 pm on July 30, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire
I really enjoyed viewing your elevator pitch. The images and music were beautiful and held my attention throughout the pitch. Your idea is original and certainly would have a niche in our education system. One suggestion that I think would improve your elevator pitch would be delivering your pitch in person on the video. This would, I think lend more credibility to the CEO, and give investors a chance to see firsthand your commitment and passion for your venture.
Good luck with your future ventures
Valerie
Claire Burgoyne 11:25 am on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks for your suggestion Valerie.
There’s much to consider in preparing a presentation. After viewing many of the presentations in the venture forum I have to say having video of the CEO does add credibility. To improve my pitch a blending of images and video of me presenting might be a good solution.
Claire
janetb 8:14 am on July 31, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire,
Your elevator pitch worked. Your proposal is so far out of my area of expertise, that I watched the elevator pitch three times before I caught on to what the venture was about (not because you didn’t explain it well, but because I am so unfamiliar with art education). That speaks volumes about your elevator pitch because even though I didn’t understand at first, it made me want to watch again and figure it out. In fact, it really worked because I went on to read your venture pitch.
Your venture clearly outlines a need in the art education market and identifies why your solution will meet that need in a unique way. You have a well laid out plan for marketing and the personal credentials you have outlined give me confidence that you can lead this venture. Your overall plan for development was comprehensive – I appreciated how you explained the proposed teacher to student ratio and at which points you would need additional teachers, admin and tech support. It is clear that your venture is well thought out and extremely organized. It was a pleasure to read.
I think this venture has real merit. After reading your proposal, you have me convinced that there is a need in the education system, but I am somewhat concerned that it might be a hard sell to school districts or students who may not see that need. Finding the right angle and venue for marketing it would be key to its success.
Overall, an impressive proposal.
Janet
Claire Burgoyne 11:49 am on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Janet,
I agree that generally speaking districts don’t pay a great deal of attention to art education. However, with the current trend toward personalized learning and the push for educational reforms, they are paying attention to options that contribute to students developing 21st century skills. I can see that a marketing goal needs to be to very quickly communicate that this venture goes well beyond offering art instruction and describe how modules are designed to aid students in gaining the skills they need for success in the conceptual age.
Claire
Leonora Zefi 7:07 pm on July 31, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
What a unique idea Claire!!! The stats you provided added “weight” and made the venture concept more appealing.
An in-person pitch would have been even more impactful. I myself filmed two versions, one just voice and then another one with video but finally decided to use the video version.
Concept and team
The venture concept “a solution to enhance visual literacy” is very clearly articulated.
The detailed information about team roles and the thinking behind supporting the future growth convey confidence and competence in carrying out the plan successfully.
Marketability
I like the idea of tying this to essential skills because that to me sounds promising in terms of market opportunities. The competition is well researched – my only suggestion would be to probably elaborate a bit more on what differentiates Speaking Visually from the competition.
Venture Plan
A very well thought-out plan Claire. As an investor I would have liked to see a larger profit share and if not possible then maybe a rationale would be helpful.
Great work.
Leonora
Claire Burgoyne 11:57 am on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Leonora,
I appreciate your comments and agree that some in-person segments would improve my pitch. I actually began by creating a video of myself but it didn’t seem to fit my venture idea so I switched to presenting images and me speaking. Now that I’ve had more opportunity to reflect I think a combination of in-person video and visuals would have worked well.
As I understand it an investor is looking for a return equal to or greater than the initial investment. I might not be clear on that though. It would be helpful for me to participate in discussion regarding expectations in that area.
Claire
chrisaitken 12:12 am on August 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire
I really like this idea. I have always thought, that with the recent improvements to web-based digital media, that high quality education in fine arts would become possible. I got the sense from your elevator pitch that a quality learning experience would be offered.
My hesitation regarding this venture and other tuition based ventures surrounds facing the emerging competition from Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS). There are some major university partnerships in the US such as the $60 million dollar edX partnership of MIT and Harvard. I would need to know more about how this service would be differentiated from existing MOOCs and platforms like Udemy and Coursera which are attracting the big universities.
Claire Burgoyne 12:11 pm on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Chris,
Whenever the idea of selling online courses comes up so too does the fact that some of the major universities offer open online courses. It’s my understanding that what these courses offer is content. While they include video instruction and demonstration, they are in fact the equivalent of online texts. The modules I’m marketing are designed for learning communities and the construction of knowledge. My approach is to encourage learners to pull content rather than having content pushed at them. Each module encourages students to be creative as they define problems and work collaboratively to find logical solutions. Once they’ve arrived at a solution or solutions the next task is to go beyond spoken or written forms of communication and use visual forms to articulate their findings.
Claire
ping 11:52 am on August 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire,
I really like your elevator pitch, which is so engrossing and passionate. It does work to lead me into your venture proposition, though I wish there could be a few key words in the pictures to give me a quick idea of the story behind (forgive my poor hearing).
I love the cover of your venture pitch. That shows a great sense of art. I have no doubt that your credit and capability can make you a qualified leader for this venture. I would hope to see a clearer story for how the “visual” and “speaking” parts work together. Do students orally speak out opinions for presented pictures, or do they “speak” in the form of visual pieces? What kind of arts can be considered as “ill-defined”? Does the “illness” mean in art sense or in social sense? In my understanding (not professional), art is perceptual which values creativity and innovation, how to associate it with very rational “problem solving” and “critical thinking”? I think you have a very thorough plan for operating the venture, including human resources, but I would like to see a more detail description of your potential users. In the competition paragraph, a brief comparison could help to clarify the differentiation advantages of your venture to the others.
Well done, Claire!
Ping
Claire Burgoyne 12:23 pm on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Ping,
You offer something for me to consider when you suggest that I use text as well as images and audio to communicate my idea. My idea highlights the fact that visuals offer a language of their own. We’re so accustomed to communicating through spoken and written language that we easily overlook the power of the visual language that is everywhere.
In my competition paragraph I don’t compare my idea with the art options listed as these options teach technique and aren’t offering arts integrated education. Perhaps I should add a sentence to that section to make it clear that to my knowledge there currently are no online arts integrated options.
Claire
maybacon 9:15 am on August 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire,
This is a very interesting idea, as I think it is very challenging to get school-aged students to reflect on art in more ways than saying that they “like” or “dislike” it. I believe this venture would be quite beneficial to art education curriculums. I was wondering, however, whether the learners are working collaboratively on problem-solving through art, on understanding problems represented through art or on creating art that represents current problems … or a bit of all of those. I also wonder how you might market this course as superior or different from existing art education courses, or art-centric blogs.
Great work!
May
Claire Burgoyne 12:47 pm on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi May,
As you suggest students are problem-solving, gaining understanding of problems, and representing solutions to problems through art. The difference between existing face-to-face art education courses and my proposal is that the students go beyond a focus that is personal in nature to explore issues that are relevant to their cultures and communities. This means that modules offer arts integrated options to students at the grade 10-12 level. Students learn to communicate through a range of art forms but also earn credit for disciplines other than visual art. When comparing Speaking Visually to online art options the differences are greater as the online options’ primary goal is to teach technique. With an increasing number of students at the grade 10-12 level electing to learn from home and seeking online courses there is a need for quality online art options.
Claire
lisamallen 11:14 am on August 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire,
I thought your elevator pitch was excellent and I really like your venture concept. After reading your full pitch, it’s clear that this venture is needed and different than many other products out there on the market today. I wonder how you would gain entrance into schools with this product tough – and would you target school districts – or ?
Overall, great pitch,
Lisa
Claire Burgoyne 12:58 pm on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Lisa,
I think that endorsement from national, provincial, and state organizations such as the Canadian Society for Education through Art (CSEA) and the National Art Education Association (NAEA) in the US would prove valuable in marketing to schools and districts. In the public system the decision to purchase Speaking Visually might be made at the district level but I would also market to school administrators and art educators. Marketing to Independent schools should be primarily to administration and art educators.
Claire
gillian 8:20 am on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire,
Your elevator pitch was visually intriguing which of course is perfect for the venture you are proposing. However, I must admit that I found myself distracted from your words by the imagery – perhaps, as Ping suggested, a few key words of text for emphasis may help to keep your viewers focused.
Your venture pitch was well laid out and I was especially impressed by how clearly you communicated the need to expend visual communication and its oft overlooked benefits of critical, collaborative and critical thinking skills. I was also impressed by the structure of the service from an educator standpoint. I have seen many students fail to complete self-paced courses due to lack of structure and isolation – your plan seems to resolve these issues. Your proposed orientation process is very comprehensive and it appears your team is more than capable of implementing it.
On the money side, I was somewhat confused. I found your start-up costs very low – it seems to me that you are under-valuing yourself and your team. It was also unclear to me how you are actually ‘selling’ your product to your customers – what is the cost to them?
Overall an idea worth investigating. Well done
gillian
Claire Burgoyne 1:11 pm on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Gillian,
Thanks for offering your thoughts concerning my pitch. I have some things to consider if I choose to move forward with this venture. I agree that I could be more courageous when it comes to launching this venture. While I’m trying to be practical and keep things manageable, and therefore small scale, I hadn’t considered how this might be perceived as communicating a lack of confidence or under-valuing the idea and the team’s capabilities.
Costs to customers varies depending on whether it’s an individual or a group signing up and the level of the students participating. You’re right a summary of student fees should be included with my proposal.
Claire
Chelsea M Woods 9:31 am on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire, I found your elevator pitch highly effective, engaging, and clear. I would have liked to see more about how the courses would be designed: I liked the idea that students would engage in visuals relevant to their communities: how will connections with people from other communities be moderated? Great idea with excellent potential. Thanks, Chelsea
Claire Burgoyne 1:27 pm on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Chelsea,
If I had a few more weeks to prepare for this presentation I’d create at least one module and include a preview of it in my proposal. The opportunity to see how modules are organized and presented would certainly help to convince investors that this is a worthwhile venture.
Students participate in a placement interview prior to beginning a module. The purpose of the interview is to ensure that learners with similar interests and skill level are placed together. While learners will have the opportunity to address issues of relevance to their culture and community this does not mean that cross-cultural groups will not occur. Many topics will lend themselves well to contributions from learners from varying backgrounds.
Claire
karonw 6:40 pm on August 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire,
Good job on your venture pitch and proposition. Your elevator pitch was very well-designed as you tried to use pictures to reflect your venture and the opening phrase “a picture represents a thousand words”. You did a very good job in articulating the core benefits and what your venture does, although in your elevator pitch you didn’t quite state what is the current challenges that people are facing but your detailed proposition has presented that information which made up for that and it acts quite nice as a follow-up document to your elevator pitch. As an EVA, I would suggest that you incorporate a brief introduction for your elevator pitch and perhaps having a scene or two with yourself leading the elevator pitch would have been more convincing as that would help you gain credibility and accountability, I think it is important to the investor in knowing who is actually presenting the venture to them.
Karon