My Learning LabTeaching Resources for the

Smithsonian Learning Lab

EDIT 752 “Team B”

Doug Baldwin

Smithsonian/NASM STEM

Program Director, 15

Years Experience

Ellen Boucher

Professional Instructional Designer and

Assistant Director,

Education, 10 Years

Experience

Shannon Gunn

Instructional Designer and

Former Teacher, Self-

published Author, 10

Years Experience

Jennifer Kleiner

Marketing and Communications

Specialist and Campaign Project

Manager, 5 Years

Experience

Katrina Rainer

Instructional Designer and Former Math Teacher with Emphasis on

Technology, 10 years Experience

Our Client - SCLDA

Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access (SCLDA) collects, organizes, digitizes, and distributes educational materials from all Smithsonian Museums.

Click here: http://learninglab.si.edu

Background

2015Smithsonian

14 Databases of AssetsMy Learning Lab

Contextual Analysis - Fall 2015SCLDA Needs:• Awareness and

outreach• Joyful user experience• Platform to be user-

focused• Community building• STEM teacher support• How to videos• New science standards

integration

Teacher Needs:● How to use the SLL● Sample activities● Easy to use● Quizzes● Sharing● Engaging and

interactive● Customizable

experience

Requirements and Modeling - Fall 2015

WAAD - Trello Board

The First Prototype - Fall 2015

How To Videos

Resources

Teacher’s Corner

Forum

Blog

My Profile

Spring 2016

1. Reviewed data from pilot testing2. Created Research Plan3. Incorporated pilot test data into Prototype4. Round 1 Usability Testing5. Created Wix site6. Round 2 Usability Testing7. Updated Wix site

Prototype Feedback

1. Confusion b/t the SLL and MLL• Logins• Are the resources on MLL or SLL?

2. Confusion about “Resources” vs. “Teacher’s Corner”4. Layout and aesthetic design

Prototype #2: Wix Site• Cleaner layout• Created video: what is

the Smithsonian Learning Lab?

• Created 9 how-to videos

• Added resources• Updated forum• Updated profile page

Changed “Teacher’s Corner” to “My Favorites”Round 1 Research Findings and Changes

Categorized the Resources

Added Blog Content with Categories

Added Short Descriptions to Each Page

Videos Now Opened in A New PageAlso added directions on how to watch full screen

Round 2 Testing Participants• 8 Participants• Age 20 - 60• 6 in K12

education• Most had 10+

years experience

• 4 returning, 5 new users

Round 2 Data Collection and Analysis

• Video taped 2 think alouds• Written survey responses conducted via email• Self-reported emotional impact• Observational notes of users during testing• Heuristic notes

Round 2 Feedback• This site is helpful!• Large impact after watching “What is the Smithsonian

Learning Lab” video

Round 2 Data Synthesis and Feedback

Round 2 Aesthetics and Design FeedbackPositive feedback:• Emotional response: enjoyable experience• Friendly• InvitingFeedback for improvement:• Colors too bright• Logo looks like a tomato• Layout - sidebars are confusing

New Logo

Widescreen Format

http://mylearninglabgmu.wix.com/mylearninglab

Rewrote Introductory Paragraph

Round 2 Research Strand:Clarifying the Difference

Positive Feedback:• The new prototype clarified and described the

possibilities of using the SLL• Users felt more comfortable and confident in using the

SLLFeedback for Improvement:• More clarity on connection b/t SLL and MLL• Need to clarify the sign up process

Restructured the About Page

http://mylearninglabgmu.wix.com/mylearninglab#!about/pma40

Added “Getting Started”

http://mylearninglabgmu.wix.com/mylearninglab#!get-started/z8cvi

Clarified Membership

http://mylearninglabgmu.wix.com/mylearninglab#!my-profile/rotwg

Clarified Resources on “My Favorites”

http://mylearninglabgmu.wix.com/mylearninglab#!my-favorites/cjnnh

Navigation FeedbackPositive feedback:• Menu is clearFeedback for improvement:• Confusion b/t resources and blogChanges made:• Group resources under blog format with categories • Added video times• Darkened font

Combined Resources and Blog

http://mylearninglabgmu.wix.com/mylearninglab#!resources-1/jd1o7

Future ChangesIf we were to continue this project, we would:• Use new colors• Make site functional• Incorporate social

and google sign on• Continue to work on

videos

Many thanks!This was a true “TEAM” effort!

Doug Baldwin Ellen Boucher Shannon Gunn Jennifer Kleiner Katrina Rainer