Year
2023
Client
StemUnicorn
Category
Web App Design
Product Duration
4 - 5 Weeks
The research phase for the STEMUnicorn Admin Platform began by deeply understanding the challenges educators and administrators face in managing STEM programs. Through interviews and surveys with over 25 instructors, administrators, and IT staff, recurring pain points emerged, such as reliance on fragmented tools, time-consuming manual grading, and inefficient communication channels. Competitor analyses of platforms like Coursera and Khan Academy highlighted industry standards for user-friendly interfaces but revealed gaps in administrative customization and role-specific features. This research phase also involved developing personas like the “Time-Strapped Instructor” (who prioritized quick grading tools) and the “Tech-Averse Administrator” (who needed intuitive dashboards), which clarified user priorities. Key insights emphasized the demand for a centralized platform with automation, real-time collaboration, and role-based access, guiding the project’s foundational goals.
The design process adopted an iterative, user-centered approach to ensure the platform met educators’ evolving needs. It began with collaborative ideation workshops, where stakeholders mapped workflows such as course creation and grading, leading to prioritization of features like automated progress tracking. Low-fidelity wireframes were developed in Figma, emphasizing a clean dashboard layout and role-specific modules tailored to instructors and administrators. Interactive prototypes were then created and tested, with iterations simplifying navigation and adding bulk-action buttons for tasks like grading. A scalable design system was established, featuring modular UI components, consistent typography, and accessibility-focused color contrasts. Three rounds of usability testing with 15 users refined features such as drag-and-drop course scheduling and real-time analytics, ensuring the final design balanced functionality with ease of use.
Educators and administrators in STEM programs struggled with disconnected tools for grading, communication, and analytics, which led to manual processes consuming over 30% of their time. Additionally, existing platforms lacked customization to adapt to diverse learning environments. The STEMUnicorn Admin Platform addressed these challenges by introducing a unified dashboard that centralized course management, student analytics, and communication tools. Automation features like AI-driven grading and bulk feedback templates reduced repetitive tasks, while customizable modules allowed role-based access and adaptive workflows, such as quiz builders tailored to different skill levels. The platform also integrated a collaboration hub with messaging and shared resource libraries, fostering seamless interaction between instructors and administrators.
The STEMUnicorn Admin Platform delivered significant improvements in efficiency and user satisfaction. Beta testing showed a 40% reduction in grading time and a 50% faster course setup process, freeing educators to focus on teaching. User feedback revealed that 94% of testers rated the platform as “intuitive” and “time-saving,” praising features like real-time analytics and drag-and-drop scheduling. The platform’s successful pilot across five educational institutions demonstrated its scalability, with plans for global expansion. Additionally, its design received recognition for accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.1) and modular architecture, which allowed institutions to tailor the platform to their needs. These outcomes underscored STEMUnicorn’s role in transforming STEM education management into a cohesive, user-centric experience.
