Asynchronous 1

Asynchronous Module #1: Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship - The goal of this module will be to introduce teachers to basic concepts of social entrepreneurship. They will engage in ideation and design thinking exercises to prepare them for creating projects at their schools and within the district. They will also be exposed to concepts such as value proposition, customer discovery, and the Business Model Canvas. Participants will also develop an introductory/overview module with individual and group activities for the students to kick-off their social entrepreneurship project(s).

OPENING/OVERVIEW

These activities are meant to prepare you for an experiential hands-on learning environment centered on designing and executing a social entrepreneurial project for your students. Since you all teach many different grade levels please utilize your experience and judgment to fit the content and exercises into the appropriate classroom experience for all diverse learners. Simulations, case studies, off-the-shelf modules, digital programs, etc., simply will not work well in this type of qualitative environment. Students will need to think freely, creatively and critically, brainstorm with peers, communicate with adults and iterate often.

One size does not fit all! This is not formulaic (sorry state standards, lol). Finally, you have to coach but not teach. Let them struggle. They will not feel comfortable at first. They want the answers and quickly. But, they have to think, plan and execute. Build grit and resilience. Not everything will work nor will it fit easily into place. You are pros and know how to think on your feet and beyond the box—that’s the formula for success. I am here to help you succeed during and after this PD.

Bruce Berger MBA, JD

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Entrepreneurship:

• Sell products or services or bundle both = funding

• Focus on profit (explain with simple example of a pencil—cost to sell/profit) and building wealth for themselves, their family and other owners (shareholders)

• Satisfy customer needs

• Grow business by getting more customers and more sales

• Always scan the environment to discover new ways to make more money

Social Entrepreneurship

• Not about focusing on profit or wealth building. Key goal is to fulfill needs of community or society.

• Greater good of society is critical—health, environmental, education, shelter, basic needs (Maslow’s hierarchy for older students)

• Nonprofit means nothing left over after paying all workers and overhead (costs)

• Get grants, donations, sell goods and services = funding

• Breaking even is required (Donation/grants/sales-costs = BE (breakeven point)

View this video on entrepreneurship versus social entrepreneurship.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY TO USE WITH STUDENTS

• In groups, have students identify five entrepreneurial ventures and 5 social entrepreneurial ventures

Differentiation: Provide examples of both and let students sort them.

• Present the list to the class with an explanation to support their decision

MINI-LESSON

Designing a Social Entrepreneurship Project

Watch the following videos:

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY TO USE WITH STUDENTS

• STEP 1: Create Student Design Teams

  • • Make sure your teams are diverse and inclusive

• STEP 2: Design Module for Ideation and Design Thinking

  • • Each team is asked about empathy. What makes you sad or mad about society? The world? Your community? The environment?

    • Teams should discuss these issues

• STEP 3: Empathy Exercise

  • • Each team performs opinion discovery in which each student interviews as many students and adults as they can about their idea.

    • Have students keep a journal of the answers to the following questions:

1) How do you feel about [issue or problem]

2) How do you think we can solve it?

3) What can we do differently or better?

• • • Students should come back to their team to discuss their findings

• STEP 4: Customer Discovery

  • • Each team asks actual customers about what they think of the issue. Use the same questions above and record in their journals.

Fundamentals of social entrepreneurship (business model canvas)

Watch the following videos:

TEAM CHALLENGE

As a team, come up with a future social entrepreneurship model. POST YOUR MODULE LESSON PLAN FOR FEEDBACK by completing this form.

Business Canvas Model

CLOSING

Go to HERE to read one case study on social entrepreneurship that interests you.

Discuss your thoughts with your team on any highlights from that case which might be utilized in getting students to think about their ideation assignments. Add your ideas to this DOTSTORMING by selecting "add a card"