Case Study
Usability Testing of a Study App for Students
overview
A school notetaking category leader was in the process of developing a new planner and notetaking mobile app and needed feedback from students to test overall usability to ensure the product is optimized before launch and adds additional value for its users.
C+R first conducted live moderated interviews to capture a benchmark understanding of initial usage and moments of truth before conducting a 2-week asynchronous discussion board to capture organic usage. Research concluded with a final round of live moderated interviews to uncover post-usage feedback on the usability of the app.
THE PROBLEM
CREATE A DIFFERENTIATING NOTETAKING EXPERIENCE
A school notetaking brand wanted to optimize their planner and notetaking app before launching to market to ensure they were providing students with a product that could add value and innovate on the way they study and stay organized for school.
The client team asked C+R to help gather feedback from students on both the physical notebooks/planners and app to evaluate and optimize the overall usability of this new study and organization system.
OUR APPROACH
MODERATED qualitative RESEARCH
C+R conducted a three-phase qualitative project to elicit feedback on our client’s products.
First, we conducted live in-person and remote moderated interviews with students. Using loosely guided tasks, verbal commentary, and simultaneous recording of participant narration and screen interaction, students were introduced to the physical notebook and app, which allowed us to observe initial receptivity to the study system but also the initial usability and learnability of the app. Conducting interviews live also allowed us to ask immediate post-use follow-up questions, gaining greater depth in each interview.
Next, the same students completed an asynchronous journaling activity where they were asked to integrate the new study system into their daily routine and record their experience. Students completed a series of activities in the online journal which helped us understand how feasible, relevant and useful it was for students to adopt the client’s study system into their school/learning routine and uncover any in-the-moment frustrations and pain points.
Finally, we conducted live in-person and remote moderated interviews with the same students to debrief on their overall experience. Students spoke to not only the usability of the app but also to the general utility of whether this technology would add efficiencies to their study routine.
The result
CLEAR INSIGHTS TO OPTIMIZE FUTURE DIGITAL EXPERIENCES
Our report provided a comprehensive overview of students’ perceptions regarding the app’s utility, carefully outlining the significant areas where users experienced friction. It identified key opportunities for enhancement across various stages of the user journey with the client’s product. Notably, the report underscored the importance of refining marketing communications to boost awareness and adoption rates. Additionally, it pointed out specific areas within the app that could be optimized to ensure a more seamless experience during initial interactions. While the app demonstrates strong potential, our consultation emphasized that addressing these areas for improvement will be essential to positioning the product as desirable, useful, and distinctive in the market.
proven experience
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