Academic Pathway Finder

The primary goal is to encourage students to strategically choose classes, extracurricular activities, and align their recommendations with their major/minor to increase school enrollment and enhance their skillset for successful graduation.

Yes! Using Javascript, CSS, and HTML, I was able to create a single path of recommendation. While the physical appearance is nowhere close to the prototype it is a functional application

Research: 

The design process began with extensive brainstorming and sketching sessions to explore different approaches to the recommendation system. Due to the scope of the project, the team focused on three specific majors to ensure depth and relevance. Each major was thoroughly researched to understand the unique needs and preferences of students within those disciplines.

Prototyping: 

The resulting prototype incorporated features to recommend classes, options for dual majors, suggested minors, and certificates, based off the major the user selected. Additionally, the design elements were carefully crafted to reflect the school’s branding, ensuring seamless integration with the campus environment.

User Testing:

User testing posed a challenge in recruiting participants who were not seniors, given the senior status of the project team members (myself included). However, efforts were made to engage students from the targeted majors who were not in their final year of university. Despite these challenges, testing sessions showed that for the most part - students enjoyed the concept but was confused by the actually presentation of prototype. 

Key Learnings:

Through the user testing process, the team gained valuable insights into the usability and effectiveness of the prototype. Feedback from testers highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in terms of navigation, clarity of recommendations, and integration with existing university platforms. However, they did appreciate the overall concept behind it which shows the urgency behind this application.

Topper Course Finder/ Academic Pathway Finder (APF)  represents a step towards enhancing student engagement and success at St. Edward’s University. By prioritizing the needs of students and leveraging UX principles, the project aims to empower students to make informed decisions about their academic journey. With continued refinement and implementation, the APF has the potential to become an invaluable tool for students, facilitating their path to graduation and beyond.