CPR – Revolutionizing the Peer Review Process in the SUNY Education System
PROJECT TYPE | ACADEMIC SOFTWARE DESIGN
TIMELINE | January – MAY 2023
ROLE | UX/UI Designer – Engine Lead
TEAM | Fereshteh Shojaei; Fatemeh Shojaei
TOOLS | Figma; Miro; Jira.
OVERVIEW
The CPR Tool is a web-based application specifically designed to streamline and enhance the peer review process for class assignments within SUNY (State University of New York). Comprised of 8 essential groups including Engine, Quality Assurance, Usability Testing, Database Network, Graphical User Interfaces, and Requirement, our team worked collaboratively to develop this innovative solution. With SUNY and IBM as our clients, we aimed to automate and optimize the peer review workflow, providing a more efficient and effective tool for both students and instructors.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Our goal was to pioneer an advanced Calibrated Peer Review (CPR) system, leveraging technologies to revolutionize the peer review experience within SUNY’s educational framework. The Calibrated Peer Review Tool (CPRT) aimed to automate the manual processes involved in task assignment, submission collection, equitable distribution of confidential submissions to peers, and facilitation of peer reviews.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we utilize technologies to streamline the peer review process and address the time-consuming challenges faced by instructors, thereby ensuring timely feedback to students within the SUNY educational environment?
RESEARCH
In the research phase, our team started on a comprehensive exploration of the existing CPR tool, aiming to identify key issues that needed addressing. In addition we conducted interviews to collect data to gain insights into the challenges faced by instructors and students. Additionally, we evaluated similar products in the market to discern their strengths, weaknesses, and potential opportunities for innovation. Through this process, we were able to pinpoint the Minimum Viable Features (MVF) essential for the successful launch of our Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
WIREFRAMING & PROTOTYPING
Following the research phase, we delved into wireframing and prototyping, where we translated our insights into tangible design components. This encompassed the development of wireframes, technical designs, flow diagrams, and user interface designs. An initial dashboard and home screen prototype were crafted, allowing us to solicit feedback from stakeholders for further refinement and improvement.
Sketching
Initial Mid-FI Prototype
USABILITY TESTING
Usability testing played a pivotal role in validating our designs and functionalities. We conducted extensive usability sessions involving more than 25 participants, comprising both instructors and students. These sessions focused on various aspects of the application, including course creation, team management, peer review assignment distribution, and submission processes. Through experimentation and feedback collection, we iteratively enhanced the usability and effectiveness of the CPR tool.
DESIGN
In the design phase, we meticulously crafted various components of the software, ensuring coherence and functionality across wireframes, technical designs, flow diagrams, and user interface elements. Our aim was to create an intuitive and user-friendly experience that catered to the needs of both instructors and students.
- Student
- Instructor
Guidlines
Throughout the project, we gleaned invaluable insights and lessons learned from user feedback and testing outcomes. As a result, we implemented iterative improvements, culminating in version 3.0 of the CPR tool. These enhancements included improved accessibility features, enhanced collaboration capabilities, greater customization options, and optimized performance, demonstrating our commitment to continuous refinement and innovation.
THINGS I LEARNED
- Prioritizing user feedback and conducting extensive usability testing highlighted the importance of designing with the end-user in mind. Iterative improvements based on user insights enabled us to create a more intuitive and effective product.
- Embracing an agile development approach allowed us to adapt and iterate quickly in response to changing requirements and feedback. This flexibility facilitated the continuous improvement of the CPR tool, ensuring its alignment with evolving user needs and expectations.
- Working within a multidisciplinary team underscored the significance of effective collaboration and communication. Clear communication channels and collaborative problem-solving fostered synergy among team members, enabling us to successfully navigate challenges and achieve our project goals.