CLASS REGISTRATION
Design and present a digital tool that improves Ferris State University’s class registration process
objectives
DELIVERABLES
Reduce the time spent on registration tasks by
students and faculty, reduce the number of registration conflicts, and provide students with confidence while registering
students and faculty, reduce the number of registration conflicts, and provide students with confidence while registering
Research document
Static prototypes
Functional prototype
Static prototypes
Functional prototype
Understanding the current process
Students currently log into MyFSU where they check their registration date, account holds, look up classes, and view their degree progress.
Completing a detailed task analysis helped me identify key user paths and evaluate the current UI using usability heuristics to uncover potential usability issues.
1. Not providing enough feedback based on user's input
2. Too much inconsistency and variation in completing tasks
3. Hard-to-acquire targets and unidentifiable interaction points
4. Limited functionality across devices
5. Filtering tools that are not user-centered
6. Poor communication of different types of information across pages
7. Information is not easy to scan
2. Too much inconsistency and variation in completing tasks
3. Hard-to-acquire targets and unidentifiable interaction points
4. Limited functionality across devices
5. Filtering tools that are not user-centered
6. Poor communication of different types of information across pages
7. Information is not easy to scan
1. Not providing enough feedback based on user's input
2. Too much inconsistency and variation in completing tasks
3. Hard-to-acquire targets and unidentifiable interaction points
4. Limited functionality across devices
5. Filtering tools that are not user-centered
6. Poor communication of different types of information across pages
7. Information is not easy to scan
2. Too much inconsistency and variation in completing tasks
3. Hard-to-acquire targets and unidentifiable interaction points
4. Limited functionality across devices
5. Filtering tools that are not user-centered
6. Poor communication of different types of information across pages
7. Information is not easy to scan
understanding the student perspective
Conducting cognitive walkthroughs and interviews, tested my assumptions on usability issues and key user paths. From this process, I documented student frustrations and behavioral insights about the current registration process.
Insights
1. Students rely on entering CRN numbers for specific classes on registration day
2. Everyone uses their own tactic or tool for prototyping multiple schedules
3. Students make multiple schedules to account for classes may be full
4. They all use their laptops for registration
5. All felt nervous and stressed prior to their registration time and relieved afterward
Resolving Student Painpoints
The majority of the students I interviewed mentioned they were reminded of registration by word of mouth. Instead of having to hope someone tells you about registration, email notifications were created so are reminded of their registration time and account holds.
Students can quickly filter to see which classes they still need to take. Once they find which classes they need, they can add them to a queue and begin prototyping plans for registration.
To speed up the process of creating schedule options, the system automatically filters out class offerings that create a conflict with other selected classes in their schedule. It also provides alternatives based on the classes they still need to take in their MyDegree.
Creating and saving plans makes it easier to notify students ahead of time if one of their classes is full prior to registration time. Getting those issues resolved ahead of time enables students to register in two clicks with their preset plans.
Students can just as easily register for classes on their phones if they are at work or in class during their registration time.
