My learning and funding

MyLearning project Martin Bazley Peter Pavement 26 Nov 2010

Overview
Martin Bazley & Associates commissioned by Renaissance Yorkshire to explore options for sustaining and developing MyLearning project
Currently about half-way through
Next stage is trialling new ways of creating content and exploring fund-raising options in detail
Comments and suggestions warmly welcomed!

MyLearning
Resources created by museums and others (content providers), for schools
Content providers create their own ‘learning journey’ online resources using a dedicated CMS
www.MyLearning.org

Current
Content providers are trained by core team in how to use the CMS
Templates also provide guidance
MyL team monitor and offer feedback

Outline of recommendations - editorial
Widen scope nationally, in terms of:
area of production of resources and
promotion to teachers – but hold off until critical mass achieved

Focus output more strongly on curriculum provision and needs of teachers
Adopt commissioning approach: MyLearning team author the learning resources using assets and material provided by content providers
Replace up-front training by action-learning: content providers learn through involvement in development process

Review and optimise structure of online learning resources in light of continuing research into teachers’ needs and preferred ways of working

Improve searchability and findability of assets (images, videos, audio, interactives, sheets etc) through:
enrichment of metadata and
configuration of Google site search
Optimise existing and explore new ways of disseminating and promoting awareness and use of online learning resources

Aims and SMART objectives: monitor and review effects of changes on motivation and engagement among content providers, quality of resources, uptake by teachers etc

Outline recommendations - business planning
Renaissance income expected for next year or two at least, but reduced.
Recruit freelancer to assist with fundraising

Outline recommendations - business planning
Adopt income pipeline approach to fundraising – target larger number of smaller funds.
Review activity for cost reduction and improvement opportunities

Income pipeline
Like GANTT charts for project management income (or sales) pipeline helps forecast income and manage contacts.
Aim is to predict the income over a period of time by categorising
potential income sources and
their probability of coming to fruition.

Income pipeline
For example, all prospects for funding could be classified as follows:
Opportunity - a funding programme that is suitable for My Learning
In discussion – contact made with funding body
Proposal stage - proposal underway - discussions continue
Awaiting decision - proposal has been submitted
Awarded – funding secured

Income pipeline Category Number Value Opportunities 10 £1,200,000 In discussion 7 £200,000 Proposal stage 5 £120,000 Awaiting decision 3 £70,000 Awarded 2 £40,000

Category Number Value Likelihood Income Opportunities 10 £1,200,000 2% £24,000 In discussion 7 £200,000 10% £20,000 Proposal stage 5 £120,000 20% £20,000 Awaiting decision 3 £70,000 50% £35,000 Awarded 2 £40,000 100% £40,000 Total £139,000

Mixed economy
The most successful income generation strategy is likely to involve a mixed economy :
Public
Grant funding
Revenue income

Income generation - Advertising
AdSense network www.google.com/adsense
Display advertising networks for example Adify www.adify.com/adify-united-kingdom
other media organisations or companies can put together advertising packages by theme and then syndicate ads to a network of sites.
For example: Guardian’s Diversity Ad Network - http://www.guardian.co.uk/ad-networks/diversity

Income generation - Subscriptions
Schools – have money, but inconvenience can put them off – also can just go elsewhere
Need a really significant offer, or something literally not available elsewhere (Bridgeman Art Library for example)

Income generation - Services
Consultancy
Web development service
Etc
Also affiliate marketing, etc

Fund raising takes time and effort
Ways of fund raising in small organisation:
take on additional freelancer on % bonus basis or mixed basis (retainer plus commission)
use agency (potentially more reliable / sustainable but may not be economic)
build up skills within core team – commission freelancer for say 6 months to fund raise and mentor

Guidance and info
Pipeline
Further information is available on www.businesslink.gov.uk on sales forecasting and other techniques: http://bit.ly/couAYW
www.smartsheet.com is an online service that may be helpful.
Fund-raising for non-profit:
www.fundraising.co.uk
www.financehub.org.uk

Contact: Martin Bazley www.martinbazley.com

Google Analytics preliminary data analysis
There is a bias to Yorkshire & Humber but national usage is close to the overall population picture. Smaller Yorkshire population centres feature often in the "long tail" of usage but numbers are not high.

Interestingly there's nearly 1 visit for every 1000 head of population for these top 10 centres. 1 visit for every 5000 is from a school. A very good "reach".

In conclusion, expanding the remit to a national service would not be a huge hurdle - that audience has already found you!

My learning and funding

by Museums Computer Group on Dec 02, 2010

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My learning and funding — Presentation Transcript