Introduction
Digitizing the Microscope Learning Experience
Attach the lens to your phone or tablet to instantly transform it into a microscope. Let kids observe objects and enter the microscopic world in seconds.
Since the impact of the pandemic, teachers have faced the challenge of converting laboratory courses into online formats. Our goal is to digitize the microscope laboratory experience, enabling teaching in any environment.
My Role
- Collaborated with the education team to organize online workshops and conduct interviews with teachers to gather insights.
- Convert teachers' laboratory class process and objectives into web-based courses suitable for distance learning.
- Conducted and implemented teacher feedback to enhance the functionality of the mobile microscope through the newly designed app.
User Research
Collect Feedback from Online Workshops
During the pandemic, we organized online workshops, building strong relationships with teachers globally.
Based on our comprehensive experience, we aim to modularize the workshop approach and initiate user research.
Findings from User Survey
We conducted about 20 in-depth interviews with science teachers in the US and Taiwan, representing approximately 60% of US teachers, 40% of teachers from Taiwan.
We found that even after the pandemic, schools remain highly interested in online teaching solutions for lab courses and are able to articulate their needs for distance learning.
Persona
By analyzing data obtained from surveys and interviews, we discovered that science teachers in both Taiwan and abroad encounter similar challenges in distance learning.
Journey Map of Traditional Courses in Lab
The lab class emphasizes the importance of immediate practice and presentation after teacher instruction, showcasing the transformation of inputs into outputs through various processes.
Goal Setting
Based on teachers' existing teaching practices and valued aspects, we will pursue two main objectives to enhance the instructional experience.
Webpage Design
Wireframe
I create a wireframe to discuss with the education team, aiming to present the course flow on the website and capture instructional details in segmented videos.
Webpage Final Design
After defining the execution goals, we combine the product's usage details with the actual course content to transform the web page into an online teaching experience tailored to guide students.
For minor hardware updates and instructional video adjustments, we complete the Chinese version first for testing and feedback in Taiwan.
App Design
Wireframe
When designing the microscope UI for our TA, an elementary school student, it is important to consider their accessibility during operation and arrange key functions accordingly.
Components
We use modular components and design system to ensure consistency in our designs and reduce technical debt over time.
Final Design - Simplifying for Child-Friendly Operation
From microscope setup, focusing, to capturing images, we have developed an intuitive interface for teacher-student instruction, making it easy for children to explore the microscopic world effortlessly.
Interface Suit for Various Lighting and Themes
Regardless of the theme, our interface provides clear visibility, with key function buttons conveniently placed on the left and bottom for easy operation without obstructing the view.
Step-by-Step Guide to Microscope Calibration
To ensure precise scale accuracy, our designed process assists users in easily calibrating the microscope's precision to accommodate different mobile devices.
Image Annotation: Sharing Key Insights with Classmates
After capturing photos, users can annotate them directly within the album. The ability to display or hide individual annotations enables users to share important points with classmates in real-time.
Try Out Prototype
Fell free to enlarge the window to experience functionalities.
It is recommended to use "Chrome browser" to experience prototype.
Result
Positive feedback from Taiwanese teachers on our online courses and app has prompted us to expand the filming of educational videos abroad, enabling the global implementation of the digitized microscope laboratory experience.
