Pace Study
An application provides real-time campus learning spaces to ensuring you to find the perfect spot to enhance your productivity.
Pace Study, a mobile app designed to revolutionize the on-campus experience for Pace University students. This innovative tool provides real-time insights into personnel density, noise level and wifi strength at various study locations, ensuring students can easily find the perfect spot to enhance productivity and satisfaction.
This project, conducted during my first semester in my master's program, delves into the realm of human-centered interaction between individuals and technology. Leveraging a combination of user interviews, observations, and personal experiences, we identified the pain points within the learning environment—specifically, the absence of real-time data. Simultaneously, we pinpointed the core needs of Pace students: convenience, accessibility, and a conducive learning environment.
Moving forward, our team is considering the prospect of presenting our ideas to Pace University, aiming to optimize the daily experiences of students on campus.
Reflecting on my undergraduate years at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where the sprawling campus boasts seven libraries, I often wished for a tool like Pace Study. I aspired to create a tool that offers real-time data on study space availability, enhancing overall satisfaction with the study experience. The goal is to provide assistance, particularly during the formative years of one's 10s and early 20s, navigating through the challenges of academic life.
A Proactive Learner
While UI design was somewhat unfamiliar territory for me, I took a proactive approach in contributing ideas, drawing on my perspectives as a psychology major and an individual who studied undergraduate in North America. Throughout the project, I actively sought information about design tools and usage, and I was fortunate to have a team member who generously shared insights on creating an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interface.
Having Fun
Building friendship with my team members turned out to be a delightful aspect of the project. I remained present, open-minded, and proactive throughout, and this approach allowed me to forge friendships. Bringing a sense of "fun" into my learning journey not only made the experience enjoyable but also fostered greater creativity.
What are we trying to solve?
Our goal is to address the unique needs of two key user groups at Pace University: commuting students and those attending Zoom classes on campus.
We aim to enhance their campus experience by developing an app that provides real-time information on personnel density, study space availability, parking, and other essential factors.
The app seeks to streamline the daily routines of students, optimizing their time on campus and contributing to a more productive learning environment.
Problem Statement
How might we optimize the daily experiences of commuting students and students attending Zoom classes on campus by developing an app that offers real-time information on study space availability, personnel density, parking, and other relevant factors, fostering a more efficient and user-friendly campus environment?
Research Methods
User Interviews
We gathered insights through user interviews to understand the daily routines, challenges, and specific needs of commuting and on-campus Zoom students.
Observation
By observing campus movements, study space preferences, and existing resource usage, we identified patterns and potential pain points.
Personal Experience
Reflecting on personal experiences and daily routines provided additional qualitative data to complement our research findings.
Target Audience
What are their needs?
Commuting Pace University Students
These students are likely to have specific needs related to on-campus presence and commuting. Our app can cater to them by offering features such as:
Students Attending Zoom Classes on Campus
Students who want to attend Zoom classes on campus may need to find suitable locations with good Wi-Fi connectivity and minimal distractions. We could tailor the app to meet their needs with features such as:
User Insights
While the needs of commuting Pace University students and students attending Zoom classes on campus may appear distinct on the surface, there are some similarities in their requirements. Both groups of students share common needs related to:
While the specific features and details of how these needs are addressed may differ between the two groups, understanding these commonalities can guide the development of our app that serves the broader student community at Pace University by providing a comprehensive solution that caters to these shared needs.
Jobs To Be Done Framework
For Commuting Pace University Student
Job Statement
Find a suitable place to study or work on campus before and after classes.
Motivation
Create a productive and focused environment for studying, completing assignments, or preparing for classes, minimizing commute-related downtime.
Desired Outcome
Secure a quiet and well-equipped study space with ample time for academic tasks, optimizing their time on campus.
Constraints / Challenges
Limited knowledge of available study spaces, competition for seats, and time constraints due to class schedules.
Current Solutions
Scouting campus locations, relying on personal experiences, or asking peers for recommendations.
Unmet Needs
Easily accessible information on available study spaces, real-time seat availability data, notifications for open spots, and a user-friendly app for location selection.
Features / Solutions
Study space availability tracker, seat occupancy updates, notifications for available seats, reservation system for study spaces, and user-friendly campus app with location maps and ratings.
For Students Attending Zoom Classes on Campus
Job Statement
Find a suitable location for attending Zoom classes on campus.
Motivation
Create a focused, distraction-free environment for effective online learning.
Desired Outcome
Secure a quiet study space with strong Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless Zoom class participation.
Constraints / Challenges
Limited knowledge of available study spaces, uncertainty about Wi-Fi quality, noise levels in public areas.
Current Solutions
Scouting campus locations, relying on
personal experiences, or asking peers for recommendations.
Unmet Needs
Easily accessible information on available study spaces, real-time Wi-Fi signal strength data, noise level indicators, and a convenient app for location selection.
Features / Solutions
Study space availability tracker, Wi-Fi signal strength information, noise level ratings, reservation system for study spaces, and integration with Zoom for easy class access.
User Flow
Exploring Solution
Low-Fi Paper Prototype
Homepage
According to our research, we identified Pace students' three core tasks using this app
Checking in to spaces
Finding suitable learning environment
Reserving spaces
In addition, a drop down option for available spots will be shown here. Users will get a sense of what this product is offering on the first page/ home page.
When we click onto the check-in, it’ll first direct us to this page
Users will be able to confirm whether they allow the platform to know their location.
For the next step, it’ll direct the users to the page where a summary of their chosen location will be shown.
The summary includes the crowdedness, wifi strength and noise level, so users will be able to evaluate whether this is suitable for their needs and check-in to the location.
Once they have arrived at the location, they can click on ‘Check-in’.
Next, when they have clicked on the check-in button, there will be 4 main indicators showing on the interface
Crowd meter
Wifi strength
Noise level
Review
Users can click on these for indicators and input the data per their opinion once they have arrived and evaluated these parameters for themselves
For example, if a user chooses the ‘Crowd-meter’ button, he/she will be able to enter their perception of the crowdedness of the location
It will be a bar with percentage, users will be able to move it accordingly.
This will be entirely rely on the user’s perception of the situation.
When you want to reserve a study room, you can click on the ‘Reserve’ button on the Home-page.
The app will direct you to a page where you will have drop- down options to choose your preferred building, floor number, and specific date and time.
You may choose to receive an email notification afterwards, and finally, you confirm your reservation.
An example of the options available when reserving a study-room once they are selected.
The options will adjust based on the building, its structure, and availability.
With the ‘Search Bar’, you can manually type in your desired building and access it directly.
You can also select ‘View more’ if you wish to select an option that is not suggested by the prompt.
Once you select your desired building, you will access all its details
Address
Timing
Available spaces you can reserve
Wireframing
Preliminary Usability Testing Tasks
Task #1: Checking Personnel Density at the Library
Scenario: Imagine you have a class at Library 4th Floor Room A soon. Please use the web app to check the current personnel density tell us how you would interpret the information.
Task #2: Finding a Quiet Study Space
Scenario: Imagine you have a Zoom class and need a quiet place. Use the web app to find information on the availability of quiet study spaces on campus.
Task #3: Reserving a Place on Campus for Group Work
Scenario: Imagine you’re meeting with your team to discuss group work. Please use the web app to secure an individual space on campus to ensure a productive environment for the group.
User Insights
We tested our idea and designs with a set of eight students and had the following inferences
User Interest in Data
User testing with our group of students revealed that potential users were genuinely interested in having access to data about personnel density, noise levels, and Wi-Fi strength across the campus. This suggests that there is a demand for such information to aid decision-making while navigating the campus.
User-Friendly Design
Test participants provided feedback on the paper prototype's user interface. We learned that a clear and intuitive design is essential.
Users preferred straightforward and easily navigable interfaces to quickly access the information they needed. We felt that there was room for us to make improvements to try to make the perceived data on the screen easier to comprehend.
Data Presentation
Our test participants had preferences for how data was presented. For instance, some participants favored visual representations like charts to easily grasp information, while others preferred concise text summaries.
Learning these preferences was essential for creating a balanced and user-friendly presentation.
Real-Time Updates
User feedback emphasized the importance of real-time or near-real-time data updates.
Users wanted to ensure that the information they accessed was current, especially for dynamic aspects like personnel density and noise levels.
Location-Based + Personalized Functionality
Our testing revealed the significance of a location-based feature.
Users valued the ability to filter information based on their specific location on campus and for being able to promptly present them with options based on their weekly habits. This personalized approach to data access was seen as highly beneficial.
Design Style Guide
