eCampus redesign to improve User Experience

Enhancing convenience for students to access classes

1. Abstract

In this blog post, we delve into a case study examining the effectiveness of eCampus, a digital learning environment utilized across various educational institutions, within the framework of the course “QuantUX – Analyse quantitative de données d’expérience utilisateurs (SES216).” The study’s objective was to pinpoint and rectify issues within the platform from the perspective of students. Data were gathered through student surveys, user-friendly evaluation of product criteria, and task-based data collection. The findings unveiled challenges related to course navigation and accessibility, alongside the significant influence of appealing design on user motivation. Moreover, the study offers actionable insights and recommendations aimed at enhancing the platform’s user experience, emphasizing cost-effective solutions.

2. Case-study

eCampus serves as a pivotal Learning Management System utilized by numerous prestigious institutions including AgroParisTech, CentraleSupelec, ENS, ENSTA, INSTN, IOGS, Télécom Paris, UEVE, Université Paris-Saclay, and UVSQ. Built upon Moodle, an open-source pedagogic ecosystem, eCampus plays an integral role in the daily academic endeavors of thousands of students, facilitating access to their courses and educational materials. Given its widespread use, ensuring a seamless user experience is paramount. Recognizing several shortcomings within the eCampus platform, our team embarked on a comprehensive study aimed at pinpointing areas for improvement from the vantage point of the student community.

3. Data & Methods

3.1. Student survey

In order to gain valuable insights into the necessary enhancements for the platform, we initiated a comprehensive series of brief interviews with our target demographic. Specifically, we engaged with a dozen of first and second-year students from Télécom Paris, inviting them to share their overall impressions of eCampus, elucidate the challenges they encountered, and pinpoint areas ripe for improvement. Additionally, we tasked them with identifying a specific course from their schedule and measuring the average time spent on this task utilizing the platform.

The collected data enabled us to discern key patterns, identify prevalent issues, and highlight potential areas for enhancement. Armed with this invaluable information, our team proceeded to craft a prototype utilizing the Quant-UX platform, integrating the insights garnered from the student survey.

3.2. User-Friendly Product Criterion Evaluation

To assess user interaction with our prototype effectively, we crafted a structured Google Form survey divided into three distinct sections:

1. Aesthetic, Navigation, and Overall Experience Ratings: This section features questions aimed at evaluating eCampus across three key dimensions – aesthetics, navigation, and overall experience. Participants were prompted to rate their experience on a scale ranging from 1 (Extremely poor) to 5 (Excellent).
2. Multiple Choice Questions on Potential Platform Enhancements: In this segment, participants were presented with multiple-choice questions addressing various aspects of potential platform improvements. Topics covered included preferred course display format and language options, among others.
3. Prototype Evaluation: The final section solicited feedback on the prototype’s aesthetics, navigation, and overall experience. Similar to the first section, respondents were asked to rate their experience on a scale from 1 to 5, enabling us to gauge the effectiveness of our prototype in addressing identified issues and meeting user expectations.

3.3. Task-Based Data Collection

In conjunction with the survey, we invited users to engage hands-on with our prototype via the Quant-UX platform. Participants were encouraged to explore the prototype freely, taking note of enhancements such as the inclusion of a search bar, flexible course display options (cards or list view), course categorization, a calendar featuring deadlines, language customization capabilities, and the elimination of redundant eCampus features. Furthermore, users were tasked with locating a specific course from their schedule and recording the average time spent on this task, allowing for a direct comparison with the corresponding metric obtained using the eCampus platform.

4. Results

4.1. Student survey

Analysis of the student interviews revealed several key issues pertaining to the usability of eCampus:

1. Session Time-out Limitations: Participants expressed frustration with the platform’s excessively low session time-out thresholds, which were also found to be non-customizable, impeding uninterrupted usage.
2. Lack of Direct Course Access: Users reported difficulties in directly accessing their courses, often encountering obstacles when attempting to navigate to the desired content.
3. Inconsistent Navigation: An inconsistency was noted in the platform’s navigation, particularly evident when users clicked on “page d’accueil” and were occasionally directed to a page displaying a list of all available courses, rather than the anticipated menu featuring tiles.
4. Absence of Page Organization: Users voiced concerns over the absence of a coherent organizational structure within the platform, leading to confusion and inefficiency when searching for specific courses.
5. Limited Course Sorting Options: Participants expressed a desire for additional methods to sort and organize the available courses, enhancing accessibility and user experience.

Notably, the majority of identified issues revolved around challenges related to navigation and course discovery, underscoring the importance of addressing these aspects to improve overall usability.

4.2. User-Friendly Product Criterion Evaluation

Based on the insights gleaned from the Google Form survey, which received 54 answers, the following key findings emerged:

1. Course Display Preferences: Users expressed a preference for customizable options to display courses, indicating a desire for flexibility in organizing and accessing their educational content.
2. Aesthetic Preference: From an aesthetic standpoint, the prototype garnered favorable feedback compared to eCampus. Users appreciated the visually appealing design of the prototype, suggesting a preference for its aesthetic presentation.
3. Navigation Enhancement: Participants reported an improved navigation experience with the prototype, highlighting smoother and more intuitive pathways to access course materials and relevant resources.
4. Overall Impression and Motivation: Impressions of the overall user experience were notably enhanced with the prototype. Many students reported heightened motivation to engage with their studies when utilizing the prototype, suggesting a positive impact on their learning experience.

For a detailed visualization of the survey results, please refer to the accompanying graphs provided below. These graphical representations offer a comprehensive overview of user preferences and perceptions, further illuminating the efficacy of the prototype in addressing identified issues and enhancing the user experience.

4.3. Task-based data collection

Upon analyzing the results obtained from testing the prototype, several notable insights surfaced regarding user preferences and interactions:

1. Key User Interests: The testing revealed that users exhibited the greatest interest in features such as the search bar, options to change the course display mode, accessing personal accounts, and utilizing the calendar functionality.
2. Efficiency of the Search Bar: Notably, the search bar emerged as the most efficient tool, particularly when employed on the main page for course searches. Users demonstrated a preference for this feature due to its effectiveness in swiftly locating desired courses.

These findings underscore the significance of prioritizing and optimizing functionalities that align closely with user preferences and contribute to streamlining the overall user experience. By focusing on enhancing these key features, eCampus can further enhance its usability and effectiveness, ultimately fostering a more seamless and satisfying user journey.

5. Insights and Recommendation

The study outlined above underscores the paramount importance of seamless navigation and efficient course discovery within the eCampus platform, serving as the cornerstone of user satisfaction. Notably, users demonstrated heightened interest in functionalities that facilitate ease of use and swift access to relevant course materials, notably including:

1. Search Bar: The search bar emerged as a pivotal tool, allowing users to swiftly locate their desired courses with minimal effort. Its implementation significantly enhances the platform’s usability and fosters a more streamlined user experience.
2. Course Categorization: Users expressed a strong preference for features that organize courses into distinct categories, such as by subject areas or types. This segmentation aids in enhancing accessibility and facilitates targeted navigation, further augmenting user satisfaction.

Moreover, our research revealed a compelling correlation between the platform’s design attractiveness and users’ motivation to engage with it for learning purposes. Enhancing the visual appeal of eCampus holds substantial potential to cultivate more active user engagement and elevate the overall learning experience. By investing in design improvements, eCampus can effectively leverage its attractiveness as a catalyst for heightened user motivation and sustained learning engagement.

It’s worth noting that these enhancements align closely with cost-effective strategies, maximizing the return on investment for platform improvements. By prioritizing features that significantly impact user experience while minimizing resource expenditure, eCampus can achieve substantial gains in usability and user satisfaction without incurring prohibitive costs.