Forming An Opportunity Belief

1) Your beginning point. The public school system in the United States is extremely lacking in their education of international matters. Knowledge of the history of the world is limited to the World Wars and the Cold War for the most part (this is not including AP classes, I am talking about the mass majority of public school students). 

2) Describe your belief. The unmet need is a lack of international subjects being taught, this is primarily needed by high school students. This need comes from the fact that the public school system is very flawed and biased towards the states. This need is combatted by students who are more inclined and interested to learn about the world, however this need is 100% necessary because not all students have the extra push to actually teach themselves. 

3) Identify the prototypical customer. A student, a teacher. 

4) Iteration No. 1: 

Nino Star (substitute teacher, family friend)

What is the exact nature of the need? 

As a teacher, it is apparent that the public school system doesn't support the education of international studies. In the average history class there is no mention of the Armenian Genocide or the Rose Revolution. Except the revolutionary and World wars are repeated to a dizzying extent and no history that didn't directly impact the States is taught. In world history the most that is touched upon is the United States impact on the world rather than the intricate histories of other cultures. 

When do they become aware of the need -- that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes? 

I become aware of this need when having discussions with students. 

How long have they had the need? 

Ever since I became a student. 

When did they first become aware of their need? Why? 

I became aware of my need through realizing that even my own child would go about her life without being taught important things about the world as a whole.

How are they currently addressing their need? 

I can only really teach my own daughter these things, so I'm starting from a household level.

How satisfied are they with this solution? 

Not satisfied, seeing as I can only impact just my daughter. 

Reflection:

Teachers have noticed the flaws in the system too.

Jane T. Perez (student)

What is the exact nature of the need? 

As a student, I don't have the want to have to educate myself when teachers and schools are funded by my parents tax dollars to educate me. I should be able to hold a conversation about things other than US history and politics. 

When do they become aware of the need -- that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes? 

When watching the news they have a hard time keeping up, seeing as they don't know the complexity of the history behind world events. 

How long have they had the need? 

Since High-school.

When did they first become aware of their need? Why? 

Upon having a conversation with an international student, they realized how unequipped they were for the topics.

How are they currently addressing their need? 

Self informing. 

How satisfied are they with this solution? 

Satisfied enough. 

Reflection:

I got the reaction I was expecting.

Na-Young Shin (Student)

What is the exact nature of the need? 

Not a lot of Americans know about things that go on beyond the borders of the country.

When do they become aware of the need -- that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes? 

When watching the news or talking to people.

How long have they had the need? 

Since their childhood.

When did they first become aware of their need? Why? 

When people asked her the difference between North and South Korea. 

How are they currently addressing their need? 

Explaining to their friends when it comes to it.

How satisfied are they with this solution? 

Not at all.

Reflection:

American students seem uneducated to the mass majority of the world. 

5) Reflect. 

I learned the different perspectives of the issue, the teacher, the uneducated student, the educated student. 

7) Summarize. It's very likely that your opportunity belief changed between the outset and as a consequence of your customer interactions. Three questions:

How much of your original opportunity is still there?

There is still a need there.

Do you believe that your new opportunity is more accurate than when you started?

Yes.

How much do you think entrepreneurs should 'adapt' their opportunities based on customer feedback? (In other words, is there a trade-off between adapting and staying firm?)

Yes.