Applying Decision Models to Schools
September 18, 2008
This was posted on my old education policy blog, EdPol, on May 22, 2006.
As I was sitting in my decision models class last week, I realized that there is an excellent opportunity to apply optimization models to K-12 educational institutions. The basic idea of a decision model is to optimize a function. For example, in business, we would design a model that maximizes our profit function. This is known as the “objective function.” Next, we need to choose a series of “decision variables” that we can vary. In a business, this could typically be the individual department’s budgets. Finally, the model relies upon a series of “constraints.” In business, this could be fixed proportions of certain units to build a product. For example, if we were a construction company, we might need to buy Y nails for each X pieces of plywood.
In an educational setting, I imagine that the objective function could be maximizing student achievement. The decision variables could be various budget allocations. For example, the decision variables could be class size, teacher quality, curriculums, supplies, textbooks, IT systems, janitors, etc. Finally, the constraints on the system could be the amounts that are budgeted for certain types of activities. The constraints could also include costs of certain curriculums, or restrictions due to union contracts. Another constraint could be if we do not want our class size rising above a certain amount. But the decision model would ultimately optimize all the decision variables to create the best solution given the constraints.
Some businesses use decision models with millions of decision variables and thousands of constraints. I believe that decision models could be applied to making decisions in an educational setting. The textbook that our professor recommended for this class is: The Art of Modeling with Spreadsheets.
I did not even know that decision models existed until a few weeks ago. Yet, I imagine that I have been exposed to more business concepts than the average principal or school administrator. Therefore, I believe that there is a huge opportunity to implement optimization models across all levels of education.
What is Web 2.0?
April 12, 2008
Last week, I met with a Columbia Business School professor to discuss the broad issue: what is web 2.0?
My standard answer: Web 2.0 is a marketing buzzword used to describe a large class of next-generation web applications.
I categorize Web 2.0 into the following sections:
- Personal productivity
- Syndication
- Tagging / Organization
- Online Collaboration
I also believe that Web 2.0 generally emphasizes the following themes:
- Creating and Consuming Information
- Global conversation
- Empowering the individual
- Knowledge sharing / discover
Web 2.0 is intimately tied to the concept of 21st Century Learning.
This PDF briefly describes the framework from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
- Creativity and innovation
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Communication and Collaboration
- Information Literacy
- Communication Literacy
- Technology Literacy
- Flexibility and Adaptability
- Initiative and Self-Direction
- Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
- Productivity and Accountability
- Leadership and Responsibility
It is amazing how fluency in Web 2.0 collaborative tools correlates with the same skill sets required to achieve success in 21st century learning environments.
Using twitter is engaging in a global conversation. Teaching oneself to use ning is the same “initiative and self direction” discussed in 21st century skills. Tools such as Google Docs or Sharepoint are primary platforms for online collaboration. (FYI - A division of Smart Solutions, Collaborative Technology Solutions, specializes in integrating online collaborative tools in the professional services arena.)
At Smart Solutions K-12, we are excited to bring practical solutions to integrating collaborative technologies into the classroom. Technology cannot exist in a vacuum. It must be accompanied by professional development, change management plans, technical leadership, and curricular support.
Our approach posits that educational institutions need a strong technology partner to help usher schools into the 21st Century.
Defending Social Entrepreneurship
March 25, 2008
David Brooks recently wrote an excellent column for the New York Times on social entrepreneurship.
Then my friend, Alexander Russo, popular blogger from Scholastic and formerly from Education Week, had this to say:
The best part of last week’s NYT column on social entrepreneurs is the reference at the end to just how annoying (if hard-working) these folks can be. Indeed. Basically, what’s being described is a fad. Dressed up as something new and shiny, social entrepreneurship isn’t that different from regular old philanthropy and reform. It works outside the system. It’s generally small-scale. It relies on outside funding. There’s an awfully cozy, clubby feel to it. It doesn’t, far as I’ve ever heard, close down failing efforts or even admit to failures like you’d see in the “real” world of venture capital. It doesn’t really have any big successes, measured in terms of broad and positive impact, in education.
In a few words - I totally disagree. Social entrepreneurship is not a fad - it represents a major development in our capitalistic system. Private enterprises have historically solely made decisions based on the interests of its shareholders. In social enterprises, the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account ranging from shareholders to employees to communities to the environment.
B Corporation is a new rapidly growing venture that aims to categorize social enterprises. They represent a legal framework for: “a new type of corporation that are purpose-driven and create benefit for all stakeholders.”
The entrepreneurial thought leaders podcast series has a series of highly talented entrepreneurs, investors, lawyers, and leaders who are shifting to the social enterprise space.
As a personal example, one of my best friends left a lucrative career in the Hedge Fund industry to work at the International Finance Corporation.
The IFC measures return in terms of social and financial return. They incorporate environmental and social factors into their models and allocate capital in ways that do not necessarily yield the highest financial return.
Even five years ago, this would not have been a popular career path.
Business Schools across the country from Northwestern to Harvard to Columbia all have strong and growing social enterprise programs. Again, five years ago, these programs were in their infancy. Now they are mature, popular programs that are attracting a new class of knowledge workers into this space between profit and non-profit.
My good friend from graduate school, Anna Beard, currently works at Wireless Generation. She also started free-reading.net, which is is a real educational success in the social enterprise field.
An emphasis on financial and social return is completely new in our playbook, and appears to be a major development in our capitalistic system.
Monetizing Web 2.0
March 22, 2008
One repeated challenge that we face in the educational technology industry is: how do you monetize Web 2.0?
In the Web 2.0 world, a 21st Century Literacy Specialist from Bangkok can rise to prominence and social networks exist with the sole purpose of integrating technology into the classroom. Therefore, Web 2.0 is not conducive to traditional resellers pitching products.
Also, most services in the Web 2.0 world are free! What does the educational technology business world look like in the era of free tools such as free-reading, ning, pbwiki, twitter, and blogger? Chris Anderson just wrote a major article in Wired about how $0.00 is the Future of Business.
Nobody seems to know the answers yet. Some would argue that monetizing Web 2.0 requires a platform such as Sharepoint. I am confident that there is a platform independent business model to partnering with school districts to bring innovative solutions using free tools.
The only certainty is that the world of IT and education is transforming. Those that do not consider the influx of Web 2.0 will be left in the past.
If you are interested in exploring these questions with me, please do not hesitate to drop me a line, comment on the blog, or message me on Twitter sharing your thoughts.