Brain Bridge

UX Design + research

Project Overview

Design a user-friendly web application designed for tutors, teachers, and parents to collaborate efficiently. It bridges the communication and coordination gap between these stakeholders and effectiveness in the tutoring process helping to optimize learning outcomes

PROJECT LENGTH: Febuary-May 2023

‍ROLE: UX Designer and Researcher
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‍TOOLS: Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator

Context

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, elementary education has faced significant challenges. As students wereforced to learn from home, test scores in reading and math have shown a substantial decline since 2019. This decline is particularly pronounced among children from low-income backgrounds and families of color, exacerbating existing inequalities. Furthermore, the private tutoring industry, which has been proven effective in accelerating learning, has largely excluded students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Previous attempts to establish tutoring programs nationwide have fallen short, primarily due to the high demand placed on schools and families for coordination, as well as the lack of support and communication provided to parents
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The problem at hand is the lack of a centralized platform that effectively coordinates tutoring programs between organizations and school districts while ensuring clear communication among teachers, tutors, and parents. To address this problem, a comprehensive platform is needed to streamline coordination, facilitate seamless communication, and provide tutors with resources to troubleshoot problems and access school curriculum.

Synthesis of Findings

After completing interviews I took my findings and organized them. I found emerging themes and common sentiments that were expressed by participants

Standardization and Efficiency
The centralization of software platforms and tools used in education could greatly improve efficiency and simplify the teacher's digital workload.
Lack of Communication
There is a clear need for better communication enhance collaboration and align tutoring sessions with classroom instruction.
Having Tutors as a Resource
Tutors would have more one on one time with students so teachers would like to know how the tutors feel the students are progressing and what challenges they face.
Standardization
There is a lack of coordination and alignment between tutoring and classroom instruction. Teachers want to make sure that tutors are following the standardized teaching methods to stay on course.

Features

Messaging and Communication Tools

Enable easy communication among tutors, teachers, and parents.

Scheduling and calendar

Functions enable efficient coordination of schedules to find times that work for everyone.

Robust progress tracking system

Grade tracking, progress reports, and analytics dashboards.

Resource Sharing

Enforce the standardization of learning techniques and ciriculume through document and file sharing

Design Proposition

Brain Bridge serves as an all-in-one platform that enhances communication, coordination, and effectiveness in the tutoring process. It provides a user-friendly interface, messaging tools, scheduling capabilities, progress tracking features, and resource sharing functionalities, enabling tutors, teachers, and parents to collaborate efficiently and optimize student learning outcomes. Brain Bridge would make it possible to implement tutoring in schools without placing a burden on teachers and parents. Having tutors in school rather than a privatized after school extra circular would help the acceleration of learning for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds who are being excluded from the opportunity to benefit.

Sketches & Iterations

Equipped with a comprehension of user challenges and requirements, I set out to transform the insights into practical solutions. To initiate this stage, I commenced by drafting initial designs that encapsulated the essential functionalities pinpointed in the research. These drafts functioned as a visual brainstorming aid, enabling me to explore various layouts and interactions. Concurrently, I undertook the methodical task of crafting an experiential map.

Wireframes

Taking into account the insights derived from our research and having charted the user journey through an experience map, we proceeded to the subsequent phase: the development of wireframes. These wireframes served as the foundational plan for our web app's layout and functionality. The low-fidelity wireframes enabled us to concentrate on the core structure and user flow without becoming entangled in visual specifics, allowing for rapid iteration and experimentation with various layouts and the refinement of key feature placements.

Once the low-fidelity wireframes were honed and confirmed, we elevated our design work to the next level by transitioning to high-fidelity wireframes. In this stage, we incorporated finer design elements, integrating color palettes, typography selections, and realistic content to enhance the overall look and feel.

Results + Reflection

Throughout the design process of Brain Bridge, valuable lessons have been learned and insightful reflections have emerged. One key lesson learned is the importance of addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by students in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. I learnd how much covid has affected young children and the stress it has placed on teachers aswell. The elementary education gap post-COVID has highlighted the urgency for innovative solutions that promote inclusivity and equity.
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As a researcher, this project has provided a valuable opportunity for growth. Engaging in user interviews, prototyping, and refining the design has deepened the understanding of the challenges faced by students and the role technology can playin addressing those challenges. This project has fostered an appreciation for the iterative nature of the design process and the importance of continuously learning and adapting to meetthe evolving needs of the target audience.

In this project, a valuable lesson in self-motivation andtime management has been learned. Embracing a highstandard and pushing oneself beyond limits paves the way for remarkable achievements, culminating in tangible results thatserve as a testament to personal growth and dedicated effort.
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