Learning Lounge
A learning platform for all ages that will improve your study skills and reach your goals.
Project Overview
Role
UX & UI Designer
Project Type
End to End Application
There are various learning styles, and catering to visual learners by incorporating images, diagrams, videos, and interactive elements into study materials can significantly enhance their understanding and retention of information. As a former teacher, I can empathize with my students, and in my experience, student engagement and motivation are crucial factors in the learning process. Educational apps have the potential to address various learning styles, provide personalized experiences, and create interactive environments that appeal to students. Using apps to enhance learning in the classroom or for students to study at home can be highly beneficial.
Timeline
2 Months
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Problem
Maintaining student engagement and focus can be challenging, especially if tasks are too lengthy or lack variety. While educational apps have the potential to positively impact learning, many existing options fall short in providing personalized experiences and fail to engage both students and teachers effectively.
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Solution
To address the challenge of maintaining student engagement and providing personalized learning experiences, we propose a study app focused on accessibility and ease of use. Our user-friendly interface, customizable settings, and progress tracking features will cater to users of all ages, fostering a positive classroom environment. With seamless login for students and teachers, along with interactive multimedia elements and games, our app will enhance engagement and support effective learning.
User Goals
Create a positive app experience that boosts motivation and shapes a positive attitude toward learning.
Use content in different formats (videos, audio, etc.) to suit various learning preferences.
Set and achieve learning goals, providing visual progress tracking.
Business Goals
Use gamification in the app, like rewards and challenges, to increase motivation and engagement.
Enhance user engagement and motivation by giving insights into their progress and performance.
Partner with educational institutions to reach new demographics and broaden the app's user base.
My Process
Research
*
Define
*
Ideate
*
Design
*
Prototype
*
Test
*
Iterate
*
Research * Define * Ideate * Design * Prototype * Test * Iterate *
Research Goals
My research goal is to understand what users need on a study app and their preferences for games and activities while studying. By combining various research methods, I can gather comprehensive insights into user needs and preferences for a study app.
Research
Competitive Analysis
During competitive analysis I was able to look at 3 different companies and compare their advantages and disadvantages. While researching the study apps I was able to see the important of the login process, variety of interactive elements or games, and the presentation of study results, which are crucial components contributing to the success and effectiveness of study apps.
Key Findings
Creating an app focused on learning new vocabulary can be incredibly beneficial for language learners or anyone seeking to expand their word bank.
Some of the features are word of the day, flashcards, quizzes, and games.
A seamless, user-friendly login process is vital for user retention.
Displaying study results at the end of study sessions or activities helps users track their learning progress.
User Interviews
Identifying user pain points in the login process and study options is a critical step in improving the overall user experience.
“I like that after a test I can see the results.”
“I use the apps to prepare for tests or to learn facts quickly.”
“Quizlet is always available for my students. They use it mostly after one week, reviewing vocabulary to prepare for the test.”
“I like the different gaming components, like different types of games or themes. ”
Interview Data
Understanding the user preferences and pain points is crucial for creating a study app. Finding what users like in a study app, for example gaming features and seeing results, as well as some things that are frustrating, is important when creating a new app.
Key Findings
Integrating games into study apps can indeed make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable for users.
A user-friendly interface is paramount when designing any application.
Seeing tangible results improves learning.
Quizlet is the most popular study app.
Key Takeaways
Creating a user-friendly interface is crucial for any study app. Simplifying the login process and making it intuitive for users to add notes enhances the overall user experience.
Gamification can enhance engagement and make the learning process more enjoyable for users. It not only adds an element of fun but also provides different ways for users to interact with and retain the educational content.
Incorporating a feature that shows tangible results and progress in the study app can be a powerful motivator for users. Tracking and visualizing their achievements, such as completed modules, improved scores, or milestones reached, provides a sense of accomplishment and reinforces the learning process.
Define
Who is my Persona?
Creating a persona based on the common traits and needs of the individuals from my user interviews, helped me understand my target audience better.
“5th Grade Student”
Sophia is a 5th grade student who has an enthusiasm for learning and creativity! Incorporating elements that allow her to express creativity and engage in interactive learning experiences could enhance her educational journey. She especially loves to create avatars on games. She is constantly asking questions to deepen her understanding and is always looking for new ways to study to make it more engaging and interesting.
Site Map
While creating my site map, I had my user in mind, when deciding how they would add their notes to the study app and determine the types of activities that would aid studying.
You can see the color-coded topics I choose, in addition to the flows of the various study activities.
Ideate
User Flows
Creating an efficient task flow to guide users through the flashcards and how they will view and flip each card, ensures for a smooth and streamlined experience.
User Flow 1: As a 10 year old girl, I want to be able to study for tests while embracing my creativity, and find ways to incorporate art and visual elements into my study routine. This would help me achieve both my artistic and school goals.
Design
Sketches
I used Miro to create my initial sketches for the wireframes. I received feedback and I am honing in on specific aspects of my wireframes, particularly the flashcards and storymaker, to help the user study. Consistency in design is indeed crucial for a seamless user experience.
Wireframes
Designing with the user in mind can greatly enhance the user experience and make your product more intuitive and user-friendly. Consistency in design, especially with buttons and menu items, is a key principle for creating a cohesive and user-friendly experience. When elements are consistent, users can navigate the app more intuitively, which enhances overall usability.
Component Library
I decided to use vibrant colors and adaptable buttons, contributing to a user-friendly and engaging design. The yellow and blue color are visually appealing and provide good contrast for readability. Regarding the logo, I used a simple open book, as it conveys a clear message related to studying.
Using Figma, I translated my iPad sketches into high fidelity wireframes. I put thought into my designs and gathered inspiration from various examples. Drawing inspiration from existing designs can provide valuable insights into what works well and resonates with users. I wanted to make sure that the user would have a smooth and streamlined user experience while studying on the app.
Prototype
Test
Total Participants: 5
Goal: To evaluate whether participants can navigate through the wireframes effectively and successfully by adding their notes, and using the story maker and flashcards activity to help them study.
Usability Testing
User testing is a crucial step in the design process to ensure that your platform is user-friendly and meets the needs of your target audience.
I will be testing several task flows with my current wireframes. I will conduct the usability test with a general script they will follow. They will need to login through the study app, add their notes, and go through both the story maker and flashcards flows.
Task 1: Add notes to the app and choose flashcards. The user will then go through the flashcards flow.
Task 2: User will choose the Story Maker activity, click on the video and take a quiz.
There was a 100% success rate when conducting the usability testing. All participants completed the test from start to finish.
Analysis of Test Results
Feedback:
There was a suggestion to change some of the wording of the buttons and especially the wording on the results page. Instead of great job another encouraging saying would be more appropriate.
Iterate
Usability Testing
Based on the feedback I received, the arrows show the before and after of the iterations. Instead of the text reading “You did a great job!” I changed it to “Your almost there, keep going.”
Final Thoughts
Creating a study app that is not only accessible to users of all ages but also engaging and enjoyable was important for a diverse user base. Regular user testing and feedback can further refine the app based on the actual experiences and preferences of your users.
Offering users multiple options for adding notes and incorporating popular study games, like flashcards and a story maker, significantly enhanced the versatility of Learning Lounge. Users can seamlessly switch between adding notes, creating flashcards, and engaging with AI-generated stories, providing a holistic and engaging learning experience.
Having an interactive study app, like Learning Lounge, would provide a more efficient and personalized learning experience, helping users grasp and retain information more efficiently.
Next Steps:
Create an engaging and interactive avatar creation flow that adds a personal touch to the study app experience.
Designing a task flow for a matching activity option in a study app, so users can feel engaged with various matching exercises.
Create a user-friendly flow for selecting an image, scanning, and adding a file in the study app.
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