Reflections

This was an excellent opportunity to dig deeper into a device that I have been interested in for a long time. I have had my share of frustrations with Vernier LabQuests and have been looking for better replacement products. When I approached this product before, I thought I had taken a critical look as a teacher, but after having done this evaluation I've realized there is great value in dissecting a business through the viewpoint of an EVA. By doing this I was able to see the weaknesses in the product and actually come up with some reasons why it may not be appropriate for my school. In particular, the idea of commercial grade equipment is incredibly relevant when making purchases in public schools. Not only are there liabilities to consider, but we must purchase everything with durability and longevity in mind.

Even though I have found our LabQuest seems to be clunky and out-dated, they have lasted us for many years with very low breakage. The upfront costs are huge, but buying from an established company allows you to receive better service, repairs and warranty. Vernier also provides much more detailed spec sheets and information regarding their sensors. The biggest realization I had during this process was understanding Vernier's sale model. Ultimately, because the Vernier system is modular if one of the sensors breaks, it does not make the rest of the hardware useless. Only the one sensor needs to be replaced in order to have a fully functional system. I can imagine that with the PocketLab, if one sensor breaks than there is no way to replace that sensor without purchasing an entirely new device.

That being said, I also was able to really dig deep into how good of a sensor system PocketLab actually was. As a teacher of the International Baccalaureate program, it is important that I teach students the concept of accuracy and precision. In fact, students must take these into account when doing their labs. Having looked at the sensors in detail, I am impressed by the quality of sensors offered on the PocketLab system.

Overall, this level of analysis was valuable to understanding the process that educators and the industry takes before purchasing a service or a product. While it's true that we could go to IKEA and buy a chair for cheap, in schools we have to buy products that are designed for commercial use, even if that means it will cost 10x more. This of course should apply in Science equipment as well. This analysis really helped me recognize that. When making these important investing and purchasing decisions, it's critical to ignore the hype and marketing and try to critique the product as objectively as possible.

When it comes to the market pitch, getting the EVA's interest of course is your number one priority. But in order for them to sit down and eventually sign their name on the contract, you have to have the information to undergo their scrutiny and satisfy their concerns.