Deepak Kumar - Product Designer

Case Study

Virtual Science Lab

Deepak Kumar

Overview

Virtual Science Lab is a comprehensive and dynamic platform that brings over 280+ meticulously crafted experiments to life, aligned with NCERT guidelines for grade 11 & 12 students to enrich their learning journey, empower them with hands-on experiences, and elevate their understanding of complex scientific concepts.

Problem Statement

Science students in grades 11 & 12 often struggle to understand complex ideas because they don't get enough one-on-one time with teachers and lack proper lab facilities. These issues become even more critical when exams are around the corner and students need to practice what they've learned.

The demand for such a tool is evident in the high number of visits to our existing lab website before exam time.

Objectives & Goals

To build a user-friendly online science lab that supplements classroom teaching, encourages self-study, and strengthens exam readiness for grade 11 and 12 students, offering a practical side to their theoretical subjects.

Design Process

Empathize

Define

Ideate

Design

Test

Handoff

User Interview

Competitive Analysis

User Persona

Empathy Map

Journey Map

Brainstorming

Information Architecture

Sketch

Low fidelity wireframe

UI Kit

High Fidelity Wireframe

Prototype

Usability Testing

Feedback Incorporation

Design System

Dev. Guidelines

User Interview

Conducted moderated Zoom interviews with 15 students from various schools in India to gain insights into their lab experiment experiences, curriculum relevance, and the specific support they seek to enhance their learning journey.

Lab Session Structure

How are the lab sessions typically conducted in your school?

“One teacher for a class of 40 students, no one to guide me personally”

Are there any specific guidelines followed during lab sessions?

Read lab manual before the session and answer VIVA questions during report submissions

What is the duration of a standard lab session?

2 hr/ subject in a week is the standard duration.

Challenges Faced by the students

What are some common challenges you face during lab sessions?

“I don’t get proper time to observe and document results from my experiments.”

Are there any particular experiments that you find challenging?

“Sometimes I can’t relate what I learn in the theory class with the practicals.”

How do you seek clarification when facing difficulties in the lab?

Mostly talk to group mates or take help from the lab assistant.

Test Preparation Method

How do you prepare for lab practical exams?

“Notes given by the teachers, lab manuals and sometimes Youtube videos”

Are there any study materials or resources provided to prepare for practical exams?

“Study the procedures of each experiment from the lab manual”

Other Modes of Practical Prep

Are there any tools you have come across that offer virtual lab sims?

Very few students (4) are aware of online tools and they use them rarely due to complexity.

Competitor Analysis

Guided

Curriculum

Poor

High School

Yes

Good

Okay

US College

Curriculum

Yes

Okay

US High School

Curriculum

Poor

Huge Repository

The current landscape of science simulation websites falls short in providing guided experiences that align with NCERT curriculum, hindering students' ability to grasp concepts and prepare for the practical test.

User Persona

Rohan Patel

Grade 12

About

Gujarat

Description

He is passionate about science and aspires to pursue a career in engineering. He is a diligent and curious learner, always eager to explore new concepts and experiment with hands-on activities.

Goals and Motivations

Score well in his grade 12 science exams, especially in lab practical, to secure admission to a reputable engineering college.

Improve his lab skills and gain confidence in performing experiments independently.

Challenges

With a demanding academic schedule and limited lab sessions in school, Rohan faces difficulty in getting enough hands-on practice.

Behavior

Active Learner

Tech-Savvy

Curious

Inquisitive

I love science, but I wish there were more interactive platforms that could guide me through experiments step-by-step. It's tough to find resources that align with our NCERT curriculum, and I want to be well-prepared for my upcoming lab practical exams.

Empathy Map

Thinks

Feels

Does

Says

I can’t relate the theory
with the practical.

I wish someone took me through the experiment step by step.

“I want to get good marks in my lab exams.”

“That experiment was so rushed...”

Asks group mates for help.

Tries to go through the lab manual for clarity

Anxious

Confusion

Looks up Youtube videos of the experiment after lab.

Scared about the final lab exams.

“I didn’t get a the chance to perform some experiments in the lab.”

Worried about insufficient time for lab practice and anxious due to limited lab facilities.

Pains

Motivated to score well

Eager to improve lab skills and confidence.

Gains

User Journey Map

Pre-Lab

In-Lab

Post-Lab

Exam Prep

Perform practicals and

note observation

Prepare for the lab session

Analyze results and write report

Revise all experiments and

learn theory

Action

I need personal attention from lab assistant or teacher

I wish there were interactive platforms for lab practice

I need tools to review and understand concepts after the lab session.

I wish there were mock lab exams to practice before the actual exam.

Thoughts

Confused, unsure about proper procedures

Anxious, worried about preparation

Perplexed, seeks ways to solidify knowledge

Nervous, hopes to recall experiments well

Emotions

Incorporate step-by-step guidance within the platform.

Provide time-efficient and convenient practice tools.

Provide review materials and resources for reinforcement.

Integrate mock lab practical exams into the platform.

Design

Opportunity

Lack of guidance during experiments

Limited access to guided resources

Difficulty reinforcing concepts outside lab

Scarcity of mock lab practical exams

Challenges

School Laboratory

Home/School

Lab Manual

Online Video

Home/School

Exam Centre

Environment

😕

😖

😟

😬

Brainstorming

During the brainstorming session, valuable insights from user interviews were collated and analyzed using affinity mapping. The process helped identify key themes,
allowing us tofilter and prioritize the most promising ideas for a user-centric and innovative design.

Need for guided

experience

Virtual Lab

Assistant

Constructive

Feedback Mechanism

Step by step

Video

Desire for interactive learning experiences

Hands on experience

Note taking &

Calculation