McGraw Hill- K-5 Literacy Platform
Igniting rapid literacy skills development for K-5 students
OVERVIEW
McGraw Hill is a global education company with over 130 years of experience shipping exceptional products across grades K-12. In recent years, they have expanded product lines to include digital learning platforms in response to the growing demand for more accessible educational modalities within today's classrooms.
PROBLEM
Ever since the advent of Covid 19, the need for innovative learning technology has been on the rise. Educators are struggling to meet the complex needs of today's learners; from massive skills gaps to rapidly changing pedagogy, teachers are seeking tailored digital solutions to manage immense classroom challenges.
SOLUTION
Introducing, Emerge! a K-5 new literacy platform built for the modern classroom. Rooted in the Science of Reading, Emerge! enables educators to deliver "just in time instruction" through data driven lessons, cross subject integration, and differentiated instruction on multiple platforms. Emerge! ignites deep inquiry and rapid literacy mastery through engaging digital learning delivery.
MY ROLE
I partnered with Product designers and Academic Designers to deliver key template design for the Grade 4 Content Knowledge Multi-Media flow. I successfully blended inquiry based approaches to learning with dynamic and engaging interaction design. I fostered cross-functional collaboration to create child centered digital experiences that align to technology constraints while also exceeding accessibility compliance.
TOOLS
Figma, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Suite, Ceres Authoring Platform, Lucid, Jira, Confluence, Paper, Pencil
TIMELINE
6 Months
Gaining Product Clarity
USER RESEARCH
I performed an internal literature review to inform my designs for the 4th grade Multi-media flow. I discovered that today's educators and students overwhelmingly prefer inquiry based digital modalities, data driven insights, and child centered learning experiences.
Educators and Students prefer:
Literacy curriculum that is backed by the Science of Reading
Blended print and digital platform modalities
Varied instruction delivery such as whole group, small group, and independent learning practice
Student data insights to deliver "Just in time" instruction
Cross-functional subject integration
How might we craft intuitive digital learning platforms that equip today's educators with the tools for learning success?
How might we inspire K-5 students to rapidly develop critical reading and writing skills?
Synthesizing Learning Experiences
INTEGRATION INQUIRY BASED LEARNING PRINCIPLES
I partnered with Academic Designers to blend key elements of our Instructional Model into my design process for the 4th grade core knowledge Literacy sequence. This enabled me to center the elements of "just in time instruction" and hands on learning engagement into digital template design.
New Literacy Platform Instructional Model
JOURNEY MAP DEVELOPMENT
I constructed a micro student journey map that starts with a 4th grader entering the classroom and then engaging in both whole group and independent instruction. This enabled me to problem solve for user pain points and moments of friction.
Critical issues might be distracted students or time constraints for lesson implementation. Potential solutions could include dynamic transition screens, learning "hooks" to ignite engagement, clear lesson sequencing, and dynamic visual layouts.
4th Grade Student Experience - Journey Map
Designing Frictionless Pathways
USER TASK FLOW / INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
I synthesized user insights from journey mapping into more concrete screen design through information architecture and task flow visualization. This served for organizing important components such as screen transitions, directions, and interactive moments.
Grade 4 Student Flow
Exploring Visual Patterns
WIRE-FRAMES / EDUCATIONAL TEMPLATE DESIGN
I partnered with Academic Designers to explore visual templates for the 4th grade Content Knowledge learning sequence. I balanced design exploration with the constraints of our authoring platform, Ceres, to allow components to be easily built through digital widgets. I also built template design with a focus on classroom accessibility. Students need to access content at multiple view points from large smart board screens to smaller computer interfaces.
Exploring visual patterns through wireframes
RAPID USABILITY TESTING
I recruited educators and students for brief usability testing sessions. Key performance indicators included student engagement rates, content clarity, ease of use, and subjective user satisfaction.
Insights from Usability Testing:
Clarify the next and back navigation buttons to reflect the parameters of the lesson
Incorporate clear imagery in correspondence with the Read Aloud text
Overall approval for gamification elements such as personal leader boards and progress indication
FULL FIDELITY PROTOTYPES
I incorporated user feedback and instructional frameworks into full fidelity template prototypes. Key solutions include:
Dynamic use of typography to enable clarity at multiple vantage points
I created strong hierarchy by emphasizing main content such as focus questions and directions. I incorporated iconography and visual emphasis to enable engagement and visual clarity for both students and educators.
Transition Screens - Focus Question and Directions
Accessible Reading and Writing Screens
I utilized strategic UI card design to frame and emphasize text. This is paired with bolded concept words and related imagery to enhance readabilty and reading comprehension.
Reading and Writing Engagement Screens
Independent Exploration Screen Design
I paired bold headings, clear directions, and colorful interactive elements to ignite student exploration. Students can discover learning content at their own pace through an accessible map and thumbnail card set that reveals a modal window inviting deeper learning through independent practice.
Interactive Learning Screens
Full Learning Sequence
I mapped out key screen explorations for the 4th grade Core Knowledge sequence with a focus on smooth transitions, student centered design, and overall learning engagement.
*The following screens represent my individual design explorations.
4th Grade - Whole Group Learning Sequence
4th Grade - Independent Learning Sequence
More to Come
It has been a gratifying experience to partner with Product and Academic Designers to launch a robust platform that empowers every child to learn how to read and write. I have gained success within my role as a Product Designer by fostering strong working relationships with colleagues and by always being willing to learn and push my skills as a designer.