An examination of tools and techniques integral to the User Experience Design (UXD) Process used in the planning phase of a Next Generation Learning System prototype. Free or low cost tools were used throughout the UXD process, which included creating data-driven personas, low-fidelity (lo-fi) paper prototypes and wireframes.
This presentation examines the tools and techniques that were integral to the User Experience Design (UXD) Process used in the planning phase of a Next Generation Learning System (NGLS) prototype. The resulting UXD project document directly informed the development of the State University of New York, Innovative Instructional Technology Grant Round 5 Programmatic Learning Environment Prototype.
The UXD process included (distant) user observation sessions with online students; in-person collaborative work sessions with faculty, instructional designers and information technology staff; and in-person paper prototype observations of students.
Free and low cost tools were used throughout the UXD process. This presentation covers the specific software used during the process as well as additional low-cost alternatives. Paper prototyping tools and specific techniques and tips for effective user testing are also discussed.
Project planning, developing observation scenarios, creating experience maps, identifying pain points and design goals, developing data-driven personas, low-fidelity (lo-fi ) paper prototypes and creating lo-fi wireframe layouts will be covered. The benefits of lo-fi design for rapid development and the challenges of working with students and design team members located across New York State will be discussed. The iterative nature of the UXD process in evaluating the resulting NGLS prototype will be examined.