Niamh O’Connor Aoife Mallon Claudia Walker Project Proposal Niamh O’Connor Aoife Mallon Claudia Walker

An introduction to our idea User group = Leaving cert students Organisation a big problem Monitoring their time with study (self quantification) Understanding CAO process, deadlines and communication with students in 3rd level No Irish/Leaving Cert specific apps on the market An introduction to our idea

Leaving cert student having time management issues (self quantification) Spending too much time on some subjects/not enough on others Confusion over CAO application and deadlines Distraction from social media apps such as Facebook and Twitter etc. Lack of motivation to study No rewards/goal system in place Difficult to find first hand experience from students in their 3rd level course of interest A need to take control of their own learning, self monitoring their time spent studying and test results What’s the Problem?

Say hello to Lisa! Lisa Smith – 18 years old – 6th Year Having trouble with organisation, motivation and monitoring her studies Struggles with subjects she dislikes – doesn’t spend enough time on them Confused about converting grades to points Worries about missing CAO deadlines Say hello to Lisa!

Improve her study skills and monitor her studying over the year Divide her time equally between subjects Show her progress and how it relates to time spent studying Irish Leaving Cert specific app for points calculation and CAO reminders Persona

Product related research Not many apps available ‘Study Checker’ – Android Badly designed Not user friendly Confusing Irish Leaving Cert Specific app Existing apps for revision etc. – nothing like this Improvement of Study Checker plus Points Calculator app Product related research

So, what does the literature say? Kohn (1993) noted that a student's motivation to learn prospers when the student has an element of control or power over their learning. Achievement motivation is a key component in order for students to successfully complete their academic studies (Yousefi, Ghasemi & Firouznia, 2009). Recent studies highlight that the use of electronic media, such as video games or social networking sites, have a negative impact upon student's attention and cause distraction when undertaking academic tasks (Jacobsen & Forste, 2011). McCollum and Kajs (2007) noted that low achievement among students showed a strong positive correlation with the avoidance of goal orientated study So, what does the literature say?

Well, what does that mean? Students need to be in control of their own learning Motivation is a key component for academic success Facebook and Twitter do not count as study! Working with a goal system can help Well, what does that mean?

Solution 1 Application for smart phone (android, iphone etc.) Organise study Monitor grades and test results Monitor hours spent studying and what subjects Study tips Per cent to grades Calculate points CAO information and reminders Block other apps Set goals Irish student specific Solution 1

Solution 2 Website focused on Irish leaving cert students Students earn ‘points’ for amount of hours study logged each day Can redeem points for ‘prizes’ i.e cinema tickets, educational materials, days out Online forum where students can share tips and communicate with 3rd level students in their course of interest Get study tips and connect with other leaving cert students Solution 2

Spoke to leaving cert students about their feelings on both ideas From this research we found…. More likely to use an app for smart phone then a website/online forum Students would lie about amount of hours studied completed to earn extra points Would want a default study schedule as making one takes too much time Wanted a function which showed an estimate of CAO points to keep them on track throughout leaving cert cycle Field Research

Requirements Gathering Used a Google Docs survey https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kukmYGvM Zwin8uIUN4x2Alz72fcTcirOhp99PVtB5mE/viewf orm Easiest method to access user group Qualitative and Quantitative questions, Likert scale Requirements Gathering

Our survey says….! Carried out a survey on leaving cert students () Want a feature that blocks other distracting apps such as Facebook, Twitter etc. Overall said they would use this app and found app idea more useful than website/online forum idea Our survey says….!

Actual Quote from survey respondent: “If an app like the one described above was made, I would die of happiness”

95% of survey respondents have a smart phone, so mobile app more useable. From this we can assume that they are tech savvy. Users want to be able to keep track of their progress in classes Want clear easy to follow study schedule Users are busy and stressed so want reminders to keep them on top of their CAO deadlines. User Characteristics

Technical feasability Most likely use Axure to design prototype Most features are straightforward and feasible for a prototype demonstration Some features (eg. sliding) may not be available in Axure but would be intended to be used in the finished model Technical feasability

Jacobsen, W. C. , & Forste, R. (2011) Jacobsen, W. C., & Forste, R. (2011). The wired generation: Academic and social outcomes of electronic media use among university students. CyberPsychology, Behavior & Social Networking, 14(5), 275-280. Kohn, A. (1993). Why and how to let students decide. Phi Delta Kappan, 75(1), 8-20. McCollum, D. L., & Kajs, L. T. (2007). Applying goal orientation theory in an exploration of student motivations in the domain of educational leadership. Educational Research Quarterly, 31(1),45-59. Yousefi, A. R., Ghasemi, G. R., & Firouznia, S. (2009).Relationship between progress motivation and academic achievement in medical students isfahan. Iranian Journal of Medical education, 9(1), 79-85. References