PhoneLabs

We use smartphone sensors to build a new relationship between the laws of nature and those who wish to learn about it - a superior alternative to learning through traditional formulas.

The way we teach science through formulas alienates a significant number of children from understanding and appreciating science and its relevance to life. While we are using computers and online methods of delivery, the way we educate children is through using blackboard, notes, lectures, video, online courses have not changed. It is based on a knowledge transmission model. While it prepares students with skills in using formulas, it does not leave the vast majority of them with real understanding of what they are learning. 40% of Australian children find STEM education boring or too difficult.

Most kids in the developed world own phones, the vast majority of the rest have access to smartphones. Smartphones are packed with sensors (acceleration, pressure, sound, light, and magnetism) that can sense the world around them. Science is about sensing and understanding the world around us. Its time for us to use the sensors that come with the phone to help kids connect with these phenomena directly, interactivity and playfully. With phones - the world becomes a lab.

• Demonstrate the awesomeness of smart phone based learning schemes through online and offline workshops
• Popularize our free web apps (www.splab.io) so learners around the world can use it
• Create free highly engaging videos on learning STEM with Smartphones
• Train educators to develop and deliver sensor based learning according to the local context

Return visitors (using web analytics) - 1000 active users our free web apps within the first year

We will measure the feedback from students. - 20 Live workshops in Australia

200 Online Sessions in Australia

within the first year

We will measure the feedback from students. - 5 Overseas Sessions in different contexts (high-income, low-income, refugee camps)

100 non-English Session (with external tutors)

Ours is a Hands-On, Phones-On, Brains-On approach to STEM Education. Our sessions are neither lecture sessions nor lab sessions. Our approach is unique in that we are crafting an entirely sensor based approach to understand key STEM concepts focus primarily on developing conceptual understanding.

We are using AI Techniques (knowledge mapping) to build maps of key STEM areas. As learners answer questions during the session, we will be able to locate their position and trajectory in the knowledge map. These maps will allow us to provide additional individualized support to students who are struggling.  

Current lecture based education models are based on mass production. The teacher has no real idea of what is going on in the pupils head during the lecture as every kid has a different level of understanding and skills. Teachers cannot lecture to all levels at the same time. Kids born into the information rich world find lecturing unappealing.

We minimize lecturing. Learning is active and by interaction with sensors. Through formative testing we have insights into the conceptual map of each learner. This allows us to personalize their learning enabling tutors to spend time with on with specific issues.

• Live Tutoring Sessions : 5 students at a time at our location in Adelaide
• Online Tutoring : 5 students at a time (within Australia)
• Global Online Sessions (to be developed)
• Free YouTube Videos (under development)
• Teacher Training (we are getting started on this)
• Social media presence in Facebook(@phonelabs)  & Twitter(@PhoneLabsNet)
• Free Web Apps www.splab.io (live) 
• Live Sponsored STEM  Events

We have marginal revenue through live sessions. We are in the process of growing this through online sessions to make our venture self-sustaining.

Though kids love learning with phones, the novelty of our approach makes it difficult to convince teachers and schools to adopt it.

We have designed our venture to be globally sell able but we are not located in a geographic location where VC funding is valuable for pre-revenue ventures.

With our limited social media presence, we are relatively unknown making our cost of student acquisition high.

http://www.theleadsouthaustralia.com.au/industries/education/smartphone-science-teaching-tool-captures-googles-attention/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/eureka-moments-maths-science-learning-robert-fitzgerald

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8osYGSvdbFw

We have developed a method of learning that kids love. 90% of the kids who have gone through our sessions prefer this way of learning to they way they have learn the same in school. Yet, Institutions are unable to recognize its potential and promise. There is virtually no funding available for pre-revenue startups in Adelaide. Yet we have relentlessly ploughed on.

We wish to take what we are developing to a global audience. We wish to connect with those who have the courage and the willingness to make the changes that need to be made in Education. 

We are hosted by the New Venture Institute of Flinders University. We are working with Google on the Making and Science Initiative.

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