Demand for Better College Group Study Coordination
Project Overview
This study explored the feasibility of integrating social learning groups into the Bartleby platform, focusing on understanding how students collaborate in group settings. The goal was to assess the demand for social learning features and identify key functionalities that would enhance group study experiences, such as scheduling and resource sharing tools.
My Role and Responsibilities
As the Senior User Researcher, I led the moderated interviews and performed in-depth qualitative analysis to uncover insights into students' collaborative behaviors. I worked closely with the VP of Product Strategy and the Senior UX Designer, aligning the research with broader strategic goals and ensuring that the findings were directly actionable for product development.
Research Goals and Questions
Primary Objectives
To assess the demand for social learning groups among college students.
To understand how these groups could be integrated into Bartleby’s platform to enhance collaborative learning.
Key Research Questions
How do students currently collaborate on homework and study tasks?
What features would motivate them to use a guided social learning group within Bartleby?
Methodology
Research Methods
Moderated Interviews: Conducted to gather qualitative insights into students’ study habits and group interactions.
Participant Recruitment Strategy
Recruited 15 college students who were active Bartleby subscribers and enrolled in classes, ensuring participants had relevant experience with online learning resources.
Timeline and Constraints
The study was conducted over two weeks to accommodate participants’ academic schedules, ensuring a rich collection of qualitative data.
Research Process
Step-by-Step Approach
1. Conducted 30-minute online moderated interviews via usertesting.com, focusing on students' current study habits and group interaction dynamics.
2. Explored their interest in a guided social learning feature and gathered feedback on potential implementations.
3. Analyzed data using Excel to identify common themes related to group learning and collaboration needs.
Stakeholder Involvement
Regular discussions with the VP of Product Strategy helped align the research focus with strategic product development goals, ensuring insights were promptly integrated into the design process.
Key Findings and Insights
Main Discoveries
1. Group Collaboration: 50% of participants regularly studied with classmates, both in person and online, highlighting the importance of group learning.
2. Feature Interest: All participants (100%) expressed interest in using a social learning group feature on Bartleby, with a strong inclination to invite their peers.
3. Need for Coordination: 60% of students indicated a need for better tools to coordinate study schedules and share materials, emphasizing the value of integrated scheduling and resource-sharing features.
Supporting Data
"I struggle to find times that work for everyone; a scheduling tool would be really helpful."
"I would definitely use this feature, especially if it allowed us to share notes and study guides easily."
Visual Representation
The pie chart titled "Key Findings from Bartleby Social Learning Groups User Research Study" illustrates the key insights from the study with 15 participants, focusing on three main areas:
- Interest in Feature (47.6%): Nearly half of the participants expressed a strong interest in using a social learning group feature, indicating high demand for collaborative tools within the Bartleby platform.
- Need for Coordination (28.6%): A significant portion of participants identified a need for better tools to coordinate study schedules and access group materials, highlighting the critical areas for feature development to support effective group study.
- Group Collaboration (23.8%): About a quarter of participants regularly study with classmates, emphasizing the prevalence of collaborative study habits and the potential value of a dedicated group study feature.
This chart underscores the significant demand for improved group study coordination and collaborative features, guiding the development of tools that enhance the social learning experience on the Bartleby platform.
Recommendations and Impact
Actionable Suggestions
Develop features that facilitate scheduling and the sharing of study materials within social learning groups.
Explore integrating asynchronous collaboration tools to accommodate varying student schedules and study habits.
Impact on Product Decisions
The study provided clear evidence of demand for social learning groups, which directly informed the design of new features aimed at promoting collaborative learning on Bartleby. These findings guided the prioritization of feature development and highlighted the importance of enhancing user engagement through group dynamics.
Measurable Outcomes
Increased engagement and usage of Bartleby’s platform by introducing group study tools.
Higher retention rates among users who participate in social learning groups compared to those who use the platform individually.
Reflections and Learnings
Challenges Faced
Scheduling interviews was challenging due to participants' varied availability, highlighting the need for flexible research scheduling options.
The small sample size limited the diversity of feedback, particularly from students who do not typically engage in group study.
What I’d Do Differently
Expand the participant pool to include students from a broader range of academic backgrounds and study habits to gain more comprehensive insights.
Consider utilizing asynchronous feedback methods, such as diary studies, to capture ongoing group interactions over time.
Skills Developed
Improved skills in conducting in-depth qualitative interviews and analyzing complex social interactions, particularly in the context of educational tools and collaborative learning environments.
Next Steps
Follow-up Research
Conduct a pilot study to test the social learning group feature with a broader audience, gathering feedback on usability and engagement.
Explore the integration of customization options, such as themed study groups, to increase appeal and personalization.
Long-Term Implications
Continued development and refinement of social learning features will be essential to fostering collaborative learning environments on Bartleby. Regular updates and user feedback loops will help keep the platform relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of students.
This study underscored the significant demand for collaborative learning tools and highlighted the opportunity for Bartleby to enhance its platform by facilitating group study, ultimately driving higher engagement and user satisfaction.