User Experience (UX)

Initial consultation and needs assessment

Our process begins with a conversation to understand the specific needs, goals, and challenges of the organisation. This initial consultation is crucial for gaining a clear understanding of the client’s objectives and the current state of their learning platform. We discuss the organisation’s vision, target audience, and any known pain points or areas for improvement. This step sets the foundation for a customised approach that aligns with the client’s unique requirements.

Comprehensive UX analysis and review

Based on the insights gathered during the initial consultation, we determine if a comprehensive UX analysis and review will add value to the project. If so, we proceed with an in-depth analysis of the existing user experience to gain a thorough understanding of how learners interact with the learning platform.

Our comprehensive UX analysis involves extensive user research and feedback collection. We gather qualitative and quantitative data from users through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. This data provides crucial insights into user behaviours, preferences, and pain points, which form the foundation of our analysis.

Using this collected data, we develop detailed learner personas that represent different types of users. These personas help us understand the diverse needs and motivations of learners specific to the client’s environment. By identifying common pain points and areas where the user experience can be enhanced, we can pinpoint the exact issues that need to be addressed for each client.

In practical terms, this means conducting focus groups or interviews with learners to gather comprehensive feedback. We also analyse survey data and user feedback relevant to the client’s context. This is followed by developing detailed learner personas unique to the client’s users and mapping user journeys to visualise interactions specific to the client’s platform. Conducting usability tests is another key activity to identify areas for improvement based on the client’s needs.

User experience (UX) design and enhancement

Once we have a clear understanding of the current user experience and identified areas for improvement, we move on to the design and enhancement phase. This phase involves creating and implementing solutions that enhance the user experience based on the insights gathered.

Our UX design and enhancement services include:

1. Designing user-friendly interfaces: We create intuitive and visually appealing interfaces that make it easy for learners to navigate the learning platform. This includes improving layout, typography, colour schemes, and overall design aesthetics.

2. Improving navigation and usability: We focus on enhancing the platform’s navigation to ensure that users can easily find the information and resources they need. This involves streamlining menus, simplifying navigation paths, and ensuring that the platform is user-friendly and accessible.

3. Developing interactive and engaging content: We design and develop interactive content that keeps learners engaged and motivated. This includes incorporating multimedia elements, interactive quizzes, and gamification features to create a dynamic and enjoyable learning experience.

4. Conducting usability testing: We conduct usability tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the design enhancements and ensure that they meet the needs of the users. This involves testing with real users to gather feedback and make any necessary adjustments.

User acceptance testing (UAT) 

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a crucial phase in the development and implementation of elearning platforms. It involves validating that the platform meets the intended requirements and functions as expected in a real-world environment. UAT ensures that the platform is ready for deployment and that learners will have a positive and effective experience.

We can support the following UAT activities:

1. Validating functionality: Ensuring that all features and functionalities of the platform work as intended. This includes testing course delivery, assessment tools, communication features, and any interactive elements.

2. Testing real-world scenarios: Simulating real-world scenarios to identify potential issues that learners may encounter. This includes testing different user roles (e.g., students, instructors) and various devices (e.g., desktops, tablets, smartphones).

3. Gathering feedback from end-users: Engaging actual learners to test the platform and provide feedback on their experience. This feedback is invaluable for identifying any usability issues, performance problems, or areas for improvement.

4. Ensuring compliance and standards: Verifying that the platform complies with relevant standards and regulations, including accessibility guidelines, data privacy requirements, and industry best practices.

5. Identifying and resolving issues: Documenting any issues discovered during testing and working with the development team to resolve them before the platform goes live.

Ongoing support and optimisation

Our commitment to enhancing user experience doesn’t end with the initial design and implementation. We provide ongoing support and optimisation services to ensure that the learning platform continues to meet the needs of users and evolves with changing requirements.

1. Regular reviews and updates: We conduct regular reviews of the learning platform to identify areas for improvement and make necessary updates. This ensures that the platform remains up-to-date and continues to deliver an exceptional user experience.

2. Performance monitoring and analytics: We use performance monitoring tools and analytics to track user engagement and identify any potential issues. This data helps us make informed decisions about further enhancements and optimisations.

3. User feedback and continuous improvement: We actively seek user feedback to understand their experiences and gather insights for continuous improvement. This involves conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments to the platform.

WCAG 2.2 level AA accessibility audits

Ensuring that digital learning platforms are accessible to all users is a key aspect of our UX services. We conduct dedicated accessibility audits to ensure compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA standards. The audit involves a sample of three courses and follows the WebAIM WCAG Checklist to ensure comprehensive coverage.

1. Visual checks: We ensure that all visual elements meet accessibility standards, including proper contrast ratios, text readability, and overall design accessibility.

2. Screen reader evaluation: We test compatibility with popular screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver to ensure that all content can be accurately interpreted and navigated by users who rely on these tools.

3. User stories (manual testing): Hands-on testing is conducted to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2 Level AA guidelines. This includes navigating the platform as a user with disabilities would, to identify and address potential barriers.

4. Keyboard navigation: We verify that the courses can be navigated using only a keyboard, ensuring that all interactive elements are accessible without a mouse.

5. Colour contrast: We check that text and background colours meet minimum contrast ratios to ensure readability for users with visual impairments.

6. Alternative text for images: We ensure that all images have descriptive alt text, providing context for users who cannot see the images.

7. Captions and transcript review: Accurate captions and transcripts are provided for all multimedia content, ensuring that users with hearing impairments can access the information.

8. Error identification and resolution: We identify accessibility errors and provide solutions to fix them, ensuring that the platform meets all required accessibility standards.

Consultation and recommendations report

Our consultation process involves a series of workshops with key stakeholders to brainstorm ideas and discuss findings. These interactive sessions allow us to gather insights from stakeholders, facilitate brainstorming, and ensure that all perspectives are considered in developing customised solutions for the client. Regular meetings are held to discuss progress, review findings, and refine recommendations. This iterative process ensures that our solutions are continuously improved based on stakeholder feedback and the client’s specific requirements.

The final deliverable is a detailed Recommendations Report that compiles all findings and suggestions from our UX reviews, tailored to the client’s context. This report includes a high-level summary of the UX analysis, highlighting key pain points and areas for improvement specific to the client. Detailed findings from user journey mapping and usability tests are also included, along with visual representations of proposed improvements such as wireframes and design prototypes. Additionally, we provide a step-by-step implementation plan with suggested timelines, resources, and potential challenges specific to the client. A monitoring strategy is also outlined to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented changes over time.