Multi-task Optimization for smart board OS

Multi-window functionality is a system feature enhancing the operational efficiency and portability within the system, dealing with complex tasks and information.

K12

Smart board

Innovativeness

Overview

Multi-window functionality is a system feature enhancing the operational efficiency and portability within the system, dealing with complex tasks and information.

Project Context

- Time: 2021.9-2022.6

- Group: 2 Product Manager / 1 UX Designer / 12 Programmer

- Version: V1.0-V1.6

Roles & Responsibilities

- UX designer, responsible for leading the project end to end

Core Experience

Pinning, split-screen functionality, and gestures are tools that assist teachers in managing and displaying windows. They help teachers conduct lessons with organized arrangement and presentation, making learning efficient and enjoyable.

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to see window menu bar

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Background

What did we do in user testing?

The user testing we conducted aimed to confirm if the IFP (Interactive flat panel) met users' needs and how to deal with the multitasking. Additionally, it delved into understanding how users performed in recognizing visual information and navigating interactive pathways. These insights will be helpful in optimizing our product in the future.

6X Interviews 👨‍🏫

We found 6 teachers working for middle school, trying to understand user‘s need and pain point, to find opportunity

Process

Usability testing

Face-to-face User Interviews

Prototype Testing

Card Sorting

Surveys and Questionnaires

User testing findings

System satisfaction

62points

Task completion rate

60%

Window control problems

Poor operational efficiency

Multitasking   chaos

How might help teachers

handle multitasking operating in smart board OS to improve efficiency

Analysis & Key insight

Using a user experience map to analyze and summarize user pain points, and based on the above user testing, prioritize optimization. The design objective is to enhance the safety and perceptibility of user operations while reducing operational difficulties

Enter

Obscure access to split-screen mode

Feature access & gesture controls

Switch

Frequent window switching decreases user efficiency

Window Pinning Functionality

Exit

Difficulty in exiting full-screen applications

Height adaptation

and sufficient guidance prompts

Key Solution 1: Enter

Increase Split Screen Productivity in the Classroom

100% of teachers failed through user testing are related to enter split-screen mode. The main problem is that our operation perception is weak and it is difficult to trigger. Secondly, the operation hot zone is too small and the operation is difficult.

Balancing Prompt's impact on users and the conveyance of information, we conducted tests on the way information is presented and the placement of pop-up windows.

Add Split-Screen in Menu Bar

Iteration

Offering both 2-monitor and 4-monitor layouts, this functionality caters to diverse user preferences and maximizes customization options.

Adding an intelligent split-screen recommendation feature, ensuring seamless multitasking and optimal workflow efficiency

I explored more than 8 schemes with different gestures and locations and finally narrowed down to 3 options. We tested them 5 users with balancing perception, bothering and tolerance to determine our final solution.

Quickly split-screen with gestures

Option 1

Centralized Operation

Divide the screen into thirds, and when users drag windows to the corresponding area, prompts for the respective split-screen buttons will appear. Users can quickly switch windows to full screen, half screen, or quarter screen

Pros:

The operation area is relatively concentrated, making it easy for users to operate on screens of 68 inches or larger.

Divide the operation area to reduce information clutter.

Cons:

High probability of triggering, with no clear distinction from the demand to move windows, which may interfere with user operations

Option 2

Decentralized Operation

Option 2.1

The display area equals the trigger area

Pros:

Reduce interference with user operations by triggering the split-screen function when users drag in the corresponding area

Cons:

There are visual blind spots in all four corners, resulting in low trigger probabilities.

Simultaneously triggering multiple functions causes visual distraction

Option 2.2

✅

The display area is larger than the trigger area.

Pros:

Distinguish between the display area and the trigger area to enhance users' perception of functionality while minimizing operational interference. The split-screen function and operations will only be executed when the user is in the operational area.

Cons:

When the screen is large, the distance between the left and right operational areas is considerable, requiring physical movement and making operations difficult

Key Solution 2: Switch

Organize Priority by Pining your Window on Top

When users are dealing with multitasking, they often need to switch between windows frequently, especially when playing videos and presenting class notes. This can disrupt the teaching flow and distract students' attention. Therefore, we provide a "pinning" feature to assist teachers in managing windows more flexibly and efficiently, ensuring a smooth teaching process.

Adding the "pinning" feature is placed in the window control function area - Menu bar

Key Solution 3: Exit

Improve Full-Screen Operation

with Enhanced Information and Gestures

90% of customers failed through user testing are related to confusing control windows, restricting operating height, and low efficiency. So I attempted to solve these problems using different ways, like a customized Popup guide, change the menu bar position, and gestures for teachers to support efficiently.

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to see window menu bar

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Create a customized Pop-up guide info for users

To reducing learning curve, we decided to add a Pop-up guide to learn when users enter the Full-screen mode.

The following is my exploration of the content and location of the prompt pop-up box. Through user testing,
I came to the following conclusions:

Content

Test the content and positioning of pop-ups, and evaluate user perception, interference, and fault tolerance towards the viewpoint. Ultimately, decide that a popup with customized placed in the center better satisfies user needs

- Weak interference

- Overlook or miss

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Tips

Text only

- High interference

- High prompt

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menu bar

Tips

Text + Animation

- Weak interference

- Medium prompt (customized)

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to see window menu bar

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Text + Animation + Customize

✅

Visible viewpoint

Optimal viewport

*Operator's viewpoint

Position

- High perception

- Operable

✅

Medium

- Medium perception

- Low operability

Right

- Low perception

- Operable

Bottom

Customize the menu bar

To solve the limitation of imposed by the height of large-screen devices, we are exploring options to address it by offering customized menu bar.

Though user testing to affirm user acceptance and usability in this scenario. And got plenty of positive feedback from users.

We are attempting to provide gesture controls for a more intuitive and natural user experience. We conducted a research and user testing to meet user’s needs.

Though evaluating usage frequency and accidental touches

1.Give them real-time feedback

2.Use dragging distance as a trigger mechanism to reduce accidental touches.

Wipe up to exit full-screen

Let's get in touch

Contact

📧 fankaidi.design@outlook.com

Know more

🔗 Resume

🔗 Linkedln