SMARTYPANTS CONCEPT DESIGN
A virtual study environment that:
- Keeps users accountable by providing visual data of their study habits
- Creates positive peer pressure by being able to see the activity of the user’s peers
- Blocks distractions
- Is free for all users
Background
Computers enabled greater independent study and have made academic resources widely available; however, studying alone on devices used both for productively and for entertainment can make it challenging for students to manage their time.
This issue is more relevant than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pitfalls of Virtual Studying
- Students are easily sidetracked in personal, isolated environments
- Easy access to non-task related websites
- Phone alerts & notifications
- Alerts from social media websites add to distraction
- Weak legibility & imageability of online academic community
- Isolated virtual studying is a hidden community
- Lack of interaction & accountability from peers
︎
“To successfully study alone, a student needs to have control.”
By keeping users accountable for their productive time, Smartypants creates a motivated study experience.
SmartyPants Browser Extension
We created a Google Chrome extension, Smartypants. It emulates a physical space and creates an interactive academic environment online, allowing people to be ‘seen’ by others while also being held accountable for their studying and academics by their peers.
With this extension:
- Productive websites are identified
- Tracks users productive time spent online
- Connects users with friends and makes their studying visible
- Creates a sense of community and support
Our online interface that act as an academic virtual space to tackle low productivity when using the internet to complete academic work.
How?
- One-stop-shop
- Keep users accountable
- Providing valuable information
By clicking the Smartypants icon, users can access productivity stats.
User Journey
Upon entering a predetermined ‘productive site’, users are prompted to choose whether they are studying or not. Tracking begin following the users confirmation.
Creating a sense of community
- Shows not only the users progress, but their friend’s as well
- Can congratulate and encourage others progress by moving yours forward
- Receive notifications when friends are studying
- Potential to serve as motivation and create a sense of an academic space
Limitations
- Virtual environment is not exhaustive schoolwork/productivity tracking program
- Does not target specializes study areas like architecture or studio art
- Would require accompanying desktop app to track offline work
Early Iterations
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