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2023 Hackathon, 1st Place Winner

Give2Learn

The Challenge SDM

The Challenge: Digital Equity and Accessibility

My Role: UX Research, Usability Testing, UX Writing, Presentation, P.M.

Tools Used: Figma, Google Forms, Trello, Adobe Photoshop

Team: six UX Designers, three Developers

Duration: five-day sprint

Our team was asked to address the issue of digital equity and accessibility. As a team, we researched and ideated until we decided that we wanted to help teachers and students make sure they had the needed technology to succeed academically. With this in mind, our solution was a website for a non-profit named Give2Learn. The website would have two equally important functions, the donation of used digital devices and the ability for teachers to request devices. 

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Research SDM

Research

While determining how we wanted to help fight the problem of digital equity and accessibility, we discovered an alarming supporting fact.

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In a 2018 Center survey, about one-in-five teens ages 13 to 17 (17%) said they are often or sometimes unable to complete homework assignments because they do not have reliable access to a computer or internet connection.

Qualitative Teacher Research

To confirm that we were on the right track, we surveyed real teachers and asked them about their technological needs and if they were satisfied. The data we collected confirmed that our solution could make a difference in their classrooms. 

Qualitative Doner Research

The surveys with donors that we performed were equally encouraging. They revealed that they would be willing to donate and would be even more motivated knowing they would be helping needy students. 

Analysing Existing Tech Donation Websites

We performed a competitive analysis that revealed users were very interested in a few basic features. Primarily, a three-step application process, a clear message that people were being helped, and providing a tax refund form.

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After the teachers filled provided the required profile information, this easy-to-use process was also applied to the teacher device request workflow.

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Informaton Architecture SDM

Personas

Teacher and Donor

Using the data gathered from our surveys, we created two personas which we kept in mind as we continued to develop the website.

Design SDM

Design

Workflow and Prototypes

As a team, we decided how to move forward and divided the responsibilities quickly and evenly. The design team went to work to define a workflow and create an initial prototype. Once this was done, it was easy to explain to the developers what was needed for them to begin coding and provide feedback on what they could accomplish.

Testing also provided some excellent suggestions for navigation improvements and the test users started to tell me what elements and features they thought should be changed for future prototypes.

Usability Testing

Out prototype testers gave us excellent feedback and suggestions we used to improve the writing and design.

Hi-Fidelity Prototype

Final Prototype SDM

The design team presented a simple, clean design and logo that looked at home in both the education and non-profit space. 

Final Testing Results Summary

The final prototype usability testing produced a very favorable end result.

Next Steps SDM

Project Management

Team Effort

I have several years of project management experience and volunteered to act as project manager for this effort. The team agreed that I would be responsible for developing a detailed project plan and leading meetings. This was easy for me because I was fortunate enough to be working with a competent group of like-minded professionals who were as hard-working as they were easygoing. They made this hackathon a pleasure to participate in, and I think it shows in the result. 

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