What is xplify?
xplify is a responsive web teaching application. With xplify, lessons can take place despite the shortage of teachers by giving the instructor the ability to remotely teach multiple classrooms simultaneously.
With the prognosis for the coming years in education predicting fewer teachers available per school, distance learning has presented itself as a potential, equitable solution.
How would it work?
A teacher, instructing from a remote location, can connect with up to three classrooms simultaneously. Interaction with the class takes place using a live video feed from the instructor and a classroom panorama camera, as well as cameras at each workstation (laptop, tablet, etc.).
The students are accompanied by an in-class mentor who helps them facilitate their basic needs in the classroom.
The software supports teachers in their daily instruction providing attendance, grading, quiz databases, etc. through live, multi-camera video feeds while improving feedback and self-reflection through machine learning driven input.
The teacher's attention is specifically targeted towards students who need it, based on their grades/rating and amount of participation in previous lessons.
It is easy to set up, as well as integrate into existing systems, and does not pose any data protection concerns.
What was I tasked to do?
I was contracted to take their existing user stories/concept and:
1. Create User Flows
2. Develop Information Architecture
3. Design Low and Medium Fidelity Prototypes
The Challenge:
Through the use of mid-fidelity prototypes, demonstrate how this software would operate using three user perspectives.
The Instructor
The Student
The Mentor
User Stories
The initial user stories developed cover all the major interactions needed for an MVP.
Though the client had provided these starting points, fleshing them out revealed lots of questions about the specific functionality of each feature.
It was my job to find the answers.
User Story “Auswahl Assistent” (Raising one's hand)
This is one of the more important features in the software, distinguishing it from other solutions on the market.
Using machine learning, an algorithm determines which students need the attention of the instructor most.
Based on their grades and how often they participate, the students are prioritized in the “Auswahl Assistent” list of students who have raised their hands.
Those who have not participated at all or infrequently are bumped to the top of the lists.
With the large number of students expected, this gives the instructor an easy way to prioritize students that might need help.
There are two user stories in this category: Students raising their hands and Instructors calling on the students
Students raising their hands :
User story: As a student I can raise my hand. As long as my hand is raised I see a notification on my screen.
User story: As an instructor I see a sorted list of students who have raised their hands.
Instructors calling on the students:
User story: As an instructor I can click on the sorted list or the notification to select a student. The student can now be heard, seen and share their screen.
User story: When the instructor has answered the student, the student is muted and their screen is no longer shared.
User flow
Wireframes
Initial notes and sketches are based on concepts provided by the client, wherein a “palette” would provide the tool where the instructor can be notified of students “raising their hands”.
From here he can call on the students as well as give them a grade.
There are three sections/methods in which the students are grouped, depending on their level of participation and grades.
Initially, the client concept separated the two functions into two palettes, the SuS Monitor (Student Monitor) and the Meldung (Notification).
The Student Monitor palette would prioritize the students and suggest with whom the instructor should interact with first. The Notification palette would indicate which students have raised their hands.
Initial Concept: Separate “Meldung” and “Student Monitor” Palette
I observed that this solution had several overlaps in function and was confusing.
The original concept had the Student Monitor provide recommendations on which student should be picked, and the Notification palette was doing the same, just arranged differently.
We decided to combine these two palettes into one, providing an easier and more intuitive way to engage with the students.
Revised Concept: “Auswahl-Assistent” (collapsed state)
One can either select one of three students directly, which will launch the student's screen share/video camera or click on the header notification to expand the palette providing the entire list of students who are either raising their hands or have not yet participated.
Revised “Auswahl-Assistent”/“Meldeliste” (expanded state)
Medium Fidelity Wireframe of xplify interface with 3 school panorama cameras and groups
Medium Fidelity Wireframe with expanded “Auswahl-Assistent”, student selection and grading
