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Marc Bodnick
Historically, decisions involving educational purchases and resource allocations have been made by parties who don't have a massive, universal incentive to maximize student learning: (1) tech-averse bureaucracies -- school boards and school districts -- and (2) various other school system decision-makers.
These traditional decision-makers move slowly, often have multiple agendas, have entrenched interests around current educational models / structures, and are reluctant to embrace technology, especially disruptive technology. They are also very reluctant to experiment and are hyper-focused on the downside of experimentation.
Having said this, parents are the one group with a massive incentive to improve the education of children. The good news is that parents are becoming increasingly empowered to impact a child's learning with technology products. As mobile penetration increases (smartphones, touch / kid-friendly devices like iPads, etc.) and innovation in Web and mobile learning products explodes, parents of young children will spend more and more $$ on products directly, disintermediating the educational system. This will create more of a Darwinian marketplace where great products are rewarded bigtime.
This trend may convert the education technology market from a "non-profit enterprise market" (i.e., where it's been historically) into a straight consumer market where great products don't need lots of political help to attract lots of direct parent $$.
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Historically, decisions involving educational purchases and resource allocations have been made by parties who don't have a massive, universal incentive to maximize student learning: (1) tech-averse bureaucracies -- school boards and school districts -- and (2) various other school system decision-makers.
These traditional decision-makers move slowly, often have multiple agendas, have entrenched interests around current educational models / structures, and are reluctant to embrace technology, especially disruptive technology. They are also very reluctant to experiment and are hyper-focused on the downside of experimentation.
Having said this, parents are the one group with a massive incentive to improve the education of children. The good news is that parents are becoming increasingly empowered to impact a child's learning with technology products. As mobile penetration increases (smartphones, touch / kid-friendly devices like iPads, etc.) and innovation in Web and mobile learning products explodes, parents of young children will spend more and more $$ on products directly, disintermediating the educational system. This will create more of a Darwinian marketplace where great products are rewarded bigtime.
This trend may convert the education technology market from a "non-profit enterprise market" (i.e., where it's been historically) into a straight consumer market where great products don't need lots of political help to attract lots of direct parent $$.
See Questions On Quora
Continue reading...
