Project Overview:
UX Design, UX Strategy, Web Interface
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning posed difficulties for many students, leading to disengagement, reduced social interaction, focus issues, and communication challenges with staff. Despite progress towards normalcy, online classes remain a prominent part of students' lives.
Duration
6 weeks (Fall 2021)
Programs
Figma
Instructor
Melike Turgut & Peter Colon
My Role
UX/UI Researcher & Designer
User Story #1
As a student, I want to see the types of classes being offered without having to register so that I know I am interested in the lessons before creating an account.
User Story #2
I want there to be different styles of teaching and difficulty so that I can find the class that best suits my level and accommodates my style of learning.
User Story #3
I want there to be a community so that I can chat with people who share similar interests with me. I also want there to be a way to search for specific groups to join.
User Research
I find my online classes to be boring and I tend to struggle to stay motivated during the class.
Denver Jones
I find online classes difficult because there is no time to ask the professor for help or advice.
Joseph Braum
Too many people in my online classes. I want the class size to be smaller and more efficient.
Sam Stache
User Frustrations
Problems:
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Hard to maintain motivation during online classes
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Not much social interaction with other students
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Not much interactive content
Solutions:
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Offer engaging and immersive interactive content to get students to stay motivated in class.
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Accommodate for the difference in experience and skill sets for students.
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Offer students a reliable method of connecting with other students in the field based on interests and aspirations.
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Build a more responsive community and help station for students.
Reflection
Continuously Learning
When I started this project, my aim was to create something unique for fellow students facing the shift to a hybrid college environment. Although the end result may not fully replace in-person experiences, I emphasized the importance of inclusion and community, recognizing the limited opportunities for online connection.
Future Thoughts
In an ideal world, people would connect and through shared interests. Yet, in the online world, continuous communication proves challenging, as it departs from the conventional norm and can be unsettling for some peopel. Looking ahead, a transformative shift is needed for learning online to be enjoyable. Perhaps a model akin to VR Chat, enabling interactive and enjoyable class experiences.
