Improving instructor roster and gradebook management by integrating iClicker with learning management systems
Most instructors use a learning management system (LMS) as their main source of classroom management (for grades, class roster, etc).
iClicker’s existing LMS gradebook integration had a confusing setup process and lacked roster integration functionality.
During user testing, instructors completed the new setup with ease. They were also excited about new roster functionality and troubleshooting support.
Why was this a problem?
How might we...
After joining the project, I met with the team to learn about previous tech constraints to the setup flow, and how advancements to iClicker’s third-party integration technology created opportunities for UX improvements.
Couldn’t detect which LMS or integration type users were configured for.
✅
Can detect which LMS and integration type users are configured for.
Opportunity
Personalize instructions to add clarity
Couldn't complete the setup in iClicker. Users had to go back and forth between iClicker and their LMS.
✅
Can complete setup directly in iClicker without going to LMS.
Opportunity
Create a seamless experience and reduce number of steps
At this stage, I focused on identifying what information users would need once the sync was complete. This led us to explore designs for a summarized report, so that users could review any action items and next steps.
Throughout design exploration, we kept running into edge cases. To address this challenge, the Product Manager, Lead Developer, and I collaborated to create documentation around every plausible edge case we could think of. This helped us organize the edge cases into 3 main scenarios that we accounted for in the final design.
Usability tests with instructor users (Tests conducted by our user researcher)
In the first version of designs, all action items in the sync report were treated as an error which felt falsely alarming to instructors.
We updated the visual treatment of the action items to feel more neutral, reserving the error treatment for technical errors. We also updated the copy in the student email to make it feel more like an invite to the course.
As an instructor, I need to know how to set up the integration so that I can use the roster and grade sync functionality.
As an instructor I need to indicate which LMS course to connect to, so that iClicker knows which roster and gradebook to sync with.
As an instructor, I need students to join my iClicker course so that they are able to participate in iClicker activities during class.
As an instructor, I need to know if there are students in my iClicker course who do not match my LMS roster so that I can take action to resolve any discrepancies.
