My goal was to develop a framework for researching and assessing effective digital learning tools that can assist with engagement, course pacing, and critical thinking. While this artifact is more focused on why one should invest in a particular tool (Skooli), I feel the research I conducted on the market need for such a tool as well as the market value of the tool (which is tied closely to its efficacy) helps develop this goal of building my own framework for assessing learning tools from a variety of perspectives. It represents my ability to look at a learning tool holistically and make a decision on whether or not I believe it will be effective as well as whether or not it is a good business investment (meaning I have faith that it has longevity and will not be obsolete in a short time frame).

This artifact portrays my development from being able to assess a learning tool from its educational impact to its market impact as well. Understanding the business side of a learning tool is an important part of deciding how it might be implemented in teaching contexts, especially in wider contexts like school boards or districts where educational outcomes are not the only considerations.

I chose this artifact for my portfolio because I am trying to reflect my experience assessing the efficacy of a learning tool while also demonstrating my understanding of the education technology market. This artifact also shows that I have an understanding of what is missing from such tools, as demonstrated in the recommendations I give to the tool’s creators. 

This process was somewhat challenging from the venture analysis perspective since this was a relatively new area of study for me (on a theoretical basis). At the same time, I had some experience with this type of work (on an application basis) because I have had to evaluate numerous tools in my role as Director of Educational Technology at my own school. In fact, one of the tools I assessed (and implemented) was the very tool at the heart of this artifact (Skooli). My initial assessment was ad hoc and somewhat rushed due to competing projects so I did not follow a specific framework in this process. When this project came about for ETEC 522, I was given excellent sources of material, which I used to re-evaluate this tool. Mainly, I incorporated an analytical framework known as The Cube, which assessed six dimensions of the tool's features and relationships in the educational technology landscape. 

I believe this artifact demonstrates achievement of this goal because I successfully implemented an assessment framework to determine the effectiveness of a learning tool. Although my goal specifically states that I aim to assess tools for outcomes like engagement, course pacing, and critical thinking, I believe this artifact showcases general knowledge and skills that can be applied to a variety of learning outcomes.