Entrepreneurship
and Everyday Technology
HOW IT WORKS
In Entrepreneurship
and Everyday Technology, students, under the
facilitation of a business education teacher, create
and run a business using technology to bring a hand-made
product to market. Potential products include scented
soaps, picture frames, decoupage boxes, or chocolates.
The students work individually as well as cooperatively
in pairs and in small groups. They learn principles
of marketing, advertising, research, and bookkeeping
as well as everyday computer applications, and create
business cards, brochures and flyers, and even write
advertising jingles.
When the class begins, the teacher
assesses the individual skills of the students and
pairs them up to help refine their computer skills
as well as discover unique talents that might come
to bear on the student-chosen projects (for example,
if a student is discovered to have a talent for
drawing, the class can encourage him/her to create
a logo or visual ad campaign for this project).
The students work on computers together, reciprocally
teaching. Those with advanced skills can explore
more complex levels of design and graphs and charts.
Beginner-level students learn the basics and create
simpler designs. All are expected to participate
and create, and are judged not competitively, but
by individual effort and participation as well as
their ability and desire to work as part of a team.
Accountability is a large part of the criteria for
accomplishment.
THE STUDENTS
A maximum of twenty-five students and a minimum
of ten can participate in this program per term.
Prior technological experience is not necessary,
but it helps to have students familiar with basic
computer skills. Ideally, students meet in a computer
lab, but they can also use some class time in another
room with work tables.
THE STAFF
Allison Witty has a teaching background in business,
marketing, and math. She has run mathematics workshops
for the Manhattan Superintendent’s office and has
also conducted business workshops in her school.
WHAT YOU NEED
The ideal setup is for the class to have time in
a computer lab. Each semester, about $300.00 covers
the cost of supplies to make the products that are
sold.
OVERALL VALUE
In Entrepreneurship and Everyday Technology, students
develop and increase their sense of involvement
because they actually participate in the process
from its inception to the final realization of their
goals. They choose a product that they will research
and for which they will gather resources, create,
and then learn the requisite skills to commit themselves
to owning and operating that business. This program
has proven to be an asset to the entire school community
as those not involved in the program reap the benefits
by purchasing products made and/or made available
by the student employees. It brings a sense of community
and improved morale of staff, administration, and
students. |