Hakan Karaaytu
Introduction
Role: UX Researcher/Designer
This project aims to design a user-friendly mobile application to streamline the process of accessing professors' office hours for university students. The app will address common challenges such as the lack of centralized information, difficulty navigating office locations, and inefficiencies in scheduling. By integrating features like a centralized schedule, appointment booking, and real-time notifications, the application seeks to enhance student-professor interactions, reduce stress, and improve academic support systems.
Objective
Develop a mobile application to help Alfred University students easily access information about their professors' office hours, office locations, and book appointments. The aim is to increase the utilization of office hours, improve student-professor interactions, and provide a centralized platform for easy access.
Methods
User Interviews
To gather in-depth insights from students and professors about their current experiences, pain points, and preferences related to office hours.
Surveys
To collect broader quantitative data about student awareness and usage of office hours across Alfred University.
Field Study
To observe real-world interactions and behaviors, gaining contextual insights about students trying to access professors' office hours.
Usability Testing
To collect broader quantitative data about student awareness and usage of office hours across Alfred University.
Competitive Analysis
To evaluate similar apps in the market (e.g., scheduling or academic management apps) and identify key features that could be incorporated or improved.
User Research
User Interview, Surveys and Field Study
Ideation
Wireframing
Define Problem
Identification, Persona Profile and User Journey
User Testing
Usability Testing and Competitive Analysis
User Interview
To understand students' current experiences and pain points when trying to attend professors' office hours and identify solutions to increase awareness and accessibility.
Students
Professors
Interview Questions
Students
Awareness of Office Hours
Barriers to Attendance
Current Behavior and Preferences
Communication and Organization
Feedback on Potential App Features
Professors
Experience with Office Hours
Challenges with Scheduling
Communication of Office Hours
Potential App Usage
Feedback on App Features
User Interview-Students
Awareness of Office Hours
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How do students currently learn about their professors' office hours?
Barriers to Attendance
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What prevents them from attending office hours regularly?
Current Behavior and Preferences
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When do they usually decide to attend office hours? (e.g., before exams, during crises)
Communication and Organization
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Do they feel that professors clearly communicate their office hours and locations?
User Interview-Professors
Experience with Office Hours
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How often do students visit during office hours?
Challenges with Scheduling
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What issues do they encounter in managing their office hours?
Communication of Office Hours
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How do they inform students about their office hours and office location?
Potential App Usage
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Would they be open to using an app for scheduling and managing office hours?
Field Study
Field Study Output
Our Persona Says
Most students don’t attend office hours unless there’s a crisis, like an upcoming exam or an overdue assignment. I wish they’d use it more proactively
Jeff Zupan, Associate Professor, Communication Studies
Name: Taylor West
Age: 19
Education: Freshman at Alfred University, majoring in Ceramics
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Behavioral Consideration: Taylor is tech-savvy and relies on digital tools for her daily activities, such as scheduling, food delivery, and academic organization. She prefers efficient and intuitive digital solutions to streamline her tasks. As a routine-based individual, she carefully plans her time to balance her classes, labs, and part-time job. This structured approach to her day means she values tools that help her stick to her schedule.
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Frustrations: Taylor often gets frustrated by long wait times during professors’ office hours, especially during busy periods like exam weeks. Additionally, she has faced issues with order confusion—waiting for her turn, only to discover that the professor is already occupied or unavailable. This inefficiency often discourages her from utilizing office hours unless absolutely necessary.
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Goals and Needs
Taylor needs quick and reliable access to professors’ office hour schedules. She would benefit from a user-friendly app where she can view office hours, schedule appointments, and receive reminders. Clear communication about her scheduled meeting time is essential to avoid overlaps with other students. Lastly, having a navigation feature to locate professors’ offices efficiently would greatly improve her experience.
Name: Peter Mocniak
Age: 38
Role: Assistant Professor of Ceramics, Alfred University
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Behavioral Considerations: Peter is a hands-on educator who values in-depth one-on-one interactions with his students. He prefers structured and well-organized office hours to focus on mentoring and providing feedback, especially for project-based work. However, his busy schedule, split between teaching, studio work, and research, limits his flexibility.
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Tech-Savvy: Peter is moderately tech-savvy. He uses email and the university’s Learning Management System (LMS) for basic communication but has limited experience with advanced scheduling tools. He’s open to adopting user-friendly technology that helps manage his time effectively.
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Routine-Based: Peter dedicates two afternoons a week to office hours, held in his ceramics studio. He prioritizes keeping his schedule consistent but often adjusts for deadlines or student exhibitions.
Frustrations: Long Wait Times: Some students arrive unannounced, leading to crowded office hours and rushed discussions.
Order Confusion: Students occasionally misunderstand his schedule or show up at the wrong time or location, disrupting his workflow.
Goals and Needs
Efficient Scheduling: Peter needs a tool that allows students to book specific time slots, ensuring all meetings are evenly spaced.
Clear Communication: He wants students to have a clear understanding of his availability and the purpose of their visits before arriving.
Better Time Management: A system that minimizes interruptions and helps him prepare for student discussions would improve his productivity.
Problem Identification & Hypothesis
College students often fail to take advantage of professors' office hours due to a lack of centralized, clear, and accessible information about schedules and office locations. This results in missed opportunities for academic guidance, increased stress during crises, and underutilized office hours by both students and professors.
Hypotheses
Information Accessibility Hypothesis
If students have access to a centralized app with professor schedules and office locations, then their awareness and usage of office hours will increase.
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Appointment Booking Hypothesis
If students can book office hour slots in advance through the app, then wait times and overcrowding during office hours will decrease, leading to a better experience for both students and professors.
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Navigation Support Hypothesis
If the app provides directions to professors' offices, then students will spend less time navigating confusing campus layouts, making it easier for them to attend office hours.
Ideate
Centralized Schedule: A single platform displaying all professors' office hours and locations.
Appointment Booking: Students can book time slots during office hours to reduce wait times.
Office Location Finder: An interactive map to guide students to professors’ offices.
Integrated Virtual Office Hours
Video or chat options for students unable to attend in person.
Feedback System: Students and professors can rate or review the office hours experience for continuous improvement.
Language Support: Multilingual capabilities for international students.
Ideate-Market
Close-Up and Big-Picture
Story Board
