Learningbloks is a proposed modular learning platform consisting of interchangeable electronic "bloks" that can be used to simulate hands-on learning activities across different subjects. The bloks would be wirelessly connected to a central console that provides instructions, collects data from onboard sensors, and allows for personalized learning experiences. If successful, Learningbloks would disrupt existing education technology by starting with underserved low-income schools and developing customized bloks and curricula. However, it faces challenges from large established competitors and requires an experienced team including investors, data scientists, and education experts to realize its vision of accessible, contextualized experiential learning anywhere.

1. Learningbloks
Endless possibilities for hands
on, connected learning.
ETEC522 Venture Pitch (Assignment 3)
Alex Monegro
Image displayed is a Phoneblok – phonebloks.com

2. The real world is blurring for games and
purchases, now we can blur the lines for
education.
Watch the videos below to see the world
blurring:
• Anki Drive - http://goo.gl/Xvr1sY
• Google Glass - http://goo.gl/RarsLk
• Recon Instruments - http://goo.gl/ZVwMZx

3. Analytics are creating more and more data,
education can leverage big data to create
more personalized learning
Information is being used to customize all sort of
experiences and activities, watch these videos to
learn more:
• Open Text - http://goo.gl/010Zge
• IBM’s Smart Planet - http://goo.gl/YNPbpQ
• Knewton - http://www.knewton.com/

4. Learningbloks?
Electronic modules hosted on a central console that
are interchangeable - bloks. Bloks can be used to
simulate different activities: from a camera blok to
learn about capturing images, to a beaker blok that
simulates chemical reactions, to a city building blok to
learn about politics and economics.

5. A digital Bunsen burner
Imagine students in AP Chemistry buy they’re Bunsen
burner blok. The blok comes with a digital beaker that is
placed on top of the blok. The digital beaker is can change
colour with built-in LED lights to simulate chemical
reactions. The beaker is sensor enabled, so it can sense
quantities poured and record that information for future
use and to assess student performance. The console has a
screen module that can provide instructions and feedback
to students in real time. That’s the power of
Learningbloks. What blok do you want to have?

6. Modularized, connected, and
distributed
Central platform with
open API so anyone can
build bloks
• Value added through
framework for
capturing and
aggregating data from
all bloks through
central platform
• Central platform
controls how the blok
operates
Partner eco-system for
bloks and learning
activities
• Hardware
partners, but also
learning activities
partners as teachers
can create custom
activities and sell them
to others
Data, data, data
• Every blok and it’s
accessories are loaded
with sensors, all the
data is
collected, aggregated,
and analyzed by the
console and our
learning customization
system

7. Hands on and contextualized
Bloks are made to be used with
hands
• Using the real tools to learn
but keeping technology front
and centre
Learning customization system in
console keeps it contextualized
• Bloks can be programmed and
reprogrammed in real time
through console
• No two students are the same,
and bloks don’t have to work
the same
• Students or teachers can load a
different learning activity for
their blok to adjust by learning
style or pace of learning

8. Why now: Classroom technology has evolved over the years with
tablet and mobile slated to dominate. Bloks are mobile and mimic
the benefits of tablets.

9. Why now: Software to manage and
support classrooms is also in transition
Assist in
multimedia
delivery
Control student
computer use
Assist in delivery
of learning
activities
Partial
customizing of
learning
experiences by
student group
Fully personalized
learning
experiences with
ongoing
assessment

10. Why not just an app?
Current platforms are
closed
• Apple fully closed;
Android key
elements
controlled by
Google
• Limits size of
partner ecosystem
Technology
development limited
by third party
• Functionality
contingent on
other company’s
needs and strategy
• Can’t influence
direction of
development
No education
tailored hardware
• Not enough
sensors for big data
collection means
will have to
develop extra
hardware anyways
• Devices not created
with learning in
mind

11. Learningbloks are built on robust
modern learning theories
Constructivism
• Bloks help students
create their own
representation of how
knowledge work by
exploring the
knowledge with their
hands in real time
Distributed cognition
• Tools influence learning
and bloks are made to
be adaptive
• Bloks and the learning
customization system
enable learners to
interact with others
using bloks anywhere in
the world

12. To win we’ll drive these
key success factors:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Easy to use: Ease-of-use is an important design element for successful learning software because it
has such a large and diverse user base, and because it is a very tangible and visible investment for
potential customers.
Quick technology adoption: The education technology industry is undergoing incredibly rapid change
and has a large number of fragmented players. Staying one step ahead of other players will be
important.
Creating a large ecosystem: firms like Apple that create value for their main product line by
developing a large ecosystem around them drive a large part of their success from the size of the
ecosystem. In comparison to Apple, Blackberry has struggled to create a large ecosystem and
therefore drive volume of their hardware devices.
Access to a highly skilled workforce: Software development is a highly specialized skill set in high
demand from a variety of industries. This will also be true of highly skilled educators and data
scientists. Attracting and keeping highly skilled labour will be key to continued business success.
Providing related products and services: Providing value added services such as custom software and
hardware modules will drive extra profit and enable faster growth.
Having a high profile in the market: Our product can represent significant investment in money and
time, and might be purchased before the customer has direct experience with their or effectiveness.
Maintaining a high profile is key to attracting customers in such an environment.
Adapted from IBISWorld report on Business Analytics & Enterprise Software Publishing (2013)

13. Who’s our competition?
Hardware
manufacturers
Learning
Management
Systems Providers
Learning
Personalization
Providers
• Apple
• Samsung
• Google
• Blackboard
• Pearson
• D2L
• Knewton

14. Why we’ll win against our competition
Disruption happens by starting with those that are not in
the market, or underserviced. Our first bloks will help
schools in low income school districts and developing
countries. These are our customers, this is where we
play.
• Large competitors won’t want to compete for lower margin
customers
• Non-hardware makers won’t want to create a new business
line where they have no experience
• Start-ups in other lines of business won’t have the expertise

15. Start from the bottom: capture the
low end, learn, iterate
Drive volume at low
end of markets
Acquire rival startups
that are experts in
other areas (e.g.
Knewton)
Pursue large
incumbents in high
end when well
capitalized and have
strong advantage

16. What is our team missing?
• Experienced investors (you!)
• Data scientists
• Education theorists

17. Help us build the future.
Connected learning, accessible to anyone,
anywhere. Contextualized through hands on
modules that provide real experiential learning.
Be part of building the future of education.
Image displayed is a Phoneblok
– phonebloks.com

18. Explore our data:
• IBISWorld (2013). Business Analytics & Enterprise Software Publishing in
the US. Retrieved from IBISWorld Online.
• Phoneblok (2013). Retrieved from https://phonebloks.com/
• iDigitalTimes (2013). Tablet Sales vs. Laptop Sales: Three Reasons Why
Android Devices Will Surpass Desktop PC Shipments – Graphs retrieved
from http://www.idigitaltimes.com/articles/17881/20130528/tablet-vslaptop-sales-android-samsung-apple.htm