Big Ideas in Beta

Big Ideas in Beta is an incubator that supports the development of ideas prototyped in Action Collabs at Big Ideas Fest.

ISKME’s role is to usher Action Collab ideas to the next step of prototyping, piloting, or funding, and as such we facilitate and help to broker the use of services such as technology development, prototyping consultation, business plan development, and additional Action Collabs to continue building on their ideas. Big Ideas in Beta updates are given during the following year’s Big Ideas Fest.

In 2011, three Action Collab ideas were selected for future development during the yearlong program:

 

  • iGPS

    The iGPS prototype is a token system for students to award each other based on citizenship. Tokens are awarded in relation to soft skills exhibited in relation to goals, projects, and skills. Tokens are collected and exchanged for currency to contribute to a community service project.
  • Move Learning

    Move Learning is a library of videos demonstrating kinesthetic exercises for classrooms. Videos are teacher developed, selected, and rated. www.movelearning.org
  • Passion Dragon

    Pandora4Learning and WeLearn have combined to become Passion Dragon, which is an application that filters online learning materials in a way that matches lessons to users' individual passions. For example, a person interested in basketball can learn fractions through curriculum related to basketball.

We are greatly appreciative of Big Ideas in Beta funders: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Elkes Family Foundation, and an anonymous donor.