SchoolNet
SchoolNet Enterprise Application Suite
Problem
SchoolNet is the leading provider of reporting, assessment, school and classroom managment software. While the web application software is feature-rich, it has suffered from poor usability and design, critical attributes in a market that has a broad spectrum of user types.
My Role
I came in when the product was still adding features and functional domains quickly. I directed the team and led usability studies to identify areas for improvement and quick gains. I also created the interaction design for a large section and directed the interaction design and visual design for the rest of the overhaul.
The site suffered from poor interaction and visual design, forcing users to drill down through many links.
Explorations
My team and I created HTML prototypes and conducted in-lab usability studies to refine the designs.
A screen from one of the HTML prototypes.
Solution
the redesigned application surfaced much-needed information to users (principals and teachers) in the form of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to aid in the discovery of problem areas and to manage their schools and classrooms.
The home page for principals showing KPIs.
The home page for teachers showing their class roster.
SchoolNet Social Networking Site
Problem
SchoolNet recognized that many in the education community could benefit from high-quality trusted content, and that SchoolNet could further tie its member districts to a national conversation on relevant topics. The concept was to aggregate content from across the Web, and use bloggers to put an editorial spin on that content. SchoolNet also sought to diversify its revenue sources to include online advertising.
My Role
I was the UE lead, and did the interaction design, wrote the spec, and directed the visual design. I worked closely with the VP in charge, the product manager, and our visual designer.
Explorations
Initially, the team worked to get a quick-and-clean “v.1″, or beta : basically some blogs implemented using Drupal, an open-source content management system. While the site was put up in about a week, there were some scalability concerns.
The first version of the site was well recieved at education conferences.
Solution
Based upon learnings from the beta, we expanded the scope of functionality to include a wider variety of social software (“ask”-type discussions, wikis, and polls) to increase end-user participation. We also refined the interaction and visual design to take advantage of a new platform.
Wireframes and screen designs from the project.
