This project has come to fruition because of a course in the MET program named ETEC 522: Ventures in Learning Technologies. This course helps to navigate the difficult realm of educational technology and entrepreneurship. From elevator pitches to developing an idea to totality, it has been a journey. The idea for the Cultural Calendar began three years ago when exposure to teaching in other countries demonstrated that the only readily available resources were for Western holidays as well as many experiences in Canadian classrooms where the mix of cultures is wonderful but not all of those students are represented in the holidays that are taught. As a venture pitch, this project is ideal for individuals, school boards, or even governments to invest and collaborate on. This is a valuable tool that would help not only the education industry but, eventually, travel agencies and individual travelers who wish to know when and where holidays will be taking place.
The strengths of this project are the core idea and the growing need for cultural understanding in school settings as well as the background of the founder. The main resource that Nathalie brings to the table is her connection with people around the world and that she is skilled at motivating and corralling people around an idea and seeing that it is developed and created successfully. The project also has a brand identity and design elements that are already developed. The weaknesses of this project are that there is only one person on the team currently and it takes more than one person to make something like this come to life. The venture pitch could also be more direct and speak more to where this fits into the educational technology market, however, apps like this one do not currently exist so it is challenging to define where it belongs in this industry.
Overall, the Cultural Calendar is solving a relatively invisible problem because many people could pretend that it is not needed, but any educator who has spent hours researching a holiday to be able to include one of their students in the classroom knows just how beneficial and incredible this tool would be to use.
Come along this journey to build connections and understanding both locally and globally.
Everyone deserves to feel included and seen in their community, this is just one of the ways to achieve a greater society and set the future generations for success and connection.
The world is a better place when we work together.
References
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British Columbia. Ministry of Education. (n.d.). Diversity in BC schools : a framework. doi:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/kindergarten-to-grade-12/teach/teaching-tools/student-saftey/diversity_framework.pdf
Education Technology Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Sector (Preschool, K-12, Higher Education), By End-user (Business, Consumer), By Type, By Deployment, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030 https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/education-technology-market
Global Cross-cultural Training Industry Research Report, Competitive Landscape, Market Size, Regional Status and Prospect https://www.360researchreports.com/enquiry/request-sample/21769644
Market Reserach Guru. (2023, January 18). GLOBAL EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY (EDTECH) INDUSTRY RESEARCH REPORT 2023, COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE, MARKET SIZE, REGIONAL STATUS AND PROSPECT. Information and Communication Technology. https://www.marketresearchguru.com/global-education-technology-edtech-industry-research-report-2023-competitive-landscape-market-22366101
Senroy, P. (2011, July 21). Cross Cultural and Diversity Quotes. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/cross-cultural-diversity-quotes/