Understanding Core Users

@ Code.org (MHCID Capstone)

Overview

Code.org, a leading non-profit in computer science education, sought to enhance its self-paced learning module, CSF Express, designed for K-5 students. Our capstone project aimed to bridge the gap between how the module is intended for whole-class instruction and how it is often used in self-paced settings. Through rigorous UX research, we created a set of user personas and corresponding journey maps that would be used to help guide product decisions at Code.org.

Problem Statement

Teachers often use the CSF Express module in a self-paced setting, which was intended for whole-class instruction. This misalignment prompted the question:

"How might we help Code.org understand the current user journey around the CSF Express module to better address the needs of students and teachers?"

Research Activities

We conducted extensive research to build a foundation of insights and recommendations:

  1. Expert Evaluations

    • Literature Review: Explored academic motivation and gamification, identifying key motivators like clear goals, praise, and constructive feedback.

    • Competitive Analysis: Reviewed 14 platforms to identify standout gamification features, including avatars, point systems, and awards.

    • Heuristic Evaluation: Analyzed usability issues in the CSF Express module using Nielsen's 10 heuristics.

  2. Surveys

    • Conducted with 199 teachers and 125 students (2 separate surveys)

    • Utilized visual aids and digital tools to adapt surveys for younger students.

    • Key insight: Teachers and students prioritized gamification features differently.

  3. Interviews

    • Conducted with 12 teachers to understand platform pain points and teaching styles.

    • Key insight: Majority of teachers that implement Code.org do it because they are passionate about showing their students the world of STEM. It’s not part of mandated curriculum, but they choose to spend the extra time to learn the platform for the benefit of their students.

  4. Field Observations

    • Conducted at a local charter school with 6 different classes ranging from grade 1-5, confirming insights from the literature review about intrinsic and extrinsic motivators.

    • Key insight: Younger students tend to be more collaborative and engaged than older students.

For a more in-depth review of research activities and insights, email me at cmvtran@gmail.com.

Key Deliverables

Personas

Developed 7 personas that captured diverse needs based on attributes like age, language proficiency, and coding interest.

User Journey Maps

Illustrated user pain points and opportunities through detailed narratives. Highlighted issues such as lack of celebration for achievements and unclear progress tracking.

Feature Recommendations

The three main features we recommended to the Code.org team:

  • Implement a point system with redeemable rewards

  • Add customizable avatars

  • Enable teacher-initiated awards for student progress