Simplifying Navigation for Young Learners
Project Overview
This study evaluated how effectively children aged 5 to 7 navigate to and stay on the ABCmouse Learning Path. The primary objective was to ensure that the Learning Path is easy for young users to find and engaging enough to keep them on track, while identifying any distractions or barriers that may hinder their learning experience.
My Role and Responsibilities
As the Senior User Research Manager, I led the design and execution of the usability tests and performed in-depth data analysis. I collaborated closely with the Director of Product, Senior UX Designer, and UI Designer to refine the user experience based on the study's findings. My role involved conducting the tests, analyzing results, and presenting actionable insights to the product and design teams.
Research Goals and Questions
Primary Objectives
To determine whether children can easily locate and remain on the Learning Path.
To identify any distractions or barriers that may prevent children from progressing through the activities.
Key Research Questions
Can children aged 5 to 7 easily find the Learning Path on the Student Homepage?
Do they understand how to stay on the Learning Path and continue engaging with the content?
Methodology
Research Methods
In-Person Usability Testing: Conducted with a sample of children interacting with the ABCmouse app on an iPad to observe their navigation behaviors and preferences.
Participant Recruitment Strategy
Recruited 8 children aged 6 to 7 who regularly use educational apps, ensuring they are familiar with navigating digital content.
Timeline and Constraints
The study was conducted over one week, allowing for detailed observation and rapid iteration based on findings.
Research Process
Step-by-Step Approach
1. Observation: Observed children interacting with the ABCmouse app during a 20-minute moderated session to assess how they navigate to the Learning Path.
2. Guided Exploration: Asked targeted questions to understand their navigation choices, preferences, and any difficulties encountered.
3. Data Analysis: Analyzed the observational data to identify common patterns, barriers, and areas for improvement in the Learning Path’s accessibility.
Tools and Techniques
Used direct observation, guided exploration, and qualitative analysis to gather and interpret the data. Insights were shared with the Product and Design teams to guide iterative improvements.
Key Findings and Insights
Main Discoveries
1. Initial Attraction: Only 45% of children tapped on the Learning Path first; most were drawn to more visually appealing elements like animal icons, indicating a need to make the Learning Path more prominent.
2. Navigational Success: With some guidance, 80% of the children were able to find and stay on the Learning Path, demonstrating potential for improved design to support independent navigation.
3. Engagement Drivers: All participants remained engaged with the Learning Path when content included interactive elements such as characters, music, and themes aligned with their interests.
Supporting Data
"I tapped the puppy because I like dogs!"
"The path is fun when there's music and cool characters."
Visual Representation
The horizontal bar chart above titled, "Key Findings from ABCmouse Learning Path Usability Study" visualizes the engagement and navigation success of 8 children using the ABCmouse Learning Path. The chart highlights three key insights:
- Stayed Engaged on Learning Path (100%): All participants remained engaged on the Learning Path when it featured interactive elements like characters, music, and themes aligned with their interests, demonstrating the effectiveness of engaging content.
- Found Learning Path with Guidance (80%): A majority of the children were able to locate the Learning Path with some guidance, suggesting the potential for design improvements to support independent navigation and make the path more intuitive.
- Tapped Learning Path First (45%): Less than half of the children initially selected the Learning Path, indicating that it lacks prominence compared to other visually appealing elements on the Student Homepage, highlighting a need to improve the visibility of this feature.
This chart underscores the importance of simplifying navigation and enhancing the visibility and appeal of the Learning Path to keep young learners engaged and independently navigating the platform.
Recommendations and Impact
Actionable Suggestions
Simplify the Student Homepage by reducing visual distractions and enhancing the prominence of the Learning Path to make it the most appealing option.
Introduce customizable themes that reflect children’s interests, such as animals or favorite characters, to boost engagement.
Impact on Product Decisions
The study’s findings prompted a redesign of the Student Homepage, focusing on improved navigation to the Learning Path and enhancing engagement through more appealing visual elements and interactive features. These changes are expected to increase the frequency of use and sustain user engagement.
Measurable Outcomes
Increased percentage of children navigating to the Learning Path on their first attempt.
Higher engagement rates with the Learning Path due to the introduction of customizable themes.
Reflections and Learnings
Challenges Faced
Keeping young participants focused during testing required an adaptable approach and engaging stimuli to maintain their attention throughout the sessions.
What I’d Do Differently
Expand the participant age range to include younger children and pre-teens to gather insights on how different age groups navigate and interact with the Learning Path.
Skills Developed
Enhanced my ability to conduct usability testing with young children, especially in adapting research questions to suit their developmental needs and attention spans.
Follow-up Research
Conduct further usability testing with the redesigned interface to validate the effectiveness of the improvements and explore additional customization options that could further increase engagement.
Long-Term Implications
Continuous refinement of navigation elements and personalized content will be key to maintaining high engagement and user satisfaction among young learners. Ongoing feedback loops with end users will help ensure that the Learning Path remains a core, engaging feature of the ABCmouse platform.