Entrepreneurial Education

Highlighted topics:

• Creating competence-based learning environment;
• Entrepreneurial Teacher;
• Rocket Science; 
• Pitching;
• Entrepreneurial University;
• Idea Mill.

Creating competence-based learning environment – integration of RDI (research, development, innovation) and learning.

A competence-based learning environment is built through the integration of knowing, doing and being. 

 

The social-cultural knowledge was presented to us as part of the “being” constitution. 

Therefore, UNESCO’s four-pillars of Learning must be integrated in the curriculum.

   

Entrepreneurial Teacher 

Concepts of entrepreneurship, innovation, change and services for business were extensively discussed in pairs, and then in whole group.

As an educator, it was interesting to analyze the strategies used by the lecturers. Their starting point to discuss those topics was by applying a strategy to survey our prior-knowledge. 

All concepts raised were valued and somehow weaved.  

Rocket Science 

Though the use of a group work, we  had to create a service/product to beat our “supposedly strongest competitor”: Virgin Galactic http://www.virgingalactic.com/. 

There were 4 members in our group: Regina, Emily, Torsten and me. 

 

We created what we named “GEM” – Galatic Experience Module. I had to be the team leader, since the lecturer demanded a Brazilian had to. As a team leader, I thought that the first thing I should do was to survey my team’s interest to build a rocket and if it would have any relation to their “dreams”. 

At first, two of them were interested and would pay a large amount of money to have a space trip.

We then started brainstorming about our “dream spaceship”. Very interesting ideas came up. At that point, our ideas originated another acronym that defined our project: SWEEP – Space Wellness and Experience Event Project. Our GEM would sweep you off the ground and would provide you a lifetime wellness experience.

Our concept of wellness was based in six pillars: physical, occupational, social, intellectual, spiritual and emotional wellness. Accordingly, inside the spaceship there would be a room for each area, and all of them would intersect. In the entry, our user would be “scanned”. His personality, likes, dislikes and unconscious wellness desires would be reveled and a customized experience would be programed.

Our project was based on the Quantum Physics. All wellness experience could be carried out, but not all of them could be seen by everyone, only the individual could see and experience. Most of the events could be virtual inside the spaceship, and some would really happen.

Our marketing man, Torsten presented our spaceship. After the construction and presentation, we assessed our process of conceiving the idea. The good points raised were mainly about the teamwork itself: process of creation and construction. Everybody enjoyed the process. The not-so-good points raised were: communication obstacles and the fact that not even one member could get really involved in all steps: 1. Brainstorming, 2. Making it real (constructing), 4. Presenting to the audience. Of course I played a very important  role as a team leader, so I myself took those not-so-good points  into my account.

 

 Pitching Experience

I enjoyed learning about the “Pitching event”. It consists of a brief oral presentation of an idea, in that case it was specifically about an entrepreneur idea.

Although some ideas presented sounded a little naïve, some were really interesting and I guess the main purpose of that kind of event is to encourage students to innovate. Furthermore, the expertises' feedback were truly valuable and will certainly teach a lot to those participants.

 

Lecture: The Entrepreneurial University – Paul Coyle

The lecture presented by Paul Coyle was really interesting. While he was lecturing, I was trying to identify through the probable solutions presented their challenges. 

I guess most of them are somehow similar. 

How can leadership move their institutions to a more entrepreneurial mode? 

Actions must be, again, integrated.

Idea Mill

The Idea Mill was presented as a project in which teams would have to come up with at least 90 ideas. At first, that sounded as something really hard, but the strategies to develop those ideas were then presented.

The following guidance was given:

1.   We had to answer some questions related to: our main services, our users’ needs, what I can do to help users, partnerships I could establish to improve/expand my institution’s services.

2.      After that, we were expected to create questions related to our previous answers.

3.      The group had to discuss the questions and select one single question.

4.      Then, answer the questions - creating ideas/solutions regarding four areas: institution, staff, students and user. 

5. Each member of the group had to write at least 4 ideas (solutions) for each area and pass each sheet (of 4) clockwise on to the next member (As in our group there were 5 members, we had to come up with at least 80 ideas!)

6.      Come up with the ideas.

7.      Select the best ideas.

8.      Select again in groups. Discuss and come up with one single idea to the question.

9.      Through the use of NABC model, we had to create a service/product .

10.  Present the service/product created to the audience.

11.  Audience had to ask questions/give feedback (unfortunately, we did not have enough time for that).

Our question:

• How can we offer services that can increase human capital for social innovation?

Our answer:

• Developing practical social projects and Professional Development Projects which aim to establish a cooperative, creative, problem-solving and innovative environment regarding social issues.

 Our Idea:

• Project Factory