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Thoughts on Ed Tech Startups

After two failed attempts at trying to capture my thoughts in a visual, I'll just be using text. :)

I evaluated the ed tech startups listed on the website according to the things that are most important to me in education right now.  These three criteria and a brief explanation of each are listed below along with the startups I felt directly supported those ideals.

Personalized Learning
I believe every learner should be able to learn according to their own abilities and what they're ready for.  Instead of putting curriculum on a strict timeline, I picture it as a continuum that every learner moves along at their own pace.
  • Dreambox
  • Knewton
  • Goalbook

Serving Children
While I think advances in higher education are important, the group I'm most concerned about serving are children.  So, I evaluated the ed tech startups listed according to whether or not they were designed to serve a younger population.
  • Class Dojo
  • Dreambox
  • Goalbook
  • Knewton

Non-core Subjects
Core subjects are essential to every learner's success.  However, non-core subjects may be just as vital to success in school because they help learners continue to want to learn.  Thus, I also looked for companies that allow learners to follow their interests and passions.
  • Corecademy
  • Coursera
  • Knewton?
One thing I was looking for but didn't find were programs that aim to reduce seat time.  While the idea of personalized learning often leads to visions of individualized computer programs, I think the best forms of learning also incorporate group work and projects that bring learning to life by giving it a context.

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