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