Context and Challenge
HighScope Educational Research Foundation, a leader in early childhood education, aimed to transition its paper-based curriculum into an intuitive web application.
The challenge was to design a user-friendly platform that simplifies lesson planning for educators while ensuring seamless content management for administrators.
Insights into user challenges and needs were shared by stakeholders to guide the design process.
My Role
As the UX Designer for this project, I focused on:
Information architecture.
Creating a cohesive design system.
Designing interactive layouts for the Curriculum and Content Management Modules.
Deliverables
Low- and high-fidelity wireframes, an interactive design system, and a scalable Content Management interface.
Key Takeaway
This project exemplified my ability to create impactful, user-centred solutions in EdTech by blending strategic thinking with effective design execution. Notably, the project was completed in just 3 weeks, driven by a strong dedication and proactive communication with stakeholders.
Research and Key Insights
To kick off the project, stakeholders shared valuable user insights gathered through prior research and discussions with educators and administrators. These insights highlighted challenges in two key areas:
Curriculum Content Access
Educators struggled to efficiently navigate the existing curriculum for lesson planning and required an engaging, interactive way to understand and apply the materials.
Content Management Challenges
Administrators found it challenging to update and maintain curriculum content promptly due to a lack of streamlined tools, hindering the relevance and timeliness of updates.
These insights shaped the project's dual objectives: improving the usability of the curriculum content and designing an intuitive content management system.
Ideating a Solution: Key Design Goals
I used stakeholder insights to ideate a user-centred solution that would streamline curriculum management and enhance user engagement.
Design Goals
Simplify Navigation
Ensure quick and intuitive access to curriculum content.
Boost Engagement
Introduce interactive features like quizzes & checklists to keep educators engaged.
Manage Content Easily
Provide an easy-to-use tool to help manage and update content easily.
Visualising the Information Architecture
I focused on organising the content in a way that aligns with user expectations. By grouping similar types of information and structuring it hierarchically, I ensured easy navigation across the app.
Clear categories for curriculum content, quizzes, and resources helped users find and interact with what they needed quickly, enhancing the overall usability.
Building a Cohesive Design System
Creating a design system to ensure both visual and functional consistency, enhancing the overall user experience.
Typography & Colour Palette
Text Styles: A clear & consistent hierarchy for better readability & accessibility.
Colour Styles: A fun palette reflecting the brand and supporting the user experience.
Key UI Elements
Accordions as Collapsible Sections to Simplify Navigation and Reduce Information Overload
Callouts to Highlight Action Points and Essential Information
Interactive Components like Integrated Quizzes and Checklists to Increase Engagement
Consistent Form Elements for all Interactive States for Uniformity in Design
Design in Action: Applying the Design System
I created high-fidelity wireframes that integrated design system elements across different modules, focusing on maintaining consistency and usability. Feedback-driven iterations ensured both structure and visual appeal were refined.
Key Highlights
Efficient Use of Reusable Design Components like Callouts, Checklists, and Quizzes
Clear Content Hierarchy with Collapsible Sections and Cards
An Intuitive Content Management Module
A module enabling administrators to manage curriculum pages effortlessly, staying current with recent advancements.
Key Features
A Simplified Table-layout for Page Management Ensures Quick Access to all Curriculum Materials
A One-Stop Component Toolbar for Easy Content Editing
Intuitive Workflows for Updating Images, Quizzes, Checklists, and Other Content
Effortlessly add images & videos to enrich the curriculum.
Build and manage quizzes with ease.
Create checklists in seconds by simply adding items.
Enhance engagement with structured cards & popups.
Impact Metrics We’d Have Tracked
While the project is in the review and development stage, the following metrics are key to assessing the solution’s success:
User Problem Solving
Quantitative
Educator Adoption of Curriculum: Measure how the WebApp improves accessibility and usability.
Curriculum Update Frequency & Success Rate: Evaluate the ease of keeping content relevant.
Qualitative
Educator Feedback on Curriculum Usability: Assess whether the platform meets their needs.
Admin Experience with Content Management: Measure backend usability and efficiency.
Overall User Experience
Quantitative
Quiz Success Rate: Evaluate user comprehension and engagement.
Error Frequency: Identify current usability issues, particularly in content management.
Qualitative
User Pain Points: Highlight areas for improvement through real-world usage insights.
User Experience Ratings: Provide an overall satisfaction measure based on qualitative studies.
Final Thoughts
Next Steps
User Validation: Conduct user studies with the target users for real-world insights.
Iterate: Refine the design based on user insights and feedback.
Personal Reflections
Design System
Gained deeper insights into building scalable and consistent design systems.
Content Management
Refined my approach to simple, intuitive solutions for content management.
Skills Assessment
This project tested my ability to deliver high-quality designs at tight deadlines.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates my ability to create user-centred solutions that address real-world challenges, improving curriculum planning for educators.
Thank You
All images and screenshots are used for illustrative purposes only. Copyrights belong to their respective owners.
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