Task Context
In accordance with a 'smart classroom' initiative, we would like to design a mobile app for instructors to more effectively interact with their students.
The Challenge
Mock-up either a mobile app page or pages to include whatever functionality you'd like, or, a desktop dashboard that could be visible to the instructor or a large display.
My Approach
- Context: Problem/Solution
- Understand the User: Competitive Review/User Research
- Brainstorm: User Needs/User Flows/Sketches
- Design: Mid-Fidelity Wireframes/Mock-ups
- Next Steps: Usability Tests/Further Iteration
The Problem
Instructors play a major role in keeping students engaged in coursework both inside and outside of the classroom. Unfortuneately, they do not always have the resources to do so.
The Solution
A mobile app for instructors to more effectively interact with their students.
Understand the User
Competitive Review
Tools that universities may currently utilize:
- Blackboard
- Chegg
Positive: Ability to access a substantial amount of information
Negative: Resources are not personalized or tailored to the specific school
User Research
Who:
- Student taking online courses
- Grad Student who attends classes on campus
Informal interview:
- What tools would you like to see in a mobile app that would make you academically successful?
User Persona
The Organizer:
“Keeping up with my studies is a vital component to completing my program, and with a hectic schedule, I need a convenient, yet efficient way to do so."
- The working student who struggles to balance both a full-time job and full-time course load.
- They need a reliable tool to stay organized and reminded of due dates and upcoming events/assignments.
Job Story: When users want to plan ahead, they can open their classroom app and see a list of upcoming due dates which will allow them to better prioritize their schedule.
Brainstorm
Needs & Goals
User interviews and persona helped to determine the specific needs and goals:
- Organization/Simplicity
- Reminders/Updates
- Performance
- Notes Archive
- Additional Resources
User Flows/Sketches
Listing the user needs helped me come up with a user flow, which then led to some quick sketches.
Design
Because organization was most important to the user, simplicity was an important factor in creating an effective design. Take a look at the Mid-Fidelity wireframes below!
Next Steps
Usability Test Plan
- Identify Test Goal(s) - overall usability/ease of use/navigation
- Identify Test Objective(s) - specifically the home menu and tab bar clarity
- Conduct Test - moderated in-person//have subjects complete different scenarios/tasks
Test Analysis
Organize test results using affinity mapping:
- Observations
- Positive Quotes
- Negative Quotes
- Errors
Continue iteration and make changes based upon test results
Final Mock-ups
