Why are families choosing microschools? Christensen Institute Fellow Thomas Arnett discusses Jobs To Be Done Theory
Apr 2, 2024
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Thomas Arnett, Senior research fellow at Christensen Institute, discusses Jobs To Be Done Theory in parent decision-making for microschools. Topics include understanding demand based on life circumstances, motivations driving parents to choose micro schools, alleviating family anxiety, leveraging social proof, impact of COVID-19 on schooling norms, and technology's role in enabling new schooling models.
Understanding the jobs to be done theory can help analyze parent choices and dissatisfaction with traditional schooling models.
Disruptive innovation, including tech-enabled solutions like microschools, offers tailored educational approaches and enhances student learning outcomes.
Deep dives
Understanding Jobs to be Done in Parent Decision Making for Microschools
The jobs to be done theory focuses on understanding the driving forces behind consumer decision-making beyond traditional demographics, correlating circumstances that motivate choices. Through examples like the New York Times purchase reasons, the theory emphasizes how life circumstances influence product preferences beyond surface attributes. The milkshake story highlights how recognizing consumer struggles leads to successful solutions. Applying this theory to microschools involves understanding parent choices, such as dissatisfaction with conventional schools, creating an effective framework for analyzing and addressing their needs.
Identifying Three Key Jobs to be Done in Parent Decision Making for School Choices
Interviewing parents who switched to unconventional schooling revealed three main reasons for change: disagreements with the current school's decisions and feeling unheard, addressing child struggles or unhappiness at school, and seeking a more balanced education beyond academic milestones. These distinct jobs reflect varying aspects of dissatisfaction with traditional school models, prompting parents to seek alternatives that cater to specific needs and values.
Navigating Parent Decision-Making Challenges in Unconventional Schooling Environments
Understanding the impact of habits, anxieties, and struggles on parent decision-making, especially in the context of COVID-19 disruptions, reveals key factors influencing school choices. Overcoming anxieties through social proof and community connections can alleviate concerns and facilitate transitions to alternative schooling. Acknowledging the role of habits and anxieties in decision-making illuminates strategies for education entrepreneurs to market their services effectively to families considering unconventional schooling options.
The Role of Disruptive Innovation in Shaping Education Models
Exploring disruptive innovation beyond technology reveals its application to non-tech solutions like unconventional schooling. By harnessing technology to facilitate improved coordination, resource sharing, and personalized learning experiences, disruptive innovation enables more flexible and tailored educational approaches. Embracing the potential of tech-enabled schooling solutions, such as microschools, transforms traditional educational paradigms and enhances student learning outcomes.