Speer

End-to-End Application

Process Overview

01. Empathize

Research Goals

I began by developing a Research Plan to figure out how to perform the research and gather information that will guide the design of the platform that aims to help students during these unprecedented times.

Ultimately, I wanted to identify the needs of students with regard to supporting their education both academically and socially.

Methodologies

• Secondary Research

  • Effects of pandemic on higher education

  • Effects of pandemic on students academically and socially

• Competitive Analysis

  • Explore competitors’ platforms

  • Identify strengths and weaknesses of competitors

• User Interviews

  • Gain context of user goals and needs

  • Understand frustrations with virtual/hybrid learning

Secondary Research Findings

When COVID-19 hit, students of all ages had to adapt to virtual/hybrid learning almost overnight. Not to mention, the disproportionate toll that transition took on students coming from low socioeconomic and/or minority backgrounds. Students found themselves with higher levels of anxiety about college, the job market, and the health of their loved ones. With the higher workload that comes with online learning, one student even expressed, “If we had a test coming up, I would say to my classmates, 'Let's get together and study for a few hours at the library.’ Now, they're not there with you to help." Another found herself struggling with the lack of established friendships and sense of belonging during her first year at university.

According to one study, about 25% of college students dropped one or more courses during the academic terms coinciding with the pandemic due to the financial burden of lost income, as well as other mental and emotional stressors. Many students also decided to take a semester off until things settled down a bit or reduce the financial strain with increased tuition prices.

But why a mobile app?

Research found that:

• Two-thirds of online students do some coursework on their mobile devices

• 94% of students want to use their phones for their studies

• Improves access to critical information through push notifications

• Removes a barrier to information for students who may not have their own computer

• Personalized messages that “nudged” students to stay on track improved retention rates by 10%

Competitive Analysis

I also wanted to find out how other supplemental study tools are succeeding, as well as where they fall short. From the moment COVID-19 closures took place for businesses and schools, the value of technology and its drawbacks have been illuminated. Many schools had to figure out a way to get a device in the hands of their students to make learning accessible; teachers, students, and parents had to be trained in effectively using these new online educational tools and platforms.

While Blackboard and Canvas serve schools directly with a platform that provides the foundation for their courses. they miss some elements of collaboration and socialization. Other supporting apps such as StudyBlue has given students a way to share notes or flashcards; however, it’s missing other valuable study tools and collaborating functionalities.

User Interviews

To better understand our users’ goals and pain points, I conducted three contextual inquiry interviews using my own Interview Guide that consisted of open-ended questions about their experience learning, socializing, and collaborating virtually. I recruited the participants, ranging from ages 19-28, from George Mason University (GMU), a local public university in Fairfax, VA. As with any startup, it’s more effective to start small with its first product launch and then scale up.

These were the things that my interviewees found helpful:

• Blackboard Collaborate

• Google Docs collaboration

• Tech-savvy teachers

• Discussion boards

• Flexibility of asynchronous learning

And these were my overall findings of user goals and frustrations:

Meet Our Persona

02. Define

Project Features

Based on my research findings, I created a comprehensive Feature Roadmap to prioritize key elements that should be included in the platform’s design.

03. Ideate

Card Sort

Since the application was being built from scratch and lacked an existing information architecture, an open 30-card sort was conducted to gain a better understanding of how the application will be organized and structured according to user feedback & expectations. The cards included words/phrases related to classes, study tools, study materials, and functionality. Because the application will begin with GMU, 10 GMU students & alumni were recruited as card sorters from an online public forum specific to the university’s students and staff.

The results shed light on an interesting pattern: people tend to categorize based on four different groups:

1. Courses

2. Study Materials & Task Management

3. Profile & Functionality

4. Social & Community

Sitemap

Based on the results from the card sort, I created a sitemap to organize how the features would be grouped:

• Home

  • Courses

  • Text and audio/video channels

• Direct Messages (private conversations)

• Study Tools

  • Notes, flashcard decks, whiteboards

  • Task/project management

• Account (settings & preferences)

Task & User Flows

Using my sitemap and sketches, I then created a generic task flow that would take the user on a linear path from the Home screen to adding a peer to a note. This allows me to get the “Big Picture” of the app flow.

The task flow then allowed me to generate a User Flow based off of my persona, Jason, to not only show alternative paths but to give me the ability to empathize with the user navigating the app. Both of these flow charts show what screens are required in order to improve the user experience.

Mid-Fidelity Wireframes

With the information from my research findings and flowcharts, I drafted a more concrete vision of what the user experience will look like.

I wrapped up the Ideate phase with responsive hi-fidelity UI designs of the home screen as well as some other relevant screens using Speer’s branding, which was then translated to the web design.

04. Prototype

Hi-Fidelity Prototyping

Usability Testing

I drafted a Usability Test Plan to prepare my facilitation of the user testing and formulate my scenarios.

Test Objectives

• Test the overall ease of navigation and quality of application flow

• Identify areas and features of the feature that cause confusion, hesitation, or frustration for the user

Participants

Three current GMU students between the ages of 18 and 21 (Freshman, Junior, and Senior)

Tasks & Errands

1. Set up a new group video call

2. Add a note

   • Locate Social Psychology notebook

   • Add a new note with an outline template

   • Add collaborators to the new note

3. Create a new flashcard deck

   • Locate the Flashcard tab

   • Add a new deck

   • Create two flashcards

Usability Testing Results

All users were able to successfully add peers to a new note with a template, as well as create a new flashcard deck with great ease.

Affinity Map

I used my notes and observations to create an Affinity Map that would help me identify patterns, organize the users’ feedback, and come up with possible solutions for the next iteration of the design.

Priority Revisions

I tasked myself to revisit the design and prioritize adjustments according to user feedback, which mostly involves creating onboarding screens for first-time users. This is a cost- and time-effective solution that is in line with the information architecture and would make it easy for users to learn.

Next Steps

I’d love to get this in the hands of GMU as this could boost student morale and allow students to feel more supported by the university. Perhaps a student-led development project is in the stars?

Final Thoughts

I approached this project with one umbrella goal in mind: identify a problem people face during these unprecedented times and come up with feasible solutions. With my background in education and remembering what it was like to be in school not too long ago, I immediately thought of students who might be having a difficult time with the changes. My fondest memories in college were interacting and learning with my peers.

The biggest challenge I gave myself for this project was to delve into interaction design more, particularly with the prototype itself. I usually go into the last phase with the intention of “testing the design,” but also considering how users feel when actually using the product was also important. I’m glad to have dabbled into different tools and identifying Figma as a more than viable option; not to mention, it was at no additional monetary cost.