Hello everyone!
Here’s my elevator pitch, I also had a hard time keeping it around 30 seconds- had to re-edit several times.
I’m looking forward to your comments, Ceci
SalaDeMaestros ElevatorPitch (To open file)
SalaDeMaestros.com ElevatorPitch (To view in YouTube)
You can view the complete Venture Pitch here:
Hello all!
Welcome to this week’s presentation and discussion. Your moderators this week are: Dawinder Mann, Mark Reed, Jim Richardson, Michel Lacoursiere and Cecilia Tagliapietra.
To give everyone a “breather”, we’ve decided to work on Drupl- an online platform similar to Ning- to present the material for this Module. You can access Module 11 through the following URL: http://www.lacour.ca/etec522/
We really look forward to reading your comments and participations!
Dawinder, Mark, Jim, Michel and Ceci
Cube analysis of Blackboard
I haven’t really used E-learning tools other than Blackboard, so I’m digging in to analyze this online platform in regard to its use in our University System in Baja California, Mexico.
I’d just like to contextualize before I begin the analysis: CETYS University is a system consisting of three campuses in Mexicali (main campus), Tijuana and Ensenada. The three campuses are in completely different economical and student population situations. Several years ago, the president along with academic advisors, decided to buy Blackboard for system-wide use.
Face 1: Market Focus
Higher education. As I mentioned, Blackboard was bought by the system to use within University level, although it has also been adopted by high school teachers and students of the same system.
Face 2: Types of Offerings
Infrastructure. CETYS University initially bought Blackboard to deliver and manage content, considering the possibility to expand on distance education later on.
Face 3: Who is the Buyer?
Blackboard was bought FOR the learner and it was bought centrally. As I mentioned, the three campuses didn’t really make the decision (or teacher for that matter) to buy the software and students are somewhat obligated to use Blackboard for their courses.
Face 4 – Global Markets
We are located in a somewhat complex situation. Although we would technically be situated within the European countries requiring translation, our University System is located in the border with the US, most of your students are fluent English speakers. Our internet and connection services are somewhat poor due to budget restrictions-this last characteristic limits our accessibility to Blackboard, especially in Ensenada’s campus.
Face 5 – Development of the Market
Market supports export oriented learning technologies and substitution of imports. We currently import much of our infrastructures, but are working towards the development of content and systems that will eventually replace Blackboard within our System.
Face 6 – Learning Technology Competing with Other Forms of Learning
Learning Technology Works With a Well-Developed Learning System. In CETYS’ case, we had a well-defined and developed system before adapting Blackboard onto our System. We have used the platform to extend the reach of our programs and elaborate hybrid courses for students and teachers.
Ingenia Training is a boutique consulting firm that provides training and educational services.
CEO Credibility
The CEO for Ingenia clearly explains the identified challenges or obstacles, but has a clear vision of how to resolve them if encountered. I found interesting the fact that the CEO does not “hide” or diminish the obstacles of the market, rather she presents alternatives and solutions for them.
Management Team
The CEO does mention that Ingenia is integrated by a group of professionals with postgraduate degrees (most with masters and a couple with Ph D’s) with enough expertise to solve problems and propose solutions. The CEO uses the terms “young” and “strong” to define the company.
Business Model
Ingenia has “done their homework”; they’ve visited Vietnam (their target market) and have apparently done research on population tendencies and educational habits.
Although they do present some arguments and relevant information from their market, the fact that they’ve visited the country only a couple of times is somewhat surprising- especially if their intention is to offer a service oriented towards education and training.
Competitive Products
The pitch for Ingenia does present a realistic market size- they initially intend to start off with Vietnam and continue with the rest of Asia. The selling price does not seem too high, BUT the expected return is somewhat low (around 25%) and they do specify that there are already a couple of companies (Japanese) that offer training services in Vietnam.
Market Readiness
They do not specify a certain time lapse to get their company on and about in Vietnam, but they do specify a 15 month period of market development trips.
Considering the market competitors and the difference in cultures, I think the path to Ingenia’s success is difficult and critical if they do not submerge in the culture to understand how and what might work.
Technical Innovation
Ingenia does have an “edge”, they’re discovering a new market, but they don’t necessarily offer a new product for the market… they’re offering a new way to provide a service.
Exit Strategy
They do have a vision of where they’d like to be, but the path to reach that goal is somewhat unclear.
Overall Investment Status
As an EVA, I would currently not risk my investment capital in Ingenia. I would need to see proof that they know their targeted market well and that they’ve firmly established connections or relations to advance to the next level.
Hi Everyone!
I’m Ana Cecilia Tagliapietra (Ceci) and as far as I can see, I’m the only student from Mexico 😀
I live in Mexicali, BC, Mexico- a small border town with California, USA … it’s 10:43 p.m. here and it’s over 90F outside!
I must say it’s very impressive to read your experiences in Education, I hope I learn from everyone.
I’m beginning my 6th and 7th courses in the double degree program with UBC and ITESM, but this is the first course I take directly with UBC. I studied Education in a Jesuit University here in Mexico and I’ve been working in Education for about eight years now. I’m currently working in CETYS University, coordinating the Institutional Assessment efforts along with Curriculum Design/Evaluation, as well as teaching basic media and technology use to EFL teachers and Curriculum Design to Education students.
I’ll be reading you around 😉
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