Cathy Fowler
A Mighty Librarian living in the best place on Earth, Vancouver Island.
A3 Year 2 Year Portfolios
By Cathy Fowler on November 27, 2015
My venture is Year 2 Year, the creators of Y2Y Portfolios. This idea grew out of my own experience in MET 590 and through my classroom teaching experience. Y2Y Portfolios would grow with the student, being transferable school to school, district to district year after year. The idea is that they would be embedded within […]
My Library infographic- Piktochart
By Cathy Fowler on November 24, 2015
I created a poster describing what is happening in My Library each day. The images make it easy for even my youngest students to see the options available to them. I liked how easy it was to upload images and icons and drop, re-size and drag into place. Quick to learn and very intuitive!
Week 9 : Activity 3
By Cathy Fowler on November 7, 2015
As noted in other posts the areas with the greatest gaps are K-3, Provides Assessment and Psychomotor skills along with Manage Learner Profile, Provide encouragement, (which I found odd as many of the apps seem to do this) and Evaluate Learner Progress. I think a gap appears on your data when in fact I know […]
Week 8 VICAbc.ca for: Vocational Safety Training
By Cathy Fowler on October 26, 2015
Vancouver Island Construction Association (www.vicabc.ca) Offers a variety of online and f2f vocational safety courses related to the construction industry on Vancouver Island. These online courses provide safety training through videos, interactive modules, scenario-based learning and real world training. Each course provides an overview of the module, the lesson and review of the module. Below […]
5 failed education startups you should study
By Cathy Fowler on October 19, 2015
In preparing for my final project, the Venture Pitch, I wanted to see what made a successful or unsuccessful pitch. I came across this article and found it interesting to read why some of these startups failed, even after receiving some healthy funding. 5 failed education startups you should study Cathy
A1 Analyst Report MinecraftEdu
By Cathy Fowler on October 17, 2015
The key to gaming in education is to provide games that are engaging but go beyond ‘sugar-coating’ the curriculum and provide teachers the opportunity for flexible, competency-based learning experiences. MinecraftEdu does just that. Please see my A1 written in the style of an online blog or journal article. MinecraftEdu: Analyst Report ETEC 522
My Hero Project – Co-founder Karen Pritzker
By Cathy Fowler on September 30, 2015
Image Source: Karen Pritzker [image] Retrieved September 30, 2015 From, http://www.renwomen.com/women-we-are-featuring.html Mission Statement: The mission of The MY HERO Project is to use media, art and technology to celebrate the best of humanity. Learning about heroes from all walks of life helps young people understand their own potential to affect positive change in the world. […]
Cathy Fowler Intro
By Cathy Fowler on September 9, 2015
Hello to all my ETEC 522 ad”venture”rs. My name is Cathy Fowler and this is my 10th and last MET class!! I took ETEC 590 this summer but could not fit in an elective…and I really wanted to take Ventures in Learning Technologies so I delayed finishing until now. I am a Teacher-Librarian at […]

Great App idea, the technology is already available so creating the app using this existing technology makes your App idea definitely workable. Your app is based on sound research and in an area of growth, both in Apps and in AR. I can see many applications for language learning, writing and assisting with communication for students with limited abilities. Google Translate already has the ability to recognize signs and languages and translate using the layer system. My only concern would be item recognition. Items do not always look the same from different perspectives. It will take a long time to upload all the items from different perspectives, angles, sizes, shapes, colours etc. for the app to locate the target image within its directory. Having created a Layar and Aurasma content I know that the target image has to be identifiable, which means sometimes manipulating the item until the camera recognizes it. What was your ASK?I would imagine much of the time and money would be in the creation of the target image database. Overall a good presentation. Apps are definitely a growing trend in the EDU technology world.
Great App idea, the technology is already available so creating the app using this existing technology makes your App idea definitely workable. Your app is based on sound research and in an area of growth, both in Apps and in AR. I can see many applications for language learning, writing and assisting with communication for students with limited abilities. Google Translate already has the ability to recognize signs and languages and translate using the layer system. My only concern would be item recognition. Items do not always look the same from different perspectives. It will take a long time to upload all the items from different perspectives, angles, sizes, shapes, colours etc. for the app to locate the target image within its directory. Having created a Layar and Aurasma content I know that the target image has to be identifiable, which means sometimes manipulating the item until the camera recognizes it. What was your ASK?I would imagine much of the time and money would be in the creation of the target image database. Overall a good presentation. Apps are definitely a growing trend in the EDU technology world.
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- in reply to A3- VIVIDWORKS app

Hi Dan, I liked the direction you are going with EduHud, however how will it compete with existing products? Wouldn't it be a greater opportunity to embed this kind of technology in an existing AR product? Google Glass, somewhat defunct now could have student information systems uploaded to them, or access it from a server. How much would the product cost for teachers? Who are you marketing to? Teachers? Districts? I agree with you, this concept would be very expensive and a little risky to get off the ground. Your pitch doesn't have an ASK or plan for moving forward. Even if this is a lofty venture, you should have tried to imagine what it might look like. I know Zuckerberg will end up investing about $2 billion in Oculus to get it into the mainstream market.
Hi Dan, I liked the direction you are going with EduHud, however how will it compete with existing products? Wouldn't it be a greater opportunity to embed this kind of technology in an existing AR product? Google Glass, somewhat defunct now could have student information systems uploaded to them, or access it from a server. How much would the product cost for teachers? Who are you marketing to? Teachers? Districts? I agree with you, this concept would be very expensive and a little risky to get off the ground. Your pitch doesn't have an ASK or plan for moving forward. Even if this is a lofty venture, you should have tried to imagine what it might look like. I know Zuckerberg will end up investing about $2 billion in Oculus to get it into the mainstream market.
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- in reply to A3 – EduHUD

Hi Rose, I appreciate your IT's Electric filament concept. I love makerspaces and 3D printing is such a novelty for schools and classrooms. I like that this adds a more creative an educational slant. Most of the 3D printing I have seen is an extension or novelty addition in education and not really a necessary component, in other words, fluff. This would extend the use and purpose of investing in these expensive tools. I did have to listen to your pitch twice to understand what you are selling. The average person may not know that the plastic that is used to create a 3D image is called a filament or that you are adding something not previously available for 3D printing. It is not clear that you are providing a product for an existing range of products, that you do not need to purchase new tools if you already have the 3D printing pen or a 3D printer. I would invest, just so I could try the filament out at our community makerspace, as our school will probably never have a 3D printer!
Hi Rose, I appreciate your IT's Electric filament concept. I love makerspaces and 3D printing is such a novelty for schools and classrooms. I like that this adds a more creative an educational slant. Most of the 3D printing I have seen is an extension or novelty addition in education and not really a necessary component, in other words, fluff. This would extend the use and purpose of investing in these expensive tools. I did have to listen to your pitch twice to understand what you are selling. The average person may not know that the plastic that is used to create a 3D image is called a filament or that you are adding something not previously available for 3D printing. It is not clear that you are providing a product for an existing range of products, that you do not need to purchase new tools if you already have the 3D printing pen or a 3D printer. I would invest, just so I could try the filament out at our community makerspace, as our school will probably never have a 3D printer!
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HI Julie, From your elevator pitch I am not sure what the product is. The Elevator pitch needed to be 1 minute and the presentation no more than 8 minutes. I struggled with these issues as well but being concise was part of the challenge. What device will teachers use to access the VR content, you are assuming that schools will have VR technology. My school doesn't even have a student-use computer in every classroom, never mind a device for Virtual Reality. Cardboard needs a device with specific specs to work effectively, I've tried it and only some devices work well enough to make it worthwhile. We would have to purchase the right device for each cardboard unit. I am all for VR resources, I think it is the direction technology is heading. Will teachers be able to create their own resources or request the resources? How will your resources provided individualized learning? How will you predict what the needs of my class will be? I love the idea of a database of VR resources but I agree with the others that $100,000 would not get this project off the ground.
HI Julie, From your elevator pitch I am not sure what the product is. The Elevator pitch needed to be 1 minute and the presentation no more than 8 minutes. I struggled with these issues as well but being concise was part of the challenge. What device will teachers use to access the VR content, you are assuming that schools will have VR technology. My school doesn't even have a student-use computer in every classroom, never mind a device for Virtual Reality. Cardboard needs a device with specific specs to work effectively, I've tried it and only some devices work well enough to make it worthwhile. We would have to purchase the right device for each cardboard unit. I am all for VR resources, I think it is the direction technology is heading. Will teachers be able to create their own resources or request the resources? How will your resources provided individualized learning? How will you predict what the needs of my class will be? I love the idea of a database of VR resources but I agree with the others that $100,000 would not get this project off the ground.
As Victoria and Roma mentioned there are some issues with the Power Point. I like the idea of resources for nurses to track their credentials, I am sure this idea could spread to other industries and professions. Even as a teacher I have to keep all my certificates and professional development somewhere...and usually forget where. I also agree with the acronym issue: CPR. I don't think you could use it actually. I am sure there is a patent somewhere and investors would be hesitant based on that. It appears you did your research and know the needs of your market well. What would you estimate the yearly fee to be? Would it be paid by the employer or individual? Thanks for sharing your perspective and knowledge of this issue in nursing.
As Victoria and Roma mentioned there are some issues with the Power Point. I like the idea of resources for nurses to track their credentials, I am sure this idea could spread to other industries and professions. Even as a teacher I have to keep all my certificates and professional development somewhere...and usually forget where. I also agree with the acronym issue: CPR. I don't think you could use it actually. I am sure there is a patent somewhere and investors would be hesitant based on that. It appears you did your research and know the needs of your market well. What would you estimate the yearly fee to be? Would it be paid by the employer or individual? Thanks for sharing your perspective and knowledge of this issue in nursing.
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- in reply to CPR: Competency Practice Record for Nurses

Definitely an area not explored and needing a boost! My concern as a teacher is finding other teachers to pledge money to me for nothing in return. Once the field trip resource is created, can it be used with or without the pledges? If the pledge amount is not met does the resource disappear? Is the resource created before or after the pledging begins? If I set my own challenge, who determines if it is complete? Do you simply rely on the crowd to determine it worth? I do like the idea of teachers sharing their ideas, you have obviously started me questioning how this could work! Thanks.
Definitely an area not explored and needing a boost! My concern as a teacher is finding other teachers to pledge money to me for nothing in return. Once the field trip resource is created, can it be used with or without the pledges? If the pledge amount is not met does the resource disappear? Is the resource created before or after the pledging begins? If I set my own challenge, who determines if it is complete? Do you simply rely on the crowd to determine it worth? I do like the idea of teachers sharing their ideas, you have obviously started me questioning how this could work! Thanks.
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- in reply to A3 – incentivED

HI Roma, I am not sure exactly what you are selling. A specialized character development unique to my needs or the devices and software, or all of it? I like the idea of character development specific to my needs I can see the relevance for industry and training as well as for the education sector. The Star Ward tie in in your elevator pitch was great, though I had a hard time reading all of the info in the scrolling words. Very innovative and cutting edge venture opportunity.
HI Roma, I am not sure exactly what you are selling. A specialized character development unique to my needs or the devices and software, or all of it? I like the idea of character development specific to my needs I can see the relevance for industry and training as well as for the education sector. The Star Ward tie in in your elevator pitch was great, though I had a hard time reading all of the info in the scrolling words. Very innovative and cutting edge venture opportunity.
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- in reply to Asseticity

Great idea for combining a LMS, online courses and service provider in one. If your product was a part of a career search site it would be a one-stop shop. I really like the addition of English language learning as part of your training to attract a previously untouched market of employees. I like the magazine format as well, I guess you have to pay to have the watermark removed...no big deal it still looks great.
Great idea for combining a LMS, online courses and service provider in one. If your product was a part of a career search site it would be a one-stop shop. I really like the addition of English language learning as part of your training to attract a previously untouched market of employees. I like the magazine format as well, I guess you have to pay to have the watermark removed...no big deal it still looks great.
What an exciting new product. I can see this product fitting well into the UDL criteria. So many applications for its use and so many students that can benefit from using Nano Interactive Papers. I hope to see this product available soon! Great presentation, very knowledgeable on the product and market.
What an exciting new product. I can see this product fitting well into the UDL criteria. So many applications for its use and so many students that can benefit from using Nano Interactive Papers. I hope to see this product available soon! Great presentation, very knowledgeable on the product and market.
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- in reply to A3: Nano Interactive Paper

HI Daniel, great product. I like that it is something you are using and sharing and having success with. We are using MyEdBc (with all its glitches) and it has all these capabilities built in. A calendar, reporting, day-planner, student management and information system. I am not a huge fan of MyEdBC yet... I like the simplicity of what you have created.
HI Daniel, great product. I like that it is something you are using and sharing and having success with. We are using MyEdBc (with all its glitches) and it has all these capabilities built in. A calendar, reporting, day-planner, student management and information system. I am not a huge fan of MyEdBC yet... I like the simplicity of what you have created.
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- in reply to A3 – Stringwood Student Information System
