Digital to REAL

Computer Science Entrepreneurs

I would like to tinker with the idea of creating software development entrepreneurs. I have done some of this the past two years so I believe that this would be interesting and engaging for the students as well as profitable. (Maybe, using the profits, we could celebrate with a class outing.) This would also help our community of learners, parents and educators. This idea also would adhere to REAL standards.

The experience would be that the students would be responsible for the development of educational software that could be used by elementary school students. The class would be divided into teams with each team responsible for a different component.

• The first component is the user requirements phase. This phase would require the students to interview teachers, parents and even the students to ascertain what type of software is most needed. (Which learning concept do these students need to know?) Also during this phase they would determine the requirements and basic structure of the program. (Will it be a game or drill and practice or something else?) The entrepreneurs could use a Wiki site to update the user requirements for the software.
• The second component is the design phase. The students could work with the advanced art department graphics designers and music department and design the screen components, animation, music and other visual features. The tecnology used here would be the internet, cd burners and midi technology. Also students might find volunteers in the community to help with the project. The final design would be approved by the elementary teachers and students.
• The third component is the coding phase. The students would write the actual code for the program using the computer. Extensive testing would be done before the next phase.
• The fourth component is the user testing phase. The students would organize a small test team consisting of elementary parents, students and teachers that would completely test the program and make recommendations for improvement.
• The final component is the roll out phase. Here the students would roll out the final product to the pilot school and then market it to other elementary schools in the US. This phase would require good salesmanship and marketing skills and solid accounting of funds in order to determine profit. Also during this time ongoing management would be going on to improve the software to meet changing needs of the customer.

The students could develop a website to advertise the software and could even set up an online version of the software and deliver it that way. We could have a media relations team that would be responsible for delivering press releases to the papers and TV. Blog sites could be used for team communication as well.

Last Spring we did this on a small scale where the teams created fun educational software geared towards elementary school children. Then the teams were judged by guest judges from the school and community. It was a positive experience for all. Now we can take it one step further and develop our own software entrepreneurs. Bill Gates watch out!!!

posted by Mr. Don @ 9:30 PM