My Thesis Blog
Thesis Topic: Middle School Virtual Learning
Goal: help middle school children adapt, navigate, and learn in the online learning environment.
Audience: Middle School Students & Teachers
Invision Link: OctoEd website mobile version
Invision Link: OctoEd Virtual Learning Platform


Explain how you put the draft presentation together. Can you think of any improvements you still want to do?
I began putting the draft presentation together, by introducing my thesis topic and then showing my work in the order that I completed it throughout the semester, with user testing at the end. I need to add narration and explanations of each item. I think the layout of some pages also needs some work to create a better flow and more consistency. I also wasn't sure if I should have the raw files for each screen as its own page or I should put multiple per page. I think you get a better view if it is full screen, but there are more than 30 screens, so the presentation gets pretty long!

Is there anything left to finish? If so what, and what is your plan to finish?
It is very much a draft at this point and is missing a lot of the narration of each step. I also still need to add the visual standards guide and process journal. I want to go back in and narrate my process, decisions, and outcomes. I would also like to add comments about the next steps. I will be adding the visual standards guide as well, with refinements that I have been making since its last submission.

Describe the most useful and interesting things you have learned in this module
I think the most interesting thing that I learned this semester is that I wish I had kept my files a little better organized. It was difficult to find items that were completed in past modules because even though they were organized in that module, I couldn't always remember what module to find them in. As my thesis project becomes more refined and more items are getting closer to completion, I think it would be better to be working out of master files, instead of organizing work by module.

Thesis Topic: Middle School Virtual Learning
Goal: help middle school children adapt, navigate, and learn in the online learning environment.
Audience: Middle School Students & Teachers
Invision Link: OctoEd website mobile version
Invision Link: OctoEd Virtual Learning Platform
Debrief us on what happened in user testing, including how it might affect your project, and what you plan to do about it. Examine your materials matrix, timeline, and strategies, and then tell us how you plan to adjust your strategies, designs, or deliverables
Website: users found the website easy to navigate, pleasing to look at and easy to read. They both wanted to see more and to get an opportunity to view examples of the learning platform as well as a run-through (coming when I produce the video after the platform is complete). Both were also interested in seeing the desktop version as they would be more likely to visit the website on their computer.
Remediation:

• I will build out the student materials kit and pricing pages as well as create the walkthough video.
• Might add more photos of platform.
• I will prototype the website for desktop

Learning Platform: Both users found the website easy to navigate and liked the set up. I even got feedback that it was so much less stressful than Canvas! The only confusing part was the arrow to see the other student videos. All other comments revolved around the social media page, which they were excited about and wanted to see built out further. Here are some comments:

• Connect: comment section should be under pictures, not next to them.
• Likes the name for the social media, but suggested OctoConnect
• Thinks Connect page is fun and exciting.
• Screen was simple and not confusing or overwhelming (He mentioned that he has ADHD and often gets distracted)
• Social Media/Connect: should have the option to separate the chat from the social media thread. Maybe a button to open the chat options and and option to chat in a new window or in a smaller window on the social media page (how it is now). He was a little overwhelmed on this screen.
• Suggested an name and icon change for Connect (reminds him of signing onto the wifi. Icon should be 2 people talking. Name suggestions: Hub, School Media, or School Social.

Remediation:

• Build out more of Social Media
• Rename Connect (OctoConnect?)
• Look at options for the chat feature

What have you learned from your user testing experience? What went wrong? Is there anything you would do differently next time?
User testing had some hiccups this week. I had a family of 3 middles schoolers and 2 parents that I was visiting in PA this week to test both my learning platform and website, however I had to find replacements. One of my young users was hospitalized so I was unable to visit as the family was busy dealing with that and getting her better. I plan on still getting their input once she is home and healthy.
I was able to contact two teacher friends and 2 middle school age kids last minute to run though the prototypes for me following my directions, and then answers questions about their experience and to provide feedback/suggestions.
Next time I will get the prototypes done sooner so I have more time to deal with unexpected hiccups! I will also line up more users.
How might you use your thesis project to tell stories, run experiments, facilitate interactions, entertain people, cajole responses, and link media?
Creating scenarios for the user to run through makes it interesting to showcase what the platform can do. I think I could use that storytelling element t and anecdotes from real classroom experiences to show how OctoEd will solve though classroom hiccups.
Describe the most useful and interesting things you have learned this module.
I think hearing how the users reacted to the social media outlet within the learning platform was exciting and helpful to know that I am on the right track. I also learned that things do always go as planned and to have a backup!

Thesis Topic: Middle School Virtual Learning
Goal: help middle school children adapt, navigate, and learn in the online learning environment.
Audience: Middle School Students & Teachers
This week I really dug into the different controls and pop-ups that will help the student navigate through the Virtual Learning Platform. As I move through each screen I have realized that there are more buttons and controls needed and space needs to be made, so there has been a lot of tweaking and fine-tuning. As I work through this process I am moving into the prototype so I can see how each screen operates and get it ready to present to my user testing group early next week. I will be continuing to work on the various pages and elements thought the coming week.
In thinking about how my thesis project could help middle school students across the country to better adapt to attending school virtually or within a hybrid classroom. I would love to continue to develop the platform and eventually present it to schools for distribution.
The most useful and interesting thing I have learned this week is that the more in-depth I get into building this learning platform, the more I realize it entails. There are a lot of fine details that can make or break the effectiveness of the system!

This week I spent some more time studying different virtual learning platforms and social media platforms to see how I can combine the best features and elements to create a space that would cater to the needs and interests of the middle school student. I began designing the social media portion of my learning platform, referred to as Connect. I shifted my screen size again because I realized that there were too many restraints working in the iPad size and I wanted to get in all the elements before adjusting to the iPad. I am designing based on Chrome Book measurements as that is what most school students have. I also made adjustments and refinements to the other areas of the platform based on feedback.

Thesis Topic: Middle School Virtual Learning
Goal: help middle school children adapt, navigate, and learn in the online learning environment.
Audience: Middle School Students & Teachers

• Describe your design process with the second deliverable.

This week I decided to change the format of the learning platform and move to a smaller screen. Because most students will be working on an iPad or Chrome book, they will be working on a much smaller screen than I had originally designed for. While I want it to be a responsive layout, I think it is smarter to start small so that the small screen can accommodate all that I want to include most effectively. I was also going to design a social media/messaging section this week but that didn't make it to the computer stage. However, I have notes and layout ideas planned.

• Give us an update on your user testing.

I have contacted teachers and parents of middle school students to test the website via Zoom. We are working out dates and times.

• How do you currently promote yourself as a designer?

I have my website and blog for my thesis as well as Instagram and Facebook accounts. For my personal design, I have another Instagram and Facebook account, as well as a website.

• How are you sharing your thesis with the world?

Through my blog and Social Media accounts. Although I need to get better at promoting myself on social media.

• How do you think you can draw more social media traffic and attention to your work?

I need to invite more audience members and encourage current followers to share and join in on discussions. I can create discussion posts and ask for opinions and advice on the design and the features of the program.

• Describe the most useful and interesting things you have learned in this module

This week I learned that it is important to let people in on the design process. Sometimes as designers we get so hung up on the final product that we don't enjoy, celebrate, and share the process, which is just as or sometimes more important.

Initial Thoughts:
As I was updating my virtual learning platform with new icons and some structural and visual elements that have evolved since last semester, I began to re-evaluate
some of the pages and elements of the learning platform.
The following pages are the updated LMS pages with explanations of each page and pro/con lists.

Notes:
• Need better grid throughout
• Navigation needs improvement (new options at the end)
• Communication/Connect: design with inspiration from social media platforms
• Should there be a mobile app for communication purposes? Or should it be a part of the LMS? Options to message or post to discussion boards.
• Icons need a better color system.

Reflection Prompts:

• What final adjustments are you making to the materials you have created already and why?
  This week I also continued to edit the visual strategy guide. I am adding more detailed icon rules such as sizing allowances, clear space, brand signature, logo don'ts, and more robust typeface guidelines. I will update these for review this coming week.
• How is your user testing progress so far?
  I have compiled a list of parents teachers from prior user testing sessions. Arranging times to meet with teachers and parents via Zoom. (This is for the website, not the learning platform)
• Does the idea of affordances resonate with you? How might you apply it to your materials?
  The majority of my deliverable materials are digital, this allows me the ability to have a little more flexibility with my design. However, in order to provide interesting and interactive UX, I need to adapt to using responsive designs.
• How are the materials you are using impacting how you are designing (or not)?
  Again, most of my deliverables are digital (website, and virtual learning platform) As for the Student Materials kit, I have the ability to be more flexible and design according to materials that the students could use with their digital devices. I am designing a book/agenda, as well as a laptop cover or skin, a mouse and digital pens, and a bag to keep it all in.
• What are the most useful and interesting things you have learned in this module?
  I learned that it helps to get a fresh perspective on your designs. After not working on the learning platform for a while, I am seeing it in a different light and noticing things that are not working, are working, or things that can be improved. In one sense I feel like I am going back to the drawing board, but I think I can take what works and merge it with new elements that will improve the UX and functionality of the system.
  

Thesis Topic: Middle School Virtual Learning
Goal: help middle school children adapt, navigate, and learn in the on-line learning environment.
Audience: Middle School Students  & Teachers
This week I worked on refining and completing the website for OctoEd where teachers, administrators and even parents can get information about the LMS and order a free trial. After I made adjustments to the desktop website, I made 3 other versions using a responsive layout. I created two for the iPad: one horizontal, and one vertical. I think created a responsive version for a smart phone.
This week I also continued working on the Thesis Process Book and added to the visual system guides. I still want to add descriptive text along with the imagery.

• What have you learned from the process of research and creation in your thesis journey?
  
  • During the process of creating the website and visual guidelines, I learned that there a lot of really good examples of well made websites and process journals that can be used for inspiration. I think the last few weeks I have felt a little stunted in the creativity department. Looking at well designed examples helped to spark the creative juices and to create layouts that are visually pleasing as well a easy to navigate. I also learned that you need to guide the user through your pages with not only visuals but written explanations. I am lacking that at this point in many areas, but will continue to add them as I add to the book.
    
• How has your visual system developed? What works and what needs improvement?
  
  • I think my visual system is developing nicely. Every week I add different elements to expand an the visual system so that it doesn't get too repetitive. However I also want it to be consistent. I feel it is in a constant flux of adding, revising, and tweaking. However it has a good base and a consistent look and feel throughout. I need to add written explanations to the pages of the guidelines to help the viewer understand the imagery better.
    
• What about your product? Are there things you would change? Why? Why not?
  
  • I am still refining and editing the virtual learning platform. There are times that I wonder if I should still only be targeting middle school students, instead of all K-8 or K-12. However, I am often reminded how unique the mind of a middle schooler is and how their needs are most specifically not being met with the current platforms on the market. I still need to get to the heart of social media and communication to enhance those features in my platform, to better appeal to my target audience.
    
• Describe the most useful and interesting things you have learned about yourself and the process of research and design in your thesis journey so far.
  
  • During the process of research I have learned a lot about pacing myself and time management. Even the most organized people can get overwhelmed if the don't pace themselves. I have also learned that it is important to look to the experts and to constantly be looking at design to keep ideas fresh and flowing. It is very easy to get a creative block when you are designing for 2 graduate course plus the thesis. I still have a lot to do, but I think I am at a point where it is all coming into focus and I can bring it all together. The next 7 weeks are going to be very busy!
    

This week I spent a great deal of time working on the website. I added the footer and a hamburger menu. I am not sure if it works better on the left side or the right. Although I am leaning towards the left. I am just not sure if it takes away from the OctoEd logo if they are on the same side. In addition, I added a virtual assistant chatbox, I edited the Get Started page to have 2 boxes instead of one, I created a sign-in page, and I created a video page. I also started thinking about the video and what it will consist of. It will have a walk-through of the LMS, so I don't think I can create it until the learning platform is completed.

• How have you chosen to comp your prototype? What resources do you need?
  • For the website, I will create a working prototype and comp the pages in Photoshop. For the Student Materials kit, I will be using Adobe Dimension to comp the items. For the print materials, I will be doing a combination of printing and digital comping.
• What did you learn during this process that was new or interesting?
  • I started using Adobe Dimension over the summer in Packaging 3. It is a great tool for creating life-like comps. However, it takes up a lot of memory and ram in the computer and requires a lot of time for rendering. I have to make sure to leave enough time to complete all of my comps.
  • I also realized that I need to create a video for my website. This will not be completed by mod 7, as it requires the LMS to be completed. I will have to add that to the beginning part of Thesis 3.
    

This week I continued to modify my Thesis Journal. I made revisions based off of instructor feedback and added mood boards. I still need to write descriptions, re-work DS CHART AND Materials Matrix, and continue to add elements.
This week, I also decided to take a different direction with the website layout and am much happier with the results. I created 4 screens for feedback.
For Website user testing I plan on using the method of Usability Testing: evaluative method to observe a users task based experience I can use this method to determine frustration points and ease of use. If the users are asked to think out loud as they complete each task I can get a better understanding of how they view usability and ease of use. I will perform this via Zoom with classroom teachers.

This week I began experimenting with adding illustration to the visual system. I drew some basic doodle/sketchy school supplies and placed them within the circles. I trued a few variations and experimented putting the illustrations and new graphic elements into the system. I then did some future exploration of my icon system. I tried using all black within the circles and all white.
I am still working out layouts for the website and will update that this week.
Lastly, I became formatting my thesis process journal. I developed a layout and grid and began building the pages and placing the required sections and elements. It still needs some work with layout and how the elements will fill the pages. I will also update the DS chart and Materials Matrix to match the visual System more cohesively and to match the formatting of the book.