Reflection
This venture pitch assignment caused many a sleepless night. I had a kernel of an idea early on in the course but as the course progressed, I began to question if my idea fit the criteria of this assignment. I really wanted it to and tried to develop it accordingly however, one sleepless night, I was forced to concede that my kernel was not going to grow in to a softball I could pitch over the plate successfully.
Deep reflection, research and a probably more than a little panic brought me back to the story of ‘Mark’. I had composed a letter to the high school special support team about key components of Mark’s IEP and his behaviour intervention strategies at the end of the term to assist them with his transition. (Honestly, I did it more for Mark and his family rather than for them). I came across this document as I was cleaning and organizing my desktop files when the idea of Virtual Angel came to me. I have become very close to Mark’s family and shared their concern for the conditions he was about to find himself in this coming fall. To go from having such great, personal support to none at all is of huge concern to all the people who have worked with him and seen him progress to his current capabilities. I wished deeply that we could keep him with us or find a safer environment where he would continue to receive his support services. I was so frustrated. ‘You’d think that in this day and age our education system would know and do better by these kids!’ I said to my husband. ‘In this day and age’, I thought ‘why don’t we have the technology if we don’t have the manpower?’
Mark needs a good angel on his shoulder watching his emotional state, cuing his relaxation techniques, talking him down when he gets upset, reminding him to step away and take a moment to compose himself, or to get help before he takes justice in to his own hands. All the little things his E.A. and I would do without even thinking about it. It was just part of our routine, as easy as a simple look with minimal disruption to the social environment. Why couldn’t we make him one?
This venture pitch gave me the opportunity to explore the ‘what if’ side of today’s technology. I had to return back to the beginning of the semester to review our early readings to structure the pitch and make sure I addressed all the elements. I used the ‘what to do and not to do’ video while still trying to make this a personal expression of my vision. I research passed assignments from previous editions of the course and reflected on what I liked and what I didn’t. I used the CUBE!
I have learned that I may not a venture capitalist. I am not driven by the need to create the next big thing. My motivations are more altruistic. As a result, I struggled with the financial aspect of how to get someone to invest in this venture. I tried to appeal to a non-profit venture model. I know that I have worked hard to understand how to structure a elevator and venture pitch and can appreciate how difficult the real world of innovation must be.
My business head struggled to balance with my teaching heart. I want my students to succeed long after they’ve left my class. I want to arm them for the world. I want them to continue to fulfill their potential regardless of the hand they’ve been dealt. Why not set them up for success? I want Virtual Angel to become a thing of reality.
Deep reflection, research and a probably more than a little panic brought me back to the story of ‘Mark’. I had composed a letter to the high school special support team about key components of Mark’s IEP and his behaviour intervention strategies at the end of the term to assist them with his transition. (Honestly, I did it more for Mark and his family rather than for them). I came across this document as I was cleaning and organizing my desktop files when the idea of Virtual Angel came to me. I have become very close to Mark’s family and shared their concern for the conditions he was about to find himself in this coming fall. To go from having such great, personal support to none at all is of huge concern to all the people who have worked with him and seen him progress to his current capabilities. I wished deeply that we could keep him with us or find a safer environment where he would continue to receive his support services. I was so frustrated. ‘You’d think that in this day and age our education system would know and do better by these kids!’ I said to my husband. ‘In this day and age’, I thought ‘why don’t we have the technology if we don’t have the manpower?’
Mark needs a good angel on his shoulder watching his emotional state, cuing his relaxation techniques, talking him down when he gets upset, reminding him to step away and take a moment to compose himself, or to get help before he takes justice in to his own hands. All the little things his E.A. and I would do without even thinking about it. It was just part of our routine, as easy as a simple look with minimal disruption to the social environment. Why couldn’t we make him one?
This venture pitch gave me the opportunity to explore the ‘what if’ side of today’s technology. I had to return back to the beginning of the semester to review our early readings to structure the pitch and make sure I addressed all the elements. I used the ‘what to do and not to do’ video while still trying to make this a personal expression of my vision. I research passed assignments from previous editions of the course and reflected on what I liked and what I didn’t. I used the CUBE!
I have learned that I may not a venture capitalist. I am not driven by the need to create the next big thing. My motivations are more altruistic. As a result, I struggled with the financial aspect of how to get someone to invest in this venture. I tried to appeal to a non-profit venture model. I know that I have worked hard to understand how to structure a elevator and venture pitch and can appreciate how difficult the real world of innovation must be.
My business head struggled to balance with my teaching heart. I want my students to succeed long after they’ve left my class. I want to arm them for the world. I want them to continue to fulfill their potential regardless of the hand they’ve been dealt. Why not set them up for success? I want Virtual Angel to become a thing of reality.
References
CDC. (2014) Autism Data and Statistic. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
Porter, D & Vogt, D. (2014) 'The Cube', ETEC 522 Ventures in Learning Technologies, University of British Columbia. Retrieved from: http://etec522m.sites.olt.ubc.ca/stage2/cube-introductions/
Shore, D. (2011) New Ventures BC ‘Seminar 8: Perfecting Your Pitch’. Simon Frasier University. Retrieved from: http://vimeo.com/24813502
Skok, M. (2013) Four Steps to Building a Compelling Value Propostion, Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelskok/2013/06/14/4-steps-to-building-a-compelling-value-proposition/
Porter, D & Vogt, D. (2014) 'The Cube', ETEC 522 Ventures in Learning Technologies, University of British Columbia. Retrieved from: http://etec522m.sites.olt.ubc.ca/stage2/cube-introductions/
Shore, D. (2011) New Ventures BC ‘Seminar 8: Perfecting Your Pitch’. Simon Frasier University. Retrieved from: http://vimeo.com/24813502
Skok, M. (2013) Four Steps to Building a Compelling Value Propostion, Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelskok/2013/06/14/4-steps-to-building-a-compelling-value-proposition/
Images
Photos used are in the public domain and labeled for reuse:
Photos of individuals are the property of Colleen Ruddy
- Angel Sensor on Indigogo, Retrieve from: http://lncdeslet.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/20130915053202-01.jpg
- Angel Wings by Angyal Szárnyak Szárnyak Tollak Retrieved from : http://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2014/03/25/15/23/angel-wings-296653_640.png
- GetPebble Retrieve from: https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0jBHh5grh-sa5Ob-pV44l5KgeR4RZdQbOtVL1bGQ3mOhcUtDvYQ
- Google Glass Retrieve from: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9cja7QqQXjwfKyUgxixjyICNk3mjmKAReL9VmXs6fBHT0WdWk
Photos of individuals are the property of Colleen Ruddy
Music
Silver, used with permission from Mobygratis