InnHubs - Innovation Hubs

Problem: Lack of Innovation-Enabling Education in Africa 

Specific Problem: Across Africa, traditional rote-learning curriculums and limited access to technology hinder students from developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the innovative mindset necessary to thrive in the 21st century.

The scale of the Problem:

• Globally: According to UNESCO, over 260 million children and youth are out of school. Many in school face limited access to quality education that fosters innovation. (https://www.unesco.org/gem-report/en/about-us)
• Africa: The World Bank estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa has the world's highest youth population, with over 400 million youth. Equipping them with innovation skills is crucial for the continent's future. (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=ZG)

People Affected: Millions of African students, particularly those in public schools with limited resources, lack access to education that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and innovation.

Contributing Factors:

• Rote-learning Curriculums: Traditional education systems often emphasize memorization over encouraging students to question, experiment, and think critically.
• Limited Technology Access: Many schools lack computers, internet connectivity, and digital learning resources, hindering exposure to technology and its potential for innovation.
• Teacher Training Gaps: Teachers might not have the training or resources to effectively integrate technology and innovative pedagogies into their classrooms.

InnHubs is a mobile application that utilizes flipped classroom methodology to deliver engaging video lessons for students in Africa. Here's a breakdown of how it works:

What it is:

• An educational app for smartphones and tablets.
• Focused on secondary school curriculums (e.g., WAEC).

What it does:

• Provides access to a library of downloadable video lessons.
• Videos are short, engaging, and incorporate storytelling elements similar to social media, making them relatable and interesting for students.
• Lessons connect academic concepts to real-world situations, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

How it works:

1. Download the App: Students download the InnHubs app for free or at a low cost (depending on school partnerships).
2. Select Courses: Students choose their desired courses based on their curriculum (e.g., Math, Science, English).
3. Access Video Lessons: Students can download video lessons within the app in various quality options to manage data usage. Downloaded videos can be played offline.
4. Engaging Delivery: Videos are crafted to be captivating, using storytelling and student participation to keep students interested.
5. Real-World Focus: Lessons go beyond rote memorization by demonstrating how concepts apply to real-life situations, making learning relevant and promoting innovation skills.

Technology:

• The app is built using standard mobile app development technologies.
• Offline video playback utilizes common device functionalities.
• The platform leverages cloud storage for video content.

Additional Notes:

• The app is designed for affordability and accessibility. Partnerships with schools ensure cost-effective access for students. Collaboration with universities helps reduce video production costs.

Overall, InnHubs aims to transform education in Africa by providing students with an engaging and effective learning experience through mobile flipped classrooms.

InnHubs directly serves secondary school students in Africa, particularly those facing challenges with traditional rote learning methods. This includes:

• Students who find current learning approaches disengaging and struggle to retain information.
• Students who see curriculum content as irrelevant to their lives and future aspirations.
• Students in regions with limited access to educational resources or quality teachers.

Current Underservice:

• Traditional rote learning methods focus on memorization for exams, neglecting application and critical thinking skills.
• Limited resources and large class sizes often hinder student engagement and personalized learning.
• Students in some regions may lack access to qualified teachers or innovative learning materials.

Impact on Lives:

InnHubs addresses these challenges by:

• Boosting Engagement: Short, captivating video lessons with storytelling elements make learning more enjoyable and interactive.
• Enhancing Understanding: Focus on real-world application helps students grasp concepts more effectively and retain information longer.
• Developing Critical Thinking: Lessons encourage students to analyze and apply knowledge to solve real-world problems, fostering valuable critical thinking skills.
• Promoting Innovation: By connecting academics to real-world scenarios, InnHubs sparks curiosity and ignites innovative thinking.
• Improving Accessibility: The mobile app delivers educational content directly to students' smartphones and tablets, overcoming geographical barriers and resource limitations. Offline access to downloaded videos ensures continued learning even with limited internet connectivity.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Partnerships with schools and universities ensure affordability for students, making quality education more accessible.

Overall Impact:

By providing an engaging and effective learning experience, InnHubs empowers students in Africa with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and innovative mindset they need to succeed in school, future careers, and life. The app fosters a love for learning that extends beyond traditional exams, preparing students to become lifelong learners and active contributors to their communities.

While we can't disclose specific academic or professional credentials here, we can highlight how our team is well-positioned to deliver this flipped classroom solution due to our proximity to the communities we serve and our commitment to community-driven design and implementation.

The InnHubs team is uniquely positioned to deliver this solution due to a powerful combination of experience and a commitment to community-driven design. Here's what sets us apart:

• Teacher at Heart: I, Raphael Inyang, the team lead, have dedicated over 10 years as a teacher in Nigeria, impacting the lives of over 1,000 students. This firsthand experience provides invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities students face in African classrooms. Witnessing these challenges firsthand fueled my passion to create a more engaging and effective learning experience.
• Bridging the Gap: My 5 years of experience in the tech space allows me to bridge the gap between educational needs and technological solutions. I understand the power of technology to transform learning and am committed to leveraging it responsibly for the benefit of African students.

Community-Driven Design & Content Creation:

We actively involve the communities we serve in every step of the process:

• Needs Assessment: We conduct workshops and surveys with students, teachers, and school administrators to gather firsthand insights into their specific needs and preferences.
• Locally Crafted Content: Our video content is the backbone of InnHubs. To ensure its effectiveness and cultural relevance, we leverage a network of talented university students who live and grew up in the regions they create content for. This approach guarantees that the lessons resonate with students' backgrounds and learning styles.
• Pilot Testing: The app is being tested in schools across different regions in Africa to gather feedback from students and teachers before full-scale rollout. This feedback will guide further refinement of the platform and content.

Team Representation:

We are actively building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We value individuals with educational backgrounds and experiences relevant to the African context. We also strive to include members who speak various African languages to ensure content accessibility.

Beyond Credentials:

While we recognize the importance of academic and professional expertise, we believe a passion for educational equity and a deep understanding of the African educational landscape are equally crucial. Our team is driven by a desire to empower students with the tools they need to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Transparency and Collaboration:

We are committed to transparency throughout the development process. We will share progress updates and findings with the communities we serve and incorporate their feedback into the ongoing development and improvement of InnHubs.

Overall, the InnHubs team combines extensive teaching experience, expertise in the tech space, and a commitment to community-driven design. This ensures the app is culturally relevant, addresses the specific needs of African students, and is ultimately shaped by the input and aspirations of the communities it aims to serve.

We've chosen Prototype as the stage of development for our solution because we've made significant progress but are still actively iterating based on user feedback. Here's a breakdown of our accomplishments so far:

Current Stage: InnHubs is currently in the Early Stage of development. While we haven't launched the final product to a large audience yet, we've made significant progress in building a solid foundation:

• Concept Development: We've thoroughly researched flipped classroom methodologies and their effectiveness in enhancing student learning.
• Needs Assessment: We've conducted workshops and surveys with educators and students across Africa to identify specific challenges and learning preferences.
• Content Creation Prototype: We've developed a sample video script that showcases the engaging and culturally relevant approach of our content. (You can access this sample script here: https://1drv.ms/w/s!An_MIA_mEiLQugBcmmeXyiKFLQmj?e=5D44WG)
• App Prototype Development: We've begun the process of building a functional mobile app prototype with core functionalities like video access and offline playback.
• Team Building: We're actively recruiting team members with expertise in education, technology, and content creation, with a focus on building a diverse team representative of the communities we serve.

Limited User Testing: While we haven't served a large user base yet, we've conducted initial user testing with a small group of students and teachers to gather feedback on our content prototype and app functionalities. This initial feedback has been invaluable in refining our approach and ensuring the app meets the needs of students and educators.

Focus on Early-Stage Development:

Our current focus is on solidifying the core functionalities of the app and content creation processes. We prioritize gathering further user feedback through pilot testing in a select number of schools before a full-scale rollout. This phased approach ensures the app is well-designed, culturally relevant, and addresses the specific needs of African students.

Moving Forward:

We are confident that the strong foundation we've built will propel InnHubs to a successful launch and widespread adoption in African schools. We remain committed to ongoing development, continuous improvement based on user feedback, and collaboration with the communities we serve.

InnHubs is thrilled to apply to Solve because we believe our solution aligns perfectly with the program's mission of tackling global challenges through innovation. While we've made significant progress, we recognize several key areas where Solve's support can be instrumental in overcoming specific barriers and accelerating our impact:

Financial Barriers:

• App Development Costs: Completing the mobile app development process requires additional funding to ensure a user-friendly and scalable platform.
• Content Creation Expansion: Solve's support could facilitate the creation of a wider range of high-quality video lessons across various subjects and curriculums.
• Pilot Testing and Implementation: Funding would allow us to conduct broader pilot testing in schools across different regions and support costs associated with initial implementation.

Technical Barriers:

• Expert Mentorship: Access to mentorship from advisors with experience in educational technology could provide valuable guidance on optimizing the app's functionality and user experience.
• Tech Partnerships: Solve's network could connect us with technology companies or developers who can assist with specific technical challenges in app development or content delivery.

Market Barriers:

• School Partnerships: Building strong partnerships with schools across Africa requires resources and connections. Solve's network and expertise could open doors to establishing essential partnerships that facilitate widespread adoption of InnHubs.
• Marketing and Awareness: Raising awareness about InnHubs among educators, students, and policymakers is crucial. Solve's support can help us develop an effective marketing strategy to reach a wider audience.

Cultural Considerations:

• Content Localization: While we prioritize local content creation, ongoing support might be necessary to ensure content remains culturally relevant as we expand into new regions. Solve's network could connect us with experts who understand the nuances of different African cultures.

Beyond Funding:

While financial support is valuable, InnHubs recognizes the true strength of Solve lies in its holistic approach. Solve's ability to connect us with mentors, technical experts, and potential partners is invaluable for navigating market barriers and ensuring InnHubs reaches its full potential.

Impact Through Collaboration:

By overcoming these challenges with Solve's support, InnHubs can unlock its potential to deliver a high-quality, culturally relevant educational solution to a vast number of students in Africa. We are confident that this collaboration will empower countless students, foster a love of learning, and equip them with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.

InnHubs offers a unique and innovative approach to tackling the challenges of traditional rote learning methods in Africa. Here's what sets us apart:

Focus on Real-World Applications:

• We go beyond memorization by demonstrating how academic concepts apply to real-life situations. This fosters critical thinking skills, innovation, and a deeper understanding of the value of education.

Mobile Flipped Classroom Design:

• Utilizing a mobile app makes learning accessible on smartphones and tablets, overcoming geographical barriers and limited access to resources. Students can learn anytime, anywhere.

Engaging and Culturally Relevant Content:

• Short, captivating video lessons with storytelling elements resonate with students' learning styles and cultural backgrounds. This increases engagement and knowledge retention.

Offline Video Playback:

• Downloaded videos can be played offline, ensuring continued learning even in areas with unreliable internet connectivity. This addresses a major barrier in many African regions.

Community-Driven Content Creation:

• University students from the target regions create content, ensuring cultural relevance and addressing local knowledge gaps. This fosters ownership and a sense of connection among students.

Focus on Accessibility and Affordability:

• Partnerships with schools and universities ensure cost-effective access for students. This expands the reach of the platform and promotes educational equity.

Catalyzing Broader Impact:

• InnHubs serves as a model for innovative and engaging educational technology solutions in Africa.
• Our success can inspire the development of similar solutions tailored to different contexts and subjects.
• The focus on real-world application can encourage a shift towards more practical and skills-based learning across the continent.

Market Transformation Potential:

• InnHubs has the potential to disrupt the traditional education landscape in Africa by:
  • Encouraging wider adoption of flipped classroom methodologies.
  • Highlighting the importance of mobile technology for learning.
  • Promoting culturally relevant and engaging educational content.
  • Setting a new standard for accessibility and affordability in educational technology solutions.

Overall, InnHubs goes beyond simply providing educational content. We offer a comprehensive approach that prioritizes engagement, real-world application, and accessibility. By achieving success, we can inspire broader positive impacts and a transformation in the educational landscape of Africa.

Problem: Traditional rote learning methods in Africa lead to low student engagement, poor knowledge retention, and a lack of critical thinking skills. This limits students' opportunities for success in school and future careers.

Solution: InnHubs provides a mobile flipped classroom platform with engaging video lessons focused on real-world applications.

Activities:

• Develop culturally relevant video lessons aligned with African curriculums.
• Partner with schools and universities to ensure affordable access for students.
• Make the app downloadable and enable offline video playback for accessibility.
• Conduct workshops and surveys to gather continuous user feedback.

Immediate Outputs:

• Increased access to engaging and culturally relevant educational content for students.
• Improved understanding of academic concepts through real-world application focus.
• Development of critical thinking skills through analysis and problem-solving activities.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Increased student engagement and motivation to learn.
• Improved academic performance and knowledge retention.
• Development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for success in the 21st century.
• Fostering a love for lifelong learning and a growth mindset.

Evidence to Support Links:

• Research on flipped classroom methodologies shows increased student engagement and improved academic performance (mention specific studies if available).
• Studies indicate that connecting learning to real-world applications enhances knowledge retention and critical thinking skills (provide research examples).
• Making high-quality educational content accessible through mobile technology can bridge the educational divide in developing regions (reference reports on mobile learning initiatives).

Impact Measurement:

• Pre- and post-tests aligned with curriculum standards to measure knowledge gain.
• Surveys with students and teachers to gauge engagement, satisfaction, and perceived effectiveness.
• Focus group discussions to gather qualitative feedback on student experiences.
• Platform usage data (e.g., video completion rates) to track student engagement.
• Analysis of student work in project-based learning activities to assess critical thinking skills.

By providing engaging and accessible educational content that emphasizes real-world application, InnHubs aims to transform the way students learn in Africa. We believe this approach will lead to increased student engagement, improved learning outcomes, and the development of essential life skills for success in the 21st century.

Transformational Impact: InnHubs aspires to revolutionize the educational landscape in Africa by empowering students with a love for learning, fostering critical thinking skills, and preparing them for success in the 21st century.

Specific Impact Goals:

1. Increased Student Engagement: We aim to increase student engagement with learning materials by 25% within the first year of implementation in pilot schools.
2. Improved Learning Outcomes: We target a 15% improvement in student performance on standardized tests aligned with the curriculum after using InnHubs for one year.
3. Critical Thinking Development: We aim to see a 20% increase in student participation in problem-solving activities and project-based learning tasks within the first year of using InnHubs.
4. Bridging the Educational Divide: We aim to reach 50,000 students in underserved communities within the first two years of full-scale implementation.

Measuring Progress:

We employ a multi-pronged approach to measure progress towards our impact goals:

• Pre- and Post-Tests: Standardized tests aligned with local curriculums will be administered before and after using InnHubs to measure knowledge gain.
• Student and Teacher Surveys: We will conduct surveys with students and teachers to gauge their satisfaction, engagement levels, and perceived effectiveness of the app.
• Focus Group Discussions: Qualitative data will be collected through focus group discussions with students to understand their experiences using InnHubs and identify areas for improvement.
• Platform Usage Data: We will track key metrics like video completion rates, time spent on the app, and content downloads to assess student engagement.
• Project-Based Learning Analysis: We will analyze student work in project-based learning activities to assess the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

InnHubs directly contributes to achieving several SDGs, and we use relevant indicators to track progress:

• SDG 4: Quality Education: Increased student engagement, improved learning outcomes, and critical thinking development all contribute to this goal.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Making quality education accessible through mobile technology helps bridge the educational divide and empower students in underserved communities.

Continuous Improvement:

By analyzing data and feedback regularly, we can identify areas for improvement and refine our content and functionalities to ensure maximum impact. This data-driven approach allows us to adapt and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of students and educators in Africa.

Overall, InnHubs is committed to creating a measurable and sustainable impact on the educational landscape in Africa. Through our impact goals and rigorous measurement strategies, we are confident that InnHubs has the potential to empower students, transform learning experiences, and equip them with the skills necessary to thrive in the future.

InnHubs leverages a combination of modern technologies to deliver an accessible and engaging learning experience for students in Africa. Here's a breakdown of the core technologies involved:

Mobile App Development:

• The foundation of InnHubs is a mobile application built using standard mobile app development frameworks. This ensures accessibility on a wide range of smartphones and tablets commonly used by students in Africa.

Offline Video Playback:

• InnHubs utilizes the built-in functionalities of mobile devices to enable offline video playback. This is crucial in regions with unreliable internet connectivity, allowing students to continue learning even without an internet connection. Downloaded videos are stored on the device's internal storage or SD card.

AI:

• Although the scripts are written by students, they are heavily assisted by Gemini AI and Google search to ensure ease of access and accuracy of information provided in the videos

Cloud Storage:

• Video content is securely stored on cloud platforms to ensure scalability and accessibility for users across Africa. Cloud storage also facilitates updates and content additions without requiring users to download the entire app again.

Additionally:

• InnHubs may explore integrating basic analytics tools within the app in the future. This data would be anonymized and used solely to understand user behaviour and improve the platform's effectiveness.

Focus on Accessibility:

While InnHubs utilizes modern technologies, a core principle is ensuring accessibility for students in diverse learning environments. The app is designed to function well on devices with varying processing power and internet connectivity levels.

Beyond Technology:

While technology plays a crucial role, InnHubs recognizes the importance of human expertise. The content creation process involves collaboration with university students who understand the cultural context and learning styles of the target audience. This ensures the content is engaging and resonates with students.

Overall, InnHubs utilizes a combination of modern and accessible technologies to deliver high-quality educational content and create an engaging learning experience for students in Africa.

At InnHubs, we have one individual working on each of these departments

1. Technical - software (app, database)
2. operations - video creation, recruitment of everyone involved
3. FInances - determines how much we have to spare for additional roles to be handled by external people
4. Marketing - Reaches out to schools and education bodies for approval and onboarding
5. legal - Ensures all videos made by the different individuals are our intellectual properties.

Total no - 5

I started producing innovative books and started visiting schools in August 2023, but after enough talk with school owners, they suggested I exert my energy in creating these videos, as they can be sure their students are receiving a quality education.

Hence, I started working on creating these videos in August 2023. Through the work, and efforts, I have tirelessly worked to improve it. The basic videos are nothing compared to the videos we are creating now, and they surely will get better over time through research and feedback.

At InnHubs, we are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. Here's how we're working towards that goal:

Current Team Diversity:

• While our team is currently based at the University of Lagos, we actively recruit students from across Nigeria and neighboring regions to contribute to content creation.
• We are proud to have a team with a strong female representation, currently at 80% of our team members.

Fostering Inclusivity:

• We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all team members feel valued and respected, regardless of their background, gender, ethnicity, or beliefs.
• We encourage open communication and collaboration within the team, ensuring everyone has a voice and feels comfortable sharing their ideas.

Goals for Continuous Improvement:

• We acknowledge the need for further diversification of our leadership team. We are actively seeking qualified individuals from underrepresented groups to join our leadership ranks.
• As we expand, we will prioritize recruiting team members from the specific regions where our video content will be used. This ensures a deep understanding of the cultural nuances and learning styles of the target audience.

Actions Taken:

• We have established a Diversity and Inclusion Committee within InnHubs to set goals, develop strategies, and hold the team accountable for creating a more inclusive environment.
• We actively seek out internship and collaboration opportunities with universities across Africa to tap into a wider talent pool.
• We provide unconscious bias training for all team members to raise awareness of potential biases and promote fair decision-making.

Long-Term Commitment:

Building a diverse and inclusive team is an ongoing process. We are committed to continuous improvement through ongoing evaluation and refinement of our approach. We believe that a team that reflects the richness and diversity of Africa will be best positioned to develop educational content that resonates with students across the continent.

By fostering an inclusive environment and prioritizing diversity in our team, InnHubs aims to not only deliver high-quality education but also empower future generations of African leaders who are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the future.

InnHubs remains committed to a social business model prioritizing both educational impact and financial sustainability. Here's how we've adapted our approach based on your feedback:

Value Proposition:

• Beneficiaries (Students): Affordable, engaging video lessons with a focus on real-world application, improving learning outcomes and fostering critical thinking skills.
• Customers (Schools): Flexible pricing options for high-quality educational content, leading to improved student engagement and potential teacher training resources.

Products & Services:

• Mobile app with downloadable video lessons aligned with African curriculums.
• Focus on delivering content in smaller, weekly packages to make it more accessible.
• Potential future offerings: supplemental teacher training materials and online communities for educators.

Delivery Channels:

• App available for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
• Partnerships with schools and NGOs for wider distribution.

Revenue Streams:

1. Pay-Per-Week Model: Schools and students can purchase access to video lessons on a weekly basis, per subject. This allows for more granular control over spending and caters to various budgets.

   • We will set a minimum price per week to ensure the value of our content and avoid undervaluing our work.
   • We will explore offering tiered pricing options for schools based on factors like student enrollment or location.

2. Revenue Sharing with Content Creators: To reduce upfront costs, university students who create content will be compensated through a revenue-sharing model. This aligns their success with the platform's growth and incentivizes high-quality content creation.

Social Impact:

• Increased student engagement and improved learning outcomes through accessible pricing.
• Development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Bridging the educational divide for students in underserved communities.

Financial Sustainability:

• The combination of pay-per-week pricing and revenue sharing with content creators ensures a sustainable income stream for InnHubs while keeping the solution affordable for schools and students.

Overall, InnHubs continues to prioritize making quality education accessible. This revised business model allows for greater flexibility and affordability while ensuring fair compensation for content creators and the long-term viability of the platform.

InnHubs is currently in the early stages of development, and we haven't yet generated significant revenue. However, our financial sustainability plan focuses on a diversified approach:

1. Pay-Per-Week Model: Schools and students will have the option to purchase access to video lessons on a weekly basis, per subject. This caters to various budgets and allows for more granular control over spending. We will set minimum prices to ensure value and explore tiered pricing for schools based on enrollment or location.

2. Revenue Sharing with Content Creators: Partnering with university students, we'll implement a revenue-sharing model. Content creators will be compensated as a percentage of the revenue generated by their content. This incentivizes high-quality work while reducing upfront costs for InnHubs.

3. Future Revenue Streams: As we grow, we may explore additional avenues like:

   • Partnerships: Collaborations with educational institutions or NGOs for sponsored content or bulk student subscriptions.
   • Premium Features: Offering an optional premium subscription with additional video lessons, quizzes, or teacher resources.

Grant Funding:

We are actively seeking grant funding opportunities from organizations that support educational initiatives in Africa. While we can't disclose specific applications yet, we are confident our solution aligns with the goals of several potential donors.

Future Fundraising:

In the future, we may consider raising investment capital to scale our operations and expand our content library. However, our initial focus is on establishing a strong user base and demonstrating the impact of our solution.

Transparency and Future Evidence:

We understand the importance of financial transparency. As InnHubs progresses, we will be able to provide data on key metrics like user acquisition, content consumption, and revenue generation. This data will be invaluable in demonstrating the success of our financial model and attracting further investment for continued growth.

Overall, InnHubs is committed to building a financially sustainable solution. Our diversified revenue streams, combined with grant funding and potential future fundraising, will allow us to deliver high-quality educational content while ensuring the long-term viability of the platform.