Torpedu
Mobile App - UI/UX Design - Design System
Torpedu is a virtual classroom management system that adapts to the learning styles of the individual learner or teams to maximize engagement.
CLIENT
iWork Technologies
Oct 2021 - Jul 2022
INVOLVEMENT
User Research
Competitor Analysis
User Flows
Design Systems
Usability Testing
DELIVERABLES
Design Systems
Mobile App
PROJECT TEAM
1 Designer
1 Product Manager
5 Developers
DESIGN IMPACT
25% increase in weekly platform usage within the first month.
50% decrease in dropout rates with personalized learning paths.
PROBLEM
COVID-19 led to a surge in virtual classroom learning as coaching and hobby classes had to adopt virtual/hybrid modes.
Users had to rely on multiple platforms for various purposes such as sharing study materials, conducting classes, and administrative tasks.
Initial Problem statement from iWork Technologies
"How might we provide an app that consolidates online tools and platforms to address the diverse needs of different end-users in the post-pandemic era?”
USER RESEARCH
We had to consider not only our direct customers (institute admin and teachers) but also our customers' customers (students) as our end-users, each with distinct problem statements and challenges.
I conducted research with users who have experience with similar apps to dig deeper into the goals, motivations, needs, and frustrations. By analyzing this data, I identified common pain points and areas for improvement, which informed the design and development of our app.
Method: Surveys, In-person Interviews, Focus Groups, Competitor Analysis
MAPPING USER FLOWS
To deliver a comprehensive and seamless experience, we identified an end-to-end product flow that empowers users to achieve their goals, from institute staff creating classrooms to students successfully engaging with teachers.
Approaching a Solution
In the fast-paced startup environment, quick turnaround was imperative. We adapted to agile development methodologies, embracing flexibility and iterative design cycles to keep up with the pace of development.
GOAL 1
HMW organize all class resources in one intuitive and accessible location?
“Missed deadlines and confused students are constant issues – a better notification system would make a huge difference.”
Logan, Teacher
“Navigating the system to upload resources and manage assignments is confusing.”
Teresa, Teacher
Key Insight
Difficulty navigating multiple interfaces, logins, and notification systems, hindering their learning journey.
Opportunity
Introduce a streamlined class management system with easy resource organization and grading tools.
The Classroom brings together class schedules, deadlines, and materials in one seamless experience. By testing the classroom flow with teachers, we aimed to gather diverse perspectives and address pain points specific to them.
TESTING & ITERATIONS
USER TESTING INSIGHTS
How can the classroom flow effectively support teaching and communication within each classroom?
Teachers want easy search across all tabs (Study Materials, Assignments, etc.) to quickly find specific resources.
Search and Discoverability
01
Enable seamless adding and editing of resources within each tab for efficient resource management.
Resource Management
02
Provide visual cues within the classroom for timely updates without overwhelming users with notifications.
Communication and Updates
03
SOLUTION 1
Create and navigate individualized learning spaces
Tab-specific search, customizable filters and sorting, and clear category structures to quickly find resources within the classroom
Faster content discovery
Seamlessly manage resources with updates
A contextual "Add New" menu, drag-and-drop organization, and tab badges help avoid notification overload.
Badges instantly draw attention to tabs where new resources are added.
The intuitive "Add New" menu streamlines resource addition.
GOAL 2
HMW enhance operational efficiency for more conversions?
“We lose potential enrollments because they're hesitant to commit blindly.”
Alex, Admissions Counselor
“Our current admission system is clunky, leading to mismatched expectations and even lost enrollments.”
Andrea, Program Co-ordinator
Key Insight
Students are hesitant to enroll without experiencing the class and teaching style, leading to lesser conversions.
Opportunity
Facilitate efficient inquiry management with personalized course recommendations and trial classes.
The enrollment process is pivotal for the Institute staff in turning hesitant potential students into engaged learners. User testing helped us evaluate the effectiveness of personalized course recommendations and trial classes in enticing students to enroll in a classroom.
TESTING & ITERATIONS
USER TESTING INSIGHTS
Why are potential students hesitant to enroll, and how can we use the enrollment process to address their concerns?
Adding staff introductions, success stories, and FAQs addressing common concerns like cost, commitment, and learning style.
Build Trust and Credibility
01
Implementing quizzes, polls, or short assessments to provide personalized classroom recommendations
Data-Driven Optimization
02
SOLUTION 2
Fewer inquiries and smoother enrollment
Free trial for the classrooms lets users experience the learning environment, instructor, and content firsthand without commitment.
Explore Classrooms with a Free Trial
Provide tailored support to students to overcome enrollment barriers and make informed decisions.
Personalized Support with a Counselor
HMW create a tailored learning path with checkpoints?
GOAL 3
“It's hard to stay motivated when you're at home, without a teacher right there pushing you.”
Lilli, Student
“The constant notifications stress me out, and then I put things off.”
Samuel, Student
Key Insight
Feeling overwhelmed leads to difficulty in prioritizing and completing tasks
Opportunity
Provide a customizable dashboard with task recommendations and progress tracking.
We wanted to create a dashboard that feels tailored and motivates students to engage with their learning. User testing allowed us to directly observe how students interact with the dashboard, identifying confusing elements, and features that they don't use as intended. This helped us validate your design direction and make informed decisions for improvement.
TESTING & ITERATIONS
What elements of the dashboard motivate students to stay engaged and what elements felt confusing or unhelpful?
USER TESTING INSIGHTS
Balance personalization and control
01
Students appreciate tailored suggestions but crave customization options for tasks.
Reduce overwhelm by presenting a snippet of current tasks with easy access to a detailed calendar view.
Condensed Dashboard
02
Showcase progress visually
03
Use clear, intuitive elements and engaging visuals for progress tracking.
SOLUTION 3
Transform learning into a rewarding journey
Receive relevant tasks based on your learning goals and progress.
Prioritize, filter, and hide tasks to match your individual needs.
Easily view a few upcoming tasks without feeling overwhelmed.
Personalized Learning Paths
Condensed Dashboard with current tasks for a focused view.
Flexible scheduling and intuitive task organization.
Leveraging the existing brand identity, I designed an accessible design system for the virtual classroom app with consistent visual elements like color palettes, typography, and icons.
DESIGN SYSTEM
User feedback and technical challenges illuminated avenues for further growth
WHAT I LEARNED
Empathy for users: Acknowledging potential learning curves, especially for less tech-savvy users like older teachers, is crucial for successful adoption.
Technical foresight: Plan for potential technical complexities when integrating the app with existing institutional systems like CRMs or LMS.
Prioritization is power: Prioritizing and streamlining features based on user needs and technical feasibility ensures a smooth, efficient development process and a more enjoyable user experience.
NEXT STEPS
This project has been a voyage of discovery, revealing both the challenges and potential of transforming education through technology.
Weaving gamification and interactive features into the app, creating a rewarding and engaging experience that fosters a love for learning.
Embracing an iterative approach, conducting regular testing rounds to refine the app's structure, content, and visuals, ensuring it continually evolves and adapts to the ever-changing needs of our users.
Harnessing the power of AI to personalize content recommendations and tailor learning paths, empowering each user to navigate their own unique educational journey.