SBIR Phase I: The Way Entrepreneurs Learn: Migration from Supercoach Instructor-Led Entrepreneurial Education Curriculum to Blended Learning Technology

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段研究项目将为创业教育（EE）模拟/练习基础设施奠定基础。研究人员发现，模拟训练对于缩小在课堂上获得知识和在实地应用知识之间的差距是必不可少的。通过将模拟演习与已经到位的经过验证的EE培训计划相结合，将缩小操作差距。使用电子学习模块，学生将与介绍工作表和模型的练习进行交互，以创建一个工具库，这些工具库将成为企业家继续使用的可用资源。这些电子表格和框架的使用为“虚拟”导师/学习者一对一的互动创造了新的机会。在科学家和工程师的创业过程中，电子商务被认为是一个关键的组成部分。该项目的前提是，技术可用于开发可扩展的、引人注目的、跨学科的课程和交付方法，为目标受众提供更广泛的途径，并缩短从“创新理念到市场实施”的创业过程持续时间。该项目将采用经过验证的创业教育课程，并通过将其转移到交互式网络基础设施，将为促进者和企业家提供显著的效率。由于电子电气市场的性质和该产品潜在客户的范围，该项目产生的产品的商业潜力是巨大的。EE市场最好被描述为由多个学生群体、服务提供商和资助机构组成的碎片化市场。当然，这种市场特征既是挑战也是机遇。这是一项挑战，因为很难以具有成本效益的方式提供有效和持续的指导。拟议中的创新抓住了这些专业知识，并将其与成功创业所需的适当方法、工具和技术捆绑在一起。分散的市场提供了一个机会，因为战略联盟可以为向创新课程和先进交付工具的过渡提供关键的质量和动力。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project will lay the groundwork for an Entrepreneurial Education (EE) simulation/exercises infrastructure. Researchers have uncovered that training simulations indispensable in closing the gap between gaining knowledge in the classroom and application of that knowledge in the field. The operational gap will be closed by using a simulation exercise in conjunction with the proven EE training program already in place. Using the e-Learning modules, students will interact with exercises that introduce worksheets and models to create an arsenal of tools that become available resources for continuing use by the entrepreneur. Use of these electronic forms and frameworks create new opportunities for 'virtual' mentor/learner one-on-one interaction. EE has been identified as a key building block in the entrepreneurial process for scientists and engineers. The project is based on the premise that technology can be used to develop scaleable, compelling, inter-disciplinary curricula and delivery methods providing broader access to the target audience and compression of the entrepreneurial process duration from 'innovative idea to market implementation'. The project will adopt proven entrepreneurial education (EE) curriculum and by moving it to an interactive web-based infrastructure, significant efficiencies will be provided to both the facilitator and the entrepreneur. The commercial potential of the product(s) resulting from this project is significant because of the nature of the EE market and the range of potential customers for this product. The EE marketplace is best described as fragmented with multiple student cohorts, service providers and funding agencies. This marketplace characteristic is, of course, both a challenge and an opportunity. It is a challenge because of the difficulty is making available effective and consistent coaching in a cost-effective manner. The proposed innovation captures that expertise and bundles it with appropriate methodologies, tools and techniques required for successful entrepreneurship. The fragmented marketplace presents an opportunity because strategic alliances can be undertaken to provide critical mass and momentum for a transition to innovative curriculum and advanced delivery tools.