Hello all! Here is my elevator pitch. An…
Hello all! Here is my elevator pitch. And here is the entire venture proposition! Kristopher
Continue reading Hello all! Here is my elevator pitch. An… Posted in: Week 13: Venture Forum
Kristopher
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Kristopher
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Kristopher
Wikipedia
I have been having fun with Ghostery– visiting all sorts of pages and finding out who is tracking what. Wikipedia doesn’t have even one tracker it seems… and there was this message (about funding, but interesting all the same): Google might have close to a million servers. Yahoo has something like 13,000 staff. We have […]
Continue reading Wikipedia Posted in: Week 12: Social Analytics-
Julie S
The Ghostery was a really good activity but I must say it’s freaking me out a bit. I think I’ve now gotten up to about 12 trackers on a single site. Yikes. I knew about the trackers before this exercise but I had no idea that there would be this many or that the News sites seem to be the worst. So far, the Vancouver Sun has been the single worst in terms of number of trackers.
I was so happy to see this post about Wikipedia and sure enough I went there and there are no trackers. Sweet! I will be surprised if they can keep the model up much longer. I’m not sure how long the donation model will continue to work.
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kstooshnov
Hi Julie,
I am still a bit in the dark with what Ghostery will be doing about the websites I’ve been visiting (since I have been floating between four different computers this week to get assignment 3 done, I’m not expecting to find out anytime soon). I suspect that it is indicating that Wikipedia is on its way out, if it still #5 on the hit list, but not a single tracker. It would be a shame to see Wikipedia have to break its own rule about ads to bump their brand up the hit list. One excellent account of how Wikipedia beat Encyclopedia Britannica (and their fledgeling website) appears in Don Tapscott and Anthony D. WIlliams’ Wikinomics. A must read for digital venturists!
Kyle
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Julie S
Thanks Kyle – I have that book 🙂 Read it a while back but I think I might read it again after this term is done. I remember it being a really good read.
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Kristopher
A4 Venture
The Venture This is an open, online course in learning analytics; from the syllabus: “Learning and Knowledge Analytics 2011 is a conceptual and exploratory introduction to the role of analytics in learning and knowledge development. Most of the topics do not require advanced statistical methods or technical skills. Topics covered during the six-week course will introduce […]
Continue reading A4 Venture Posted in: Week 12: Social Analytics-
Deb Kim
Hi Kristopher,
I agree with you that “there must be training and research that goes into understanding this new breadth of data”. As there are many limitations of social analytics, we educators and students, or audience in general require time to digest what social analytics are and what they do before using it. As it says in the Week 12 blog, “social analytics requres skillful analysts to statistically test findings to determine their significance, and to offer meaningful interpretations and explanations of them”. It took a while for me to understand what social analytics is. Although I understand what it is now, I still don’t see it very useful. In a teacher’s perspective, it would be useful for assessing students’ performances. But in a student’s perspective, I’m concerned about privacy issues that come with it. I personally feel uncomfortable that other people see my performance.Deb
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Kristopher
A2 Week 12
Hi all, There is a huge potential for design practices with learning and social analytics. I found it interesting the connection between analytics and assessment for learning; as educators, we are constantly assessing our students for the purpose of improving learning. This is ongoing, can be formal or informal, and much of what we receive […]
Continue reading A2 Week 12 Posted in: Week 12: Social Analytics-
Allie
I definitely agree that the danger lies in thinking of these analytics as an ‘answer’ rather than one tool in a box. One of the worrying things for me with some of the analytics tools is how easily they can fit into the ‘no child left behind’ mode of assessing student, teacher and school performance. We wanted to include the Klout example because it does demonstrate how analytics isn’t the appropriate tool for measuring all kinds of social and qualitative things.
I thought that this week’s focus forms such a stark contrast to project-based assessments from a couple weeks back. They’re apparently so contrasting that i’m tempted to ferret out the points of contact between them.
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Everton Walker
Allie,
Interesting post comparing the two. We accepted PBA with opened arms but now we are having concerns about learning analytics. I just think we need to be more open-minded when embracing new ventures while ensuring that personal and critical information is protected.
Everton
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Kristopher
Day 2
m-Learning Device The current mobile device that I use is the iPhone. I am consistently blown away by its capability throughout my day to day life and how it makes things considerably simpler. I have used my iPhone for courses in the past. I find that like Koole notes, it allows for the learner to […]
Continue reading Day 2 Posted in: Week 11: Mobiles-
David William Price
Very interesting.
You talk about authentic learning and real problems. How has your mobile changed the way you use what you’ve learned in the “real world”? I mean beyond re-reading material and actually applying it, coaching or guiding yourself with the mobile?
How do you think you might share your mobile in groups for learning activities? How might you use it for collaboration? How do you feel about “staying connected” to material through reading and commenting on this blog while you’re on the move and taking breaks at work?
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Kristopher
Hi David,
When I mention using the learning in the real world, it is because the content (that I have interacted with an learned with) is at my finger tips. When I look at introducing e-learning in our organization, I am able to pull out the cube analysis in our boardroom and add value to the discussion by providing a framework that I am familiar with to the discussion. It is only because that analysis was available to me that it was able to enhance the discussion. Does that make sense?
I am not sure I understand that second question regarding sharing my mobile. It think the essence of the mobile is that it is a one-to-one device where the learner can focus on that which applies to him/her specifically. In terms of collaboration, again, the learner can focus on what is important to him/her, while still having available (from anywhere)( these other incredible resources in colleagues. Mobiles give us not only a library-in-the-pocket, but essentially people-in-the-pockets.
Kristopher
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David William Price
Nice follow-up.
You give a great example for both of my questions.
First, you use your mobile as a performance support to help you apply what you’ve learned within a problem situation (a cube analysis).
Second, you “share” the mobile in the sense of sharing that information with a group of people in the boardroom. You could easily pass it around so people can see the diagram of the cube. I’ve had people pass me an iPad with a decision-making matrix on it as a PDF. I’ve read articles about people learning languages (Kanji, English) on mobiles they either share within a family, or share within a learning group where the learning activity requires passing the mobile around.
The mobile is small and easy to share. It’s a tool groups can interact with… a tool that can guide and scaffold interactions, much the way you used your mobile to guide and scaffold a cube analysis in your boardroom.
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Kristopher
Day 1
Hi all, Currently I use my mobile phone for school in a variety of ways. I find that much of the MET program focuses on interacting with our colleagues, which requires a degree of connection. Luckily, due to the nature of the program, we are all fairly well connected and skilled at using the technologies […]
Continue reading Day 1 Posted in: Week 11: Mobiles-
Deb Kim
Hi Kristopher,
I also use my mobile phoen for school. I recently added the ETEC 522 blog as a favourite to my iPhone and it’s been very handy as I can have easy access to it anywhere I want.
Deb
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David William Price
Very interesting… your mobile helps you make the most of your “waiting time”.
One of the tricks I’ve adopted to eliminate frustration when “waiting” for people, is to never actually “wait”. Instead I ensure I have something to do. When people show up, it’s a pleasant surprise.
I find a similar experience on the metro. My commute is 30 mins. If I work on my iPad or my MacBook Air (doing readings, grading assignments, or sharing my iPad to draw pictures with my partner) time flies by.
I suspect mobile would do the same for me. During my prep for this week I’ve found that mobile (beyond drill and kill) requires a whole different way of thinking about learning. If I used my mobile to record my audio thoughts rather than waiting to get home, I’d capitalize more on my ideas instead of forgetting them. I’m not sure why I don’t take more pictures of things that interest me to share with others… some of it is how to transfer the images to the computer. I’m not sure where my old cable is.
Mobile offers a lot… it seems most of us are waiting for an easy solution that makes everything magically happen, at an affordable price. iOS, Android and the cloud seem to be making that happen. Some of our posters note that they have 6GB data plans and seem comfortable with the pricing.
It’s probably time for me to explore this a little more deeply in my own life.
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hall
Hi Kristopher
I have never thought of the idea that I could use my phone to interact with my classmates in this course. Thank you for sharing your ways of using your phone. It was very informative. It is clear that technology can allow us to use our phones for many tasks apart from mere communication (audio).
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Kristopher
Hi all!
I have also found one of the dangers of mobile technology (and m-learning somewhat formalizes this) is creating a no-down-time feel for us as learners. As learners we need time to reflect, the see things differently, etc. By having our learning constantly in our pockets for that 4-minute wait time, we might create a high-octane tunnel vision that doesn’t allow for ‘smelling the roses’. My screen time in the past year has been outrageous. Between school, work, and pleasure it is way to high. I found myself turning on the TV when I was cleaning just so I didn’t have to focus too much on the task at hand. Where is the room for creativity and reflection there?
Thoughts?
Kristopher
PS: David– get into Photostream with iCloud (free with the updates)– it automatically drops any photos taken on your iPhone or iPad and drops them on the computer when connected to a wifi connection…
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David William Price
Great comment!
Mobiles can take us beyond our traditional notions of learning. They can prompt and guide reflection in authentic contexts… for me, reflection is about “Hm… how do I actually use this concept? How do I put it into practice? Where is it being used in the real world… or how might I apply it to real world problems?”
It seems to me the mobile would be a perfect way of prompting and scaffolding that kind of reflection. I really don’t see mobiles as great conduits for doing a lot of reading and exercises… but as performance supports for deeper kinds of thinking and application and evaluation… yes!
Breaking things down into bite size and prompting us to apply them to the world around us, or to situations where we can use them… I think that’s their greatest potential.
Thanks for the tip about Photostream!
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Kristopher
Product Based Assessment coming down the tracks!
Welcome to a daring week of product based assessment, intended to whet your appetite about the potentially rewarding world of PBA and define the market as it emerges.Visit The Plan for more information on how we anticipate the week playing out. Cheers, Andrea, Doug, Kristopher, and Verena
Continue reading Product Based Assessment coming down the tracks! Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 10: Product-Based Assessments -
Kristopher
Discussion 3: Confessions of an Appoholic
Do you think that the ipad lacks ‘information production’ – the word processing capability that we are used to on PCs? There are couple of things to consider about the iPad before I tackle this question: We have been trained to over think and anticipate the needs of PCs. Fewer hardware choices are not a […]
Continue reading Discussion 3: Confessions of an Appoholic Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps-
jarvise
Hi Kristopher,
I think you have hit a very good point here regarding the PC/Apple divide. Often when we hear arguments of not wanting to switch platforms, it is regarding a switch away from PC and towards apple. Perhaps this avoidance of moving to a new platform comes from the long, hard work it took to become masters of the PC world. What is lost here is the ability to learn the new platform in very short order. I think that Apple has appealed (a-peeled haha) to us with their ability to design an interface that is simple and clean (yet still powerful). I also think that with tablets in general, we will start to see a move towards different styles of interaction with our computers. What we can learn from Apple here (even PC people) is that when designing for these new interactions, we keep things clean and simple. I often advise teachers that when trying out a new application to use with students, if they can’t use it in some capacity within 5-10 minutes, then they should forget it. Complexity should be embedded, rather than up front.
Emily
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Jay
Thanks for the post Kristopher,
The number of devices that one can choose from has made the investment decision a lot more difficult. As you pointed out, unless you are looking for a device for a specific purpose (gaming, video or music editing) the “discernible difference” is not a lot. The number of devices to choose from end up complicating the decision as to which product may be the better investment.
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Kristopher
Discussion 2: iPads
Hello, I currently work for a company that (among other things) trains high numbers of the public and workplaces in standard skills. The courses run from one to eight days. The delivery model is basically a third-party delivery model where the participants are taught by training partners. It would be challenging in this environment to […]
Continue reading Discussion 2: iPads Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps-
Deb Giesbrecht
Wow! Sounds like you have lots of educational challenges in front of you.
The mobility of the ipad is certainly one of its main pluses. This enables connection to others in all sorts of circumstances, providing support and the necessary flexibility and facilitation that you describe.
Certainly the challenges are when third party partners are delivering the content to the end user – making control of the material and presentation difficult. The constant change of students combined with changing locations also factor in – but are surmountable if mobility devices are used. A great advantage of not only the ipad but others like the netbook as well.
Thanks for your comments.
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Allie
That sounds *So Interesting*, Kristopher!! As I was imagining the conflict situations through which your (previous) learners are traveling and working, I couldn’t help but think that one really key part of the iPad is that it takes photographs… learners can share photographs which each other, but also that can be an important part of realtime feedback that they can provide to the instruction and facilitation teams.
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Kristopher
Benefits to the Cloud
The biggest benefit to working in the cloud for me is the accessibility of documents and information. In my professional life, I have moved from a time-based work environment, to a much more output/outcome based environment. This means that instead of being required to be in one place, I am just required to meet deadlines […]
Continue reading Benefits to the Cloud Posted in: Uncategorized-
jarvise
…accessibility, and files never get corrupted by being passed through various endpoints.
Emily
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jenaca
Hi Kristopher,
I too find that the biggest benefit to working in the cloud is the accessibility of documents and information. I believe this makes things so easy and organized and when I can’t find a document on my computer, I know where to find it elsewhere.
Jenaca -
bcourey
I too like the accessiblity – I travel so much for work and at times I take my laptop, others I take my netbook, others I just get to use my blackberry – I love how it doesn’t matter what device I have with me, I can access my files..I also love the ease of collaboration with google docs – can’t do that easily by passing attachments back and forth via email.
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mcquaid
Allowing people to study or work in their preferred field but live where they wish is a great advantage… just look at what we all do here together! I also think of my brother, for example, who lives here on PEI, but makes part of his living writing for Marvel Comics. Ten years ago, he never would have been able to stay here and do what he now does.
Even more importantly, it increases the possibilities for people to get ahead professionally. Suddenly, someone with a certain set of skills and training in a poorer or even developing country can make a better life for themselves. It’s an opportunity creator / enabler!
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jarvise 10:19 am on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Clear pitch. I got an idea of what the product is, and the fact that there is a demand for it. No financial stats were provided. However, it was clear that the idea was a solicitation. When I read through your proposal, it was more evident that this was being marketed to schools and teachers. I would be hesitant to invest, as I question whether a school or board would make this enough of a priority to invest in it in today’s cash-strapped market. I like how you have developed this – it may work as a free online sharing space. I question how much buying power teachers have.
Emily
Kristopher 11:25 pm on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Emily!
Thank you for the feedback. I think you identify very valid concerns with the venture. It is something that I would like to provide free of charge, but have had a hard time wrapping my head around not making money on a new venture.
Cheers,
Kristopher
Angela Novoa 1:47 pm on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Kristopher,
I really enjoyed your Elevator and Venture Pitch. Your Venture Pitch seems strategic for investment. It offers an innovative product that meets a real concern for educators. Today, being interconnected and sharing learning experiences around common ideals is a relevant issue to address. I think that you have a target and a market for your product. Your Venture Pitch provides information about the benefits that the product offers and how it is different from other ventures. It clearly shows the competency level of the venture’s leaders and provides an overview of competitors. However, it is not clear how and where buyers will be reached (marketing), how much money is required for investing on the project, and how much or how soon the investor will be recompensed. As an EVA, I would suggest to provide more information about these issues in order to decide whether investing on the product or not. Overall, you have provided an innovative venture and I think that you will capture a large number of clients.
Angela.
Kristopher 11:27 pm on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Angela,
I had a real hard time identifying how much money is required (specifically how to come up with a number); it reminded me a little of Dragon’s Den where someone presents a pitch and then asks for a certain amount of money invested for the exchange of a share of the company– I just wasn’t sure how to crunch those numbers. The result is that it is lacking from my pitch, which serves to weaken the entire pitch.
I am glad that you liked the idea; it was good fun to think it through and try and find an untapped niche. Thanks for the thoughts!
Kristopher
jarvise 11:58 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Kristopher,
I totally agree with having no idea about financial aspects. I did a lot of research in this area, and ended up just doing a quick estimate of what I might need. Doing the projections, though, is tough too. I saw a presentation online where they had a graph showing the growth curves for different types of ventures. I couldn’t for the life of me find that information in all my searching, and the graph in the presentation was blurry so I couldn’t get the reference info on it. I found that aspect of this assignment particularly difficult, and to be honest, I am suspect of the financials I see in other people’s presentations. My spidey sense is attuned to this issue now. It seems that you can get general ideas of growth from similar businesses in the industry you’re targeting, but there is a lot of speculation. As a math teacher, I find it all a little hokey. (but I don’t have a business background – maybe there’s an appropriate technique out there…)
Emily
mcquaid 11:57 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi, Kris.
I liked your logo and overall presentation – some quality work there! It was apparent you put some thought and time into the graphics, including your mock-ups of what the program would look like on devices. My only technical criticisms about the pitch are:
– how the timing of your audio introduction and your pop-up name don’t match
– the slow pan animation blocks the view by times
– sometimes the speech may be a bit hurried
As much as it was well done, slick, and had some great ideas, I couldn’t help but wonder if the same task / job could not be done with other existing (and possibly free programs). What sets this apart from setting up a group on Facebook or Ning? Does it afford anything Moodle wouldn’t? Maybe I just didn’t cull enough information as a viewer, but, after a couple of views, I wondered if the venture was that different from existing things.
Still, all-in-all – a very good, professional pitch!
Cheers,
Stephen
Kristopher 6:50 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks for the feedback Stephen! I decided that because I was doing a mock venture that I should try and make it seem as real as possible, that’s why I spent a little time throwing together the images. I struggled with the audio quite a bit and never was quite happy (I had no idea that reading a script aloud, that the script would have to be so short!).
I have been thinking over your thoughts on other tools doing the same function. I see where you are coming from because I have felt the same about the other ventures that I have read about. I think the uniqueness comes in how you match it to the audience and honestly, how you sell it.
Thanks for the thoughts,
Kristopher
Deb Kim 1:55 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Kristopher,
I love your venture idea. While watching and reading about your venture, I came up with an idea that we can collaborate to create a venture together because your venture idea connects to mine. 🙂
I also value collaboration very importantly. As global learning has been emphasized since education pays its attention to the 21st century learning, why not collaborate globally through network?
Just like others, I liked your logo and presentation. I especially liked your elevator pitch as it grabs the audience’s attention and has all the important information on Think, Act… connect.
I also liked the use of geographic web browsing to display organizations by categories.
You mentioned the annual fee for TAC and I wonder how you’d convince people to purchase your product. I mean, what are some unique features of your product that are different from your competitors?
Deb
Deb
Kristopher 6:58 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Deb,
I am a firm believer that collaboration is the key. The annual fee was a bit of a second thought as I was still very much stuck in the mindset that I needed to make money for the venture to have value; I know that is a fallacy, but it still stuck that I wanted to add something in. In the end, I decided that a collaborative space for an annual fee was a nice way of doing so, but ultimately, that is nothing more than a host server.
Thanks for the thoughts,
Kristopher
andrea 8:16 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Kristopher,
Great concept, and a very polished presentation! Your concept has heart (if that makes sense), and I think everyone can relate to the ideas you present about the value of connecting people and creating a network for local and international citizenship.
You really covered a lot of content in your elevator pitch, and from it I got an excellent picture of your venture. However, I’m kind of a *slow processor* so I needed to listen to it a few times before it really sunk in. I’d like to add to Stephen’s comments about the possibility of doing this same thing with existing tools. Your venture brings together the affordances of a number of tools, but I guess the challenge is making it so convenient or effective that it couldn’t be replicated simply by pulling together the tools independently, and adding value through the unique combination or functionality?
By the way, I thought your venture pitch was really well-written — great flow and had a very straightforward yet business-like tone. 🙂
Andrea
Kristopher 7:00 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hey Andrea,
I struggled with making it sound sincere while still hitting the professional note, but upon listening to it again a couple days later, it sounded wordy and a little confusing– it wasn’t you:) Thanks for the feedback on both pitches!
Kristopher
verenanz 11:03 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Kris!
I love and really apprecaite your idea- as a human. Thank you.
I couldn’t watch your pitch (China) so I read your about your idea. I thought your writing was clear and engaging. I knew exactly what you were selling. Very well done.
I was just at a Free Virtual Conference last week though, on this very topic…they key word being free….I think the App idea is great, but educators are great networkers….I think you alluded to the point that it would not just be for educators though…
Anyway, here is the website on the virtual conference.
http://globaleducation.ning.com/page/2011-conference
I really appreciated your idea!
Verena:)
Kristopher 7:02 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Verena,
I find what you mention here to always be a struggle with teachers specifically: teachers a go-getters, when there is something they need, they seek or create; at the same time, they are overloaded and very busy people. It is tough to create a venture that will speak to the teacher and show value in that it lightens their load, without constraining them or requiring hours and hours to get functional. That was one of the concepts behind my venture.
Thanks for the link! It’s impressive how these things come together and even more so that they can be free. All the best in your travels!
Kristopher
murray12 9:08 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hello Kristopher,
I very much enjoyed reading through your pitch. Your product sounds like a very positive addition to helping to improve the world. I found your writing clearly stated what you’re offering educators, but as an investor I might have some reservations. As someone mentioned before, as an investor I might be worried whether schools would really make the product a priority in their budget. Also, as an educator I may want to be involved in your product, but, as you mention, an already full workload tends to bog teachers down. Perhaps explaining to teachers how your product meets particular PLOs could increase interest (just a thought). Otherwise, a great product for the world, but the lack of facts, figures, and financial strategy might turn me away as an investor.
khenry 6:23 am on December 2, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hello Kristopher,
Well done on your pitch. I also echo comments by McQuaid and Jarvise. However, in terms of attracting investors you could think of targeting investment from NGOs or Government agencies that align themselves with Millennium Development goals, http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home/mdgoverview.html. Your venture rests strongly here. They could be great partners and also carry their own network of persons.
If you wanted to go commercial, then you could think of connecting teachers who develop learning/other ventures within your aims and objectives and market them within TAC. Subscription fees apply and other potential earnings are introduced.
Kerry-Ann
Deb Giesbrecht 4:57 pm on December 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Kristopher – great elevator pitch – loved the graphics and voice over was very clear and concise. Very intrapreneurial concept. I also really like your acronym. You were very calm, cool and collected. You certainly have a very noteworthy cause. Your market is expansive– globally (literally), and you have identified a significant gap in the market and have come up with a very plausible, feasible and doable solution – made me want to learn more. Your venture appears well thought out and researched – certainly something that I would look further into investing. You have identified a few key strengths and demonstrated a concise and clear plan. Excellent job!