02 MOODLE REDESIGN2023
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The main objective of this project is to create a UX-based solution for Moodle, a LMS (Learning Management System) used in educational institutes.
Throughout our group analysis of Moodle as a learning management system, we found a few positive aspects that fulfils its primary target audience.
Although these are all positive aspects, there are still much to be improved. Along with our analysis of the positives of the app, we also include a short suggestion of how it can be further improved.
PROJECT CONTRIBUTIONS:
I aided with user research, collating data and generating the relevant personas and empathy maps. With this data, we iterated paper prototypes and converted them to digital prototypes for additional user testing.
RESEARCH PROCESS:
We first started with identifying the different target audiences, and created personas by analyzing results of user surveys.
We identified the target audiences of our redesign to be primarily students, and secondarily professors or lecturers.
With these personas, we identified potential solutions and iterated through various design choices with user testing to validate our rationales.
PERSONA GENERATION & PAPER PROTOTYPINGHaving acquired the necessary information and solutions, we set off by generating personas using data collated, as well attempting to address issues identified during the interview process. We also started on paper prototypes to quickly generate and come up with solutions.
SURVEY AND INTERVIEW FINDINGS
PERSONAS
LOW TO HIGH FIDELITY PROTOTYPINGAfter additional testing to verify design choices, we moved on to digital low fidelity prototypes for additional testing. Further iterations also included the updating of text, icons and colors based on a style guide the team developed.
While we had made design changes and overhauls for quite a number of features, I will focus on one feature and talk about the design process.
SELECTED FEATUREI have selected the Module feature of Moodle, given that it exists as the core of Moodle.
Users generally tend to find the Module feature to be:
- Clunky
- Primitive
- Unintuitive
Over the course of this project, we will aim to reduce pain points and improve the user experience of the Module feature.
ORIGINAL PAGE
General Feedback
Users were given tasks to complete, grading them on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly disagreeing / very inconvenient, and 5 being strongly agreeing / very convenient.
Users found the current Module page to be messy, with the following average grade for tasks:
1. Understanding Module Code to Module Name — 1
2. Finding Course Material — 2
3. Checking of Grades — 2
4. Submitting Assignments — 1
PAPER SKETCHES
Difference In Layout
The modules page consisted of a stationary sidebar that provides quick access to all the important sections of the modules, such as announcements, attendance, and the current week. Additionally, other non-essential or non-useful links like badges or competencies have been removed as many of our user testers claim that they do not use them at all.
Most importantly, the main content section has its size reduced and its position centered to ensure optimal readability. The current Moodle has unlimited width based on the desktop/laptop/monitor size, which can make it difficult for users on a large screen to read as the text is way too long.
Early Design Phase
In this stage of the design, the focus is on addressing big picture design changes, like the layout and blocking out of the content blocks of the page based on hierarchy and ease of use.
After running user tests (completion of assigned tasks) and validating the layout, we began to add basic text and titles to give a better impression for users during the second round of testing.
LOW FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
Scope Update
Based on prior testing, we found the need to reorganise the Module home page as well, to ensure that users found it intuitive to find modules, as well as to connect them mentally between module code and names respectively.
Module Homepage
In the Module Homepage section, users will be greeted with a personalized dashboard where modules are filtered based on trimesters as well as department.
Modules can be renamed to avoid confusing module codes as well as customizing the page layouts to their liking.
Design Validation
Users found that being able to rename module cards to better remember modules helped them to better remember modules. Having a search bar also improved ease of finding the intended module.
Prototype Link: https://nayfla.link/v1primary
Module Individual Page
Modules are categorized into different weeks, the content is further broken down into relevant files pertaining to the weekly content for students to download and view. Module announcements are automated for ease of communication.
At the individual module pages, users will be able to see the automatically updated progress, along with any new announcements.
This creates a streamlined flow for students for students to find files.
Design Validation
Users found that automated announcements help to bridge communication easily.
Prototype Link: https://nayfla.link/v1primary
HIGH FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
Polish
At the later stage of the design, we now add in colors to make the overall interface cohesive. We also applied color theory to reinforce the design and conducted another round of testing with students to validate said choices.
Prototype Link: https://nayfla.link/v2primary
Checking Back
We conducted user testing one last time, getting the users to once more rate the task from 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly disagreeing / very inconvenient, and 5 being strongly agreeing / very convenient.
Listed below are the following average grades for tasks:
1. Understanding Module Code to Module Name — 4
2. Finding Course Material — 4
3. Checking of Grades — 3
4. Submitting Assignments — 5
PROJECT REFLECTION
1) Simplicity and Usability: Simplifying Moodle’s original user interface to enhance usability was a challenging but fruitful task because we had to emphasize the value of intuitive navigation efficiency while reducing clutter to allow students to have a better time using the software.
2) Integration and Compatibility: We wanted to seamlessly integrate functional content from a range of software applications that would boost the efficacy of Moodle. We had to evaluate how well the redesigned app would handle the very different functions and consider if it would overload the users.