Lexicon Evolution is a flashcard mobile app catering to the user's need of timeframe, learning style and topic of choice.
My Roles:
Researcher & UX/UI Designer
Timeframe:
3 months
Problem:
With recent changes in education due to the pandemic, students and educators are looking for new tools to cater to different learning styles. This is so they can study and educate themselves in non traditional learning environments
Hypothesis:
We believe that be being able to create a flashcard app customizable to specific learning styles; users will be able to achieve their study goals with short focused study sessions wherever they can fit them in.
Student & New Learners looking to improve their vocabulary and study methods.
Who
Meant to be used on the go for 10-20 minutes at a time.
When
Design a mobile application which empowers people to learn new vocabulary.
Task:
Where
Anywhere!
Why
User's need a methodical way to study new vocabulary and concepts on the go.
Competitive Analysis:
I conducted a competitive analysis of three vocab building apps. Quizlet, Vocab Junkie, and Vocabulary App. I did this to find opportunities missed between three. Plus they were tools I knew my interviewees were using. This helped me reference their pain points later on during the interview process.
Competitive Analysis
Vocab Junkie
Vocab App
Quizlet
Positives:
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Uses algorithm which caters to users based on confidence level, using a color coding scale.
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Can be modified for a specific timescale and wording to meet a user's needs.
Negatives:
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Requires a download of a second app to be able to utilize all features.
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Requires Facebook log in for immediate access of use for second party app.
Summary:
The use of cognitive science and color coding caters to the user's specific needs and learning styles are what most users are looking for, however. The requirement of downloading a third party app is detouring many users from downloading the app.
Positives:
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Has auditory learning tools with pronunciation read aloud, and definition.
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Allows for organization of study by topic.
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With payment, user can scan in notes from a class to study.
Negatives:
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Difficult to navigate for first time users.
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Cannot be used offline, making studying on the go a challenge.
Summary:
Ideal for industry style learning. An entire institution could purchase the app and it would benefit teachers and students alike.
Positives:
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Allows users to unlock certain features of the app by watching ads/promotions.
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Multiple tools to cater to users learning style.
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User is able to set study timers and reminders to keep up.
Negatives:
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Limits learning to specific words per day, unless you pay.
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Don't have a choice of topic to study without paying.
Summary:
Best for those looking to broaden their vocabulary palette. Probably best for users looking to learn a new language. It lacks ability for users' specific focus and learning styles.
Interviews
I conducted three exploratory interviews with colleagues and friends who I knew were involved in a learning program at this time. My key goal was to find the collective needs and current pain points the users have currently experienced with the current application and study methods they are using.
Interview Script
Hi, I'm Mackenzie. I am conducting a few interviews to get a clear understanding about different learning styles expand their vocabulary. The interview itself, should take 10-15 minutes.
I am not testing you, so you cannot screw this up in anyway. I am testing the product. All questions are welcome at all times. Okay, I will be asking a series of short questions. Please answer honestly and to the best of your ability. Some questions, I may ask you to elaborate on. Others will be simpler.
Did you have any questions now?
Great. Let's begin!
Interview Questions
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Are you a student, professional or both?
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The last time, you tried to expand your vocabulary or learn a new language, what tools were available to you?
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Have you ever used a vocabulary building app? If so, what one?
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What about this app did you like?
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Is there anything you would change about this app?
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What goal did you have when downloading this app? Did you meet your goal?
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Do you know what your learning language (style of learning that best suits your needs) is?
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Do you feel the app catered to that learning style?
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What aspects of the app did you find most useful?
Key Take Away
Steph
Doing:
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I use online learning.
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Working with a high Spanish speaking population.
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I need to see it, do it then teach it, in order to fully learn it.
Evelyn
Doing:
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I practice my vocabulary daily.
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I use worksheets, and flashcards my teacher makes.
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I am at the top of my class for spelling and vocabulary.
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I am staying home and remote learning.
Feeling:
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I don't feel like the apps actually work.
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I really like the cute owl, he made me happy, and that I gained points to dress him.
Feeling:
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I like the games and colors. The rewards make me feel like I am improving.
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I feel like it's boring. I just do it because it's the assignment.
Greg
Thinking:
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I think my learning style is all of them.
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The app I use, I think is better for a vocab refresh vs learning new words.
Thinking:
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I don't like the other one.
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My style of learning, is hands on learning, I guess.
Thinking:
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I learn with repetition.
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If I can apply it to daily life, I learn it better.
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I make my own flashcards to study.
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I just started using an app this year.
Doing:
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I don't think an app can teach hands on learning.
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I know they are giving me the correct information.
Feeling:
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I feel like the app helps keep things fresh.
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I like that I can use it as a refresher just before my tests and quizzes.
Personas
Mary
35yrs
Trauma Nurse
Phoenix, AZ
Full time trauma nurse, looking to level up her career by going back to school for her CRNA. Volunteers with Red Cross on the side, and loves to travel.
Needs/Goals
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15 min study sessions to use on the go.
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Be able to cater to specific learning style.
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Set study times and reminders
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Be able to add own words/definitions.
Frustrations/Pain Points
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Has little time to study.
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Repeating words she already knows.
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Teaching style doesn't cater to her learning style.
"I learn by hearing, seeing and doing. Typical flashcard apps don't work for me. I am bettering myself so that I can advocate for my patients needs."
Seventh grade biology teacher. Lacrosse coach. Looking for a way to connect with students virtually during the pandemic.
Needs/Goals
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Be able to share vocab/study words via technology.
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Be able to cater to different learning styles.
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Be able to add own words/definitions.
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Be able to see how often students are access words and their progress.
Frustrations/Pain Points
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Kids are saying they are studying but little progress is shown.
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Restrictions with virtual teaching.
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Trying to meet all learning styles with virtual restrictions
"I try to cater to all kids learning styles. But teaching remotely makes that really difficult since kids only have access via computer."
Full time high school student. Partaking in remote learning. Has ADHD and struggles to focus. Is a gymnast and plays lacrosse.
Needs/Goals
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Be able to cater to her specific learning style.
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Set reminders to study.
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Be able to add definitions and vocabulary in her own words.
Frustrations/Pain Points
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Repeating words she already knows makes her lose interest quickly.
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Struggles with learning in general.
"I struggle with all types of learning. Learning remotely where I have to sit at a desk all day and stare at a computer has proven to be especially difficult."
James
Science Teacher
Tacoma, WA
43yrs
Sarah
Student
Denver, CO
15yrs
I originally created three personas. One from each of the adult learner and the traditional learner. As well, I created one focused on the user's perspective of the educator. As sometimes, they have views that focus on the user's need without the user knowledge. For the purpose of this assignment I used the first persona, of Mary for the rest of the assignment to cater to the user's needs as I designed and built the layout of the program. Mary is most in line with the client's demographic, and the purpose of the assignment.
User Stories
" As an adult learner, I want a way to be able to study on the go so that I can study in my free time and between jobs."
"As a full time parent and employee, I want a way to study for my finals in quick 10 min sessions that save my place so that when I come back to studying I don't lose my place and study the same content I already know"
"As a student, constantly studying different subjects I want a way to be able to gauge my knowledge of a word so that I can focus my study on knowledge I need to learn."
User Journey Map
PLEASED
DISPLEASED
User Flow
Task- I want to be able to increase the frequency which a word appears in a study session so that I can focus on words and phrases that I am not confident I know.
Entry Point- Open the vocabulary Training App Lexicon Evolution.
Success Criteria- Increased repetition of unknown words during a study session.
Before conducting interviews, I laid out the user flow, so that I had a clear understanding of the over all goal for the client's needs, as well I could visually see where any pain points and frustrations lay when a user was working through the process.
Site Map
Preliminary Wireframes
Onboarding
Logging In
Learning Options
Search for word
Saving
Uploading words, definitions and phrases
Usability Test Plan
Scope:
To determine the ease of navigation with Lexicon Evolution. Mainly it's functionality with user's progress in knowledge and organization of study words.
Session:
Conducted both remotely and in person. Timeframe 10-15 minute sessions.
Schedule:
I will be testing five participants individually. Two outliers and three participants who align with the clients key demographics.
Equipment:
Computer with browser and internet; Marvel, prototyping app; Notepad and pencil; Zoom screen sharing.
Metrics:
Jakob Nielsen's scale 0-4.
Task:
Opening App and Creating an Account.
Set study reminders
Search for new word, and save to deck.
Change primary definition of a word.
Change method of learning.
Observation:
N/A- No one had a problem.
Severity:
0
Not conducive to study flow.
Searching- Direct. No problems
Saving- Difficult and Confusing, interrupted the study flow.
Most user's aren't grasping the idea. Too messy and confusing.
Takes too long, and delays study flow. Needs to be able to set style for consistent use.
3
2/3
4
4
Recommendation:
N/A- No one had a problem.
Place it with each study deck created vs. only implementing at the beginning.
Make save option clearer; eliminate excess baggage.
Eliminate keep option, and remove save icon. Keep it simple with a button.
Have option to set main learning style when creating and setting up account. Then cater to each word individually if needed.
Determining the severity of pain points the users experienced, using Jakob Nielsen's scale; allowed me to restructure my flows and improve the user experience in the following ways.
Changes Made
Task 1:
No changes necessary
Task 2:
Place study reminders with each deck instead of upon set up!
Change locations where reminders are in task process.
Saving study times when creating a particular deck, allows the user to cater to their particular study needs!
Task 4;
Old- Eliminated heart icon, it's not familiar to non Instagram users.
New- Remove 'keep' option and implement 'save' button.
Remove keep option and implement save button.
Task 3:
Make save options more clear
Task 5:
Choose a different learning method.
Before:
Flash card appears, user has to choose learning style each flash card displayed.
Examples
Visual
Definitions
Kinesthetic
Auditory
*Learning styles presentation stays the same.
After:
Flash cards now reflect user's main style of learning.
Pick a main learning style during onboarding for consistent studying.
High Fidelity Wire Frames
Splash Screen:
Lingers for a moment for effect, before sliding down into the onboarding process.
Onboarding:
Highlights the main features of the app; the user's learning language, being able to study in 10-15 minute sessions, and reminding the user to study.
Logging in, Signing Up & Forgotten Password:
A password may be necessary for users who are looking to connect with classmates for study sessions, however. That is not one of the main features of the app at this point, this would be implemented in the future upon development.
Most recent topics for study.
Navigation Bar
User's goals and progress
User's personal decks made for specific topic to study.
Home Dashboard:
The graph's at the top represent the user's goals, and the progress they have made towards those goals. Next are the recent topics the user has accessed. Then personal decks the user has created for specific study of classes. Last the navigation bar, which is universal across all pages, allows the user to access all features of the app.
Searching & Adding Words:
The user can type in a specific word to add to a deck to study by searching via the icon on the navigation bar. This icon searches the internet for a word. Once the user finds the specific word they are searching for, they can click on the plus symbol to the left of the word and it is added to their data base to circulate through generic study sessions.
Creating deck & definition:
The user can type in a specific word to add to a deck to study by searching via the icon on the navigation bar. This icon searches the internet for a word. Once the user finds the specific word they are searching for, they can click on the plus symbol to the left of the word and it is added to their data base to circulate through generic study sessions.
Learning Languages:
Upon setting up the app the user can choose their style of learning to be the main source that appears on the flash card as the user is studying. If the user chooses to access another learning style they can do so via the icons across the bottom of the flash card. The user can choose between visual, auditory, kinesthetic, definition and examples.
The scale at the bottom of the flash card allows the user to rate their confidence in the word. The less confident, the more often the word will appear during a study session. The more confident, the less often the word will appear during a study session. This allows the user to focus their needs.
Conclusion
This case study was my introductory to UX. It taught me a lot about communication, and how much more I need to utilize it for clarification purposes. I did not get the clarification needed and had to "redo" the entire assignment. I would rather ask a question and get it right for the client's needs and purposes than waste anyone's time. Clear details, requirements and intentions are a must when working with a team, no one is a mind reader. Besides the confusion in communication, I thoroughly enjoyed this assignment. I was excited when I discovered more fluid ways for a user to accomplish a task, as well; when I was able to eliminate a pain point for a user and they were overall excited for the product, this I knew would satisfy the clients needs in developing the app. Overall, I would call this task a success in learning, and in product development.