The document discusses challenges in public education including student disengagement and high teacher turnover. It proposes using game design principles and technology to build engaging learning tools, train and support teachers, and focus on critical thinking skills. The target market is the US education technology industry worth $8 billion annually and the 55 million US students and 3.5 million teachers. It describes target user profiles and outlines Journal Star, a digital writing notebook app designed to simplify writing and increase critical thinking through rubric-based assignments, grading/feedback, and sharing work. Revenue would come from tiered annual teacher subscriptions. Next steps include thought leadership, beta testing with teachers, and raising $50,000 to launch the first two apps.

1. Teachers and learners who live outside of the box

2. 68% of students report being
chronically disengaged in school
and
1 in 2 teachers leave the profession
within their first five years of teaching
CRISIS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION

3. SOLUTION
• Build Simple and Engaging Learning
Tools
• Train and Support Teachers
• Focus on Critical-Thinking and Habits
of Mind for Life-Long Learning
• Reinvent Education using Game Design
Principles

4. TARGET MARKET
• Education Technology Industry Grosses $8 Billion a
Year
• Estimated Annual 3.5% Growth Rate
• 3.5 Million Public and Private School Teachers in the
U.S.
• 55 Million PK-12th Grade U.S. Students
Decision Makers for PK-12 Technology
Purchases
Technology Staff 38.9%
Teachers 28.2%
Other 32.9%

5. TARGET USERS
The Student Teacher
– Inexperienced but will try
new things
– Very impressionable and
learns quickly
– Wants to prove themselves
The Young Teacher
– 1 – 5 years of experience
– Often overwhelmed
– Understands challenges but still
hoping to make a difference
– Open to trying new things
The Innovator
– Early adopter of new
technologies
– Seeks out new things to
experiment with
– Tech evangelist

6. Journal Star
Digital Notebook Optimized for the Classroom
Overview
Journal Star simplifies the
writing process and
leverages gaming
elements to increase
critical thinking in third
through twelfth graders.
Students can free-write in
private or choose to
respond to teacher-
generated prompts.
• Rubric-Centric Assignment Design
• Streamlined Grading and Feedback
Provided Directly Within the App
• Accessible Everywhere Via Desktop and
Mobile Platforms
• Share Student Work With Key
Stakeholders
• Students Find Their Passion and Voice as
Writers
• Increased Writing Improves Critical-
Thinking

7. REVENUE GENERATION: TIERED
ANNUAL TEACHER SUBSCRIPTIONS
*The Summer Institute occurs in July and August each year and enables
teachers to attend meet-ups and to access professional development webinars
on-line.

8. NEXT STEPS
1. Increase Thought Leadership and Seek
Partnerships with Education Organizations
2. Develop Beta Products and Test with 60
Teachers Over the 2014-2015 School Year
3. Raise $50,000 to Launch First Two Apps