A platform for online learning Working with end-users to shape the platform.

The situation
College administrators have been pressuring faculty to use technology more proactively. And, student interest increases when the course materials include interactive online content. So, our client decided to invest in a platform for administering courses and delivering course materials online.

Our client knew that the concept was sound, but that the platform would succeed only if it were easy to use and navigate. Because O'Donnell & Associates has been involved with dozens of educational technology platforms, our team had both the process and the expertise to help shape this product.

The process
O'Donnell & Associates worked with the client team to develop a “proof of concept” – a slide show including some key screens and a demonstration of the proposed platform’s functionality. First, we targeted schools and faculty that would be receptive to the product. We conducted live and online focus groups to gather feedback. Then, we facilitated a strategy workshop with the client team to refine the concept and create a strategy for developing, testing and launching the product. The next step was to create a partially functioning prototype of the proposed product. We used one-on-one interviews to test useability and refine the navigation.

The results
Our client learned that some of its assumptions were off base. The product just wasn’t intuitive. This was painful, especially for the technical team that had invested months developing detailed technical specs.
The good news: market development participants began to take ownership of the product. They could see its potential for making their lives easier, and they felt a part of the development process. We continued to communicate with these customers as the product was developed, and many participants became class testers. So, we helped our client refine the platform AND build relationships with key early adopters.