Project Summary

Context

'Merge Explorer' is an educational augmented reality mobile app that allows people to explore educational topics from a multiple of STEM topics. The app integrates into the larger 'Merge Edu' platform that provides teachers and students with resources they need to succeed.

Utilizing 3D graphics and AR technology students learn in an in-depth and hands on way.

Problem

Traditional education mediums (Textbooks, 2D imagery, video...etc) are information dense and can be difficult to attract and retain the attention of students.

Solution

Develop an easy to use software tool (app), targeted at the students and teachers in K-12 education that encourages students to engage with educational STEM topics in a hands-on and interactive way to boost information retention and learning outcomes.

Professional Work

Work as part of my time at Merge Labs Inc.

Role

Creative Lead (UX/3D)
‍
- Planning
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- User Testing/QA
- Design

Timeframe

Version One | 1-year*

User Personas

Name
Goal Statement
Pain Point
Name
Chidi, 26
Student
Goal Statement
Needs to be able to know what's happening in their local government as they happen.
Pain Point
Government legislation websites are often old and hard to navigate.
Name
Linda, 35
Manager
Goal Statement
Needs a way to keep up to date with specific bills and representatives activity locally.
Pain Point
Doesn't have a lot of time due to their busy schedule
Name
Cindy, 43
Accountant
Goal Statement
Needs a way to quickly search and read new legislation.
Pain Point
Legislation is often long and tiring to read and is straining on the eyes on small screens.
Images by pikisuperstar at freepik.com

Ideation

Initial Concepts

At the start 'Merge Explorer' was designed to be a stand-alone mobile app, although it would later evolve to be part of a larger 'Merge Edu' platform and suite of mobile apps offered as a subscription. However, even in this early stage of development the core features of the app were decided on based on preliminary and continuing research, interviews and feedback with educators and curriculum guidance based on the NCSS standards.

The core features of the app include...

- A content browser students can utilize to see various STEM categories.
- Modules nested under the stated categories that lead to 3D interactive content.
- And various 'view modes' to accommodate different device types limitations and utilize their features.

(Due to the original concepts being drafted in notebooks I do not have any copies to showcase for this project.)

Wireframes

The initial wireframes (Phase One) were built around the initial concept drawings and research. The three core flows shown here are 'Category Browsing', 'Module Study', and 'Content Interaction'

These wireframes were built into functional prototypes by the programming team and tested internally to resolve any major usability issues and refined over various iterations eventually leading to external user testing.

User Testing Results

Usability Studies

Multiple rounds of moderated, task driven usability studies were conducted. Participants were given a number of tasks to complete within a core user flow, once completed were asked a number or questions ranging from their experience with the user interface, points of frustration and if there are features that they think are important that are missing in the design.
1
Feature Request
Educators requested additional browsing features as the initial setup requires too much scrolling to find a particular module.
2
Feature Request
Educators wanted better integrations into their curriculum.
3
Usability Problem
Some users didn't have devices that had robust camera tracking features resulting in the apps interactive elements not working for them.

Key Performance Indicators

User testing was conducted as in person moderated studies and more informal testing by giving educators access to prototypes and free trials and soliciting feedback. Feedback and testing was continued throughout release to continue to refine the product as problems arose in real world use cases.

During in person studies, we measured how long it took users to complete various tasks, error and drop of frates
Time on Task
User Error Rates
Drop-off Rates
System Usability Scale

Conclusions

Through user testing we were able to gain valuable insight into users needs and make improvements to designs that would not have been visible otherwise. The core user experience was proven and improvements, additions and some removals to the base product were made.

Final Design

Mobile App Designs & Screenshots

The final app has various improvements driven by usability studies and feedback from educators and students. The introduction of a sidebar allows for the home screen to be drastically simplified and prepared the app to be more scalable as content and features are added. The addition of a 'Categories' page made browsing the app significantly easier for educators and students.

The introduction of the sidebar also allowed for jumping off points to access users accounts, settings and works as an area to promote a premium access subscription for free users.

Later in development the app was adapted for ipads, Android tablets and Chromebooks, utilizing the unique features of each device type and introducing a mode for devices without advanced camera features that allows users to interact with 3D content as a standard screen-based content viewer.

Educator Dashboard

As the 'Merge Explorer' matured, the concept of the 'Educator Dashboard' came to fruition to tie Explorer and it's companion 'Merge Object Viewer' together as the beginning of a suite of offerings by Merge Edu. The introduction of the dashboard also allowed educators to access lesson plans and activities, manage their virtual classrooms and more.

Much like the Explorer app, the dashboard was designed with direct feedback from educators and students.
Merge Explorer, Merge Edu and Merge Object Viewer are property of Merge Labs, Inc.

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