Webuzz

Webuzz is a democratic learning platform geared toward middle school students. The iPad application corresponds directly with two speculative interactive screens; a smartboard for the teacher to present to the class and a large-scale dual screen for student debates, games, and team-building activities.

The goal of Webuzz is to develop democracy within the classroom, utilize collaborative learning, and promote a sense of community amongst peers. Students have the opportunity to choose how they want to learn, and the class makes decisions as a whole, with the teacher acting as a moderator.

Webuzz is a democratic learning platform geared toward middle school students. The iPad application corresponds directly with two speculative interactive screens; a smartboard for the teacher to present to the class and a large-scale dual screen for student debates, games, and team-building activities.

The goal of Webuzz is to develop democracy within the classroom, utilize collaborative learning and promote a sense of community amongst peers. Students have the opportunity to choose how they want to learn and the class makes decisions as a whole, with the teacher acting as a moderator.

Webuzz is a democratic learning platform geared toward middle school students. The iPad application corresponds directly with two speculative interactive screens; a smartboard for the teacher to present to the class and a large-scale dual screen for student debates, games, and team-building activities.

The goal of Webuzz is to develop democracy within the classroom, utilize collaborative learning, and promote a sense of community amongst peers. Students have the opportunity to choose how they want to learn, and the class makes decisions as a whole, with the teacher acting as a moderator.

This was a speculative case study that has not been implemented.

This was a speculative case study which has not been implemented.

This was a speculative case study that has not been implemented.

My Role
UI/UX
User Research
Empathy & Journey Mapping
Wireframing
Branding
Animation

Collaborators
Edwing Mendez

Completed
2014

Demo Video

User Research

We researched teaching methods, child psychology, and democratic learning techniques. We consolidated our learnings into a simple empathy map to guide our design process.

We researched teaching methods, child psychology, and democratic learning techniques. We consolidated our learnings into a simple empathy map to guide our design process.

We researched teaching methods, child psychology, and democratic learning techniques. We consolidated our learnings into a simple empathy map to guide our design process.

A poster of the different types of people.
A red and white banner with the words

User Experience Mapping

User Experience Mapping

User Experience Mapping

We began mapping out flows for the user experience of the primary users - the students and the teacher. We also mapped out user interactions for the large-scale screens.

A map of the student tablet interface.
A smart board user map with the main features of each.
A user map of the collaboration station
A teacher tablet interface map with many features.

Wireframing

Wireframing

Wireframing

Next, we began iteratively wireframing to determine the UI and UX of the application. This step also helped us work out the information architecture of each screen.

Next, we began iteratively wireframing to determine the UI and UX of the application. This step also helped us work out the information architecture of each screen.

Next, we began iteratively wireframing to determine the UI and UX of the application. This step also helped us work out the information architecture of each screen.

A series of images showing different types of wireframes.

Branding & UI Components

Branding & UI Components

Branding & UI Components

Honeybees make decisions collectively and democratically. A bee felt like a perfect mascot. We named our application Webuzz and created a simple brand with a playful bee logo. Next, we developed visual styles and UI components for the application.

Honeybees make decisions collectively and democratically. A bee felt like a perfect mascot. We named our application Webuzz and created a simple brand with a playful bee logo. Next, we developed visual styles and UI components for the application.

Honeybees make decisions collectively and democratically. A bee felt like a perfect mascot. We named our application Webuzz and created a simple brand with a playful bee logo. Next, we developed visual styles and UI components for the application.

A yellow and blue design with icons of an iphone.

The Solutions

After several rounds of iteration and perfecting of user flows, we had a proof of concept for WeBuzz. An iPad application allows student users to discuss topics, vote on class decisions, and play interactive learning games. The student app feeds student responses and data directly to a teacher app, where they can interact with students and track activity. We also designed speculative large-scale interactive screens for debates and class team building activities.

After several rounds of iteration and perfecting of user flows, we had a proof of concept for WeBuzz. An iPad application allows student users to discuss topics, vote on class decisions and play interactive learning games. The student app feeds student responses and data directly to a teacher app, where they can interact with students and track activity. We also designed speculative large-scale interactive screens for debates and class team building activities.

After several rounds of iteration and perfecting of user flows, we had a proof of concept for WeBuzz. An iPad application allows student users to discuss topics, vote on class decisions, and play interactive learning games. The student app feeds student responses and data directly to a teacher app, where they can interact with students and track activity. We also designed speculative large-scale interactive screens for debates and class team building activities.

A computer screen with an image of a lion.

Discussion Feed

Students add current events and discussion topics to the Discussion Feed. Classmates and the teacher can comment on posts and choose topics for live debates.

Students add current events and discussion topics to the Discussion Feed. Classmates and the teacher can comment on posts and choose topics for live debates.

Students add current events and discussion topics to the Discussion Feed. Classmates and the teacher can comment on posts and choose topics for live debates.

A person using an ipad at a table
A tablet with an image of a pencil and some other things.

Topic Approval

The teacher easily moderates discussion topics and offers feedback from the teacher app.

The teacher easily moderates discussion topics and offers feedback from the teacher app.

The teacher easily moderates discussion topics and offers feedback from the teacher app.

A woman sitting at a table with a tablet.
A tablet showing the dashboard of an election campaign.

Student Council

The Student Council feature teaches students about different roles in a democracy. They can create campaigns and vote for their classmates for class roles. An in-app survey helps the teacher determine the best candidates for each role and pairs students with candidates who share similar views on class topics.

A person is using an ipad on the floor
A tablet with an interactive video game.

Smartboard & Class Voting

Smartboard & Class Voting

Smartboard & Class Voting

The interactive Smartboard is the perfect place for class discussions and votes. Students can voice their opinions on topics by typing in real-time comments which appear on the board. During class votes, students can yell their choice, and the Webuzz Smartboard recognizes their voice and submits their vote.

The interactive Smartboard is the perfect place for class discussions and votes. Students can voice their opinions on topics by typing in real-time comments which appear on the board. During class votes, students can yell their choice, and the Webuzz Smartboard recognizes their voice and submits their vote.

A woman sitting on the ground in front of an image.
A woman standing in front of a wall with a picture of animals.
A screen shot of the biology field trip.

Every student has the opportunity to speak out. For those too shy to yell, they can easily swipe on their tablets. This option also allows students to vote deductively, and a Bee Helper offers tips from their previous votes.

Every student has the opportunity to speak out. For those too shy to yell, they can easily swipe on their tablets. This option also allows students to vote deductively, and a Bee Helper offers tips from their previous votes.

A tablet with the field trip note displayed.

Activity Hive

The Activity Hive is a large-scale, transparent dual screen in the classroom where students can participate in interactive debates, games, and other activities that help students engage and develop collaborative skills.

The Activity Hive is a large-scale, transparent dual screen in the classroom where students can participate in interactive debates, games, and other activities that help students engage and develop collaborative skills.

A logo of the we buzz activity hive.
A graphic of the ebuzz website
A colorful infographic with the words
A yellow and black logo is shown on the screen.
A blue and yellow logo with the words ebuzz written in it.
A blue and yellow screen with the ebuzz logo.
A yellow bee logo is shown on the screen.
A blue and yellow screen with the words ebuzz written in it.

Student Stats

Data from class debates and the Activity Hive contribute to the Student Stats. The teacher can use these stats to track class activities, comprehension of each student, work completion, and even share the stats.

Data from class debates and the Activity Hive contribute to the Student Stats. The teacher can use these stats to track class activities, comprehension of each student, work completion, and even share the stats.

Data from class debates and the Activity Hive contribute to the Student Stats. The teacher can use these stats to track class activities, comprehension of each student, work completion, and even share the stats.

webuzz-teachstats
A blue background with yellow bees and the words

Sam Small Design

© 2024

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