Role: UX Research | Business Strategy
AdaptED: School Transfers Made Easy-Peasy
AdaptEd transforms Indian high schools, starting with military schools. Our 4-week program uses workshops and an online platform to boost collaboration, well-being, and inclusivity for teachers, students, and parents, driving educational reform.
Team sizes: Individual Final Project
Duration: 10 weeks
Project Brief: AdaptEd
Challenge
India's centralized education system fails to address the needs of transfer students. Regional variations in curriculum go unaddressed, and there's no support system in place to help students adjust to new academic environments.
Solution
We designed a program to ease student integration through personalized introductions, subject-specific support, and workshops. Targeting military schools with high transfer rates, the initiative:
Impact
Concept testing highlighted a need for adjustments, but the comprehensive approach holds promise for bridging gaps in Indian secondary education. This fosters collaboration, empathy, and inclusivity within the system.
Key Features
Promotes Collaboration
Student-Centered Approach
Addresses Academic & Emotional Needs
Fosters teamwork among teachers, students, counselors, and parents.
Goes beyond onboarding with an online platform for ongoing support.
Facilitates a smooth transition by offering a holistic well-being program for transfer students.
Tools
Miro, Adobe XD, Illustrator and Photoshop, Microsoft 365, Canva
*This webpage provides key highlights of the project, learn more about the project in process book*
Why Transfer Students?
In my earliest memories, my parents' diligent packing for cross-country moves marked a recurring theme due to my father's service in the Indian Air Force. Swift transitions every 1-2 years led me to call 3 different countries home, live in over 10 cities, attend more than 8 schools, and study under 3 distinct educational boards. These moves posed academic challenges, including mid-session transfers, varying boards, and differing teaching methods, impacting my academic and social development.
The lack of empathy for transfer students underscores the inadequacy of India's centralized education system for those experiencing frequent school transitions. Inconsistent curricula and differing evaluation methods across states create a fragmented landscape with language barriers and limited practical skills focus. Comprehensive reform is needed for a more consistent, flexible, and student-centered secondary education system.
Research Question
Stakeholder Map
Design Management's beauty lies in its holistic approach, focusing on the entire ecosystem to better support primary stakeholders. In the case of AdaptEd, stakeholders are categorized into two main groups: users (teachers) and beneficiaries (students frequently transferring schools) Additionally, parents, eager to support their children, can also be considered users.
I created a stakeholder relationship map, combining elements of the ERAF Map and Territory Map. This approach is crucial for developing a stakeholder-centered design for the product or service.
Data Collection
I conducted interviews, surveys, and cultural probes with 200+ participants, including students who frequently transfer schools. In doing so, I gathered over 1,000 data points and insights. Furthermore, recognizing the importance of understanding the teachers' perspective on the subject matter, I also included their insights.
Findings and Insights
(Scroll right/left for more details)
Experience Map
The analysis of the subject matter and the organization of insights, along with the sorting and translation process, culminated in a comprehensive experience designed for transfer students, which I subsequently mapped out.
Customer Profiles
Concept
AdaptED is dedicated to prioritizing students by fostering collaboration among students, teachers, counselors, and parents. The core objective is to ensure a smooth integration process, minimizing emotional stress for all students. The program introduces facilitation activities, making it inclusive for both transfer and existing students. Workshops promoting collaboration, integration, and empathy involve both teachers and students.
Brand Identity
Value Pillars
Ideation
To deliver a well-rounded experience, AdaptED will utilize both physical and digital components.
Implementation Plan
Self Retrospective
Professor Miller's discussion in one of my classes sparked a turning point for me. I was presenting my concept, a robust and collaborative product for transfer students, a unique and niche audience. While I was passionate about the idea, I struggled to articulate the "why" behind it. Dr. Miller's insightful observation cut through the noise: "Shravya, you aspire to provide valuable experiences." This simple statement resonated deeply. It connected my passion for UX research with the core purpose of creating meaningful experiences for users.
My initial understanding focused on isolated user experiences. Through this project, my perspective has shifted. Now, I'm driven to generate value and enhance experiences across the entire organizational ecosystem, fostering positive change throughout all stakeholder interactions. This experience has solidified my desire to be a catalyst for change. My UX research skills can contribute to a more holistic approach, ensuring valuable experiences for everyone involved.