Making learning math fun for kids

ALEKS came to frog to explore and design an intuitive, immersive, and inclusive digital math learning tool focused on K-3 to help ALEKS expand its reach and provide an end-to-end learning platform.

McGraw Hill ALEKS
15 weeks — App Design Concepts
frog Design, 2022

Challenge

When it comes to early childhood education, digital tools need to account for the nuances in physical and cognitive limitations of children in each grade, as well as their unique behaviors and underlying motivations. Because math is also a nuanced subject, it should rely on the latest research in math instruction best practices. The tool also needs to fit in seamlessly with the teacher’s curriculum and the school district's needs.

To secure key stakeholder buy-in we needed to develop a compelling narrative to confidently support the ALEKS K-5 initiative.

My Role

I was the lead visual designer in this program and collaborated in tandem with 2 interaction designers to bring our concepts to high fidelity. This included exploring multiple prototypes in multiple illustration styles and designing characters and environments.

I also participated in moderating user testing sessions and synthesizing our research.

Approach

Over the course of 12 weeks, the team applied frog’s immersive research and design approach in novel ways to better understand and design for young learners. The team relied on the input of teachers and other experts in education and child development early in the process, since it was more effective than requiring children to articulate their own learning needs and challenges.

After developing the initial concepts, however, it was critical to observe students engaging with the product firsthand. The team presented interactive prototypes to students and teachers during in-field and remote interviews. The findings from these sessions validated the concepts’ appeal to kids and prompted important design changes to make the experience more intuitive, engaging, and inclusive.

Concept 1: Math as a Connector

An avatar-based experience that focuses on social connection. Students also have a shared class environment that they can contribute to with coins they earn from lessons.

An avatar-based experience that focuses on social connection. Students also have a class environment that they can contribute to with coins they earn from lessons.

Concept 2: Math as an adventure

A narrative-based experience that focuses on individual progression. Each world features new side characters, maps, and unique ships. Students earn materials from lessons to craft items for their ship.

A narrative-based experience that focuses on individual progression. Each world features new side characters, maps and unique ships. Students earn materials from lessons to craft items for their ship.

The Outcome

Coming out of the research, the path forward felt pretty clear. We saw that the visuals from Concept 2: Adventure, resonated more with kids, however being able to design their own avatar was a table-stakes feature. Additionally, having a “class space” where students can interact with their classmates and initiate group activities would be a unique differentiator for ALEKS among its competitors.

We took these learnings to evolve Concept 2 into prototypes for grades K and 3 and showcase the features that resonated. Our designs secured stakeholder buy-in before the program was even complete. The work won additional programs for frog within McGraw Hill and the visual look and feel I established were carried through subsequent products.

Coming out of research, the path forward felt pretty clear. We saw that the visuals from our Adventure concept seemed to resonate more with kids, however being able to design their own avatar was a table stakes feature. Lastly, having a “class space” where students can interact with their classmates and initiate group activities could be a unique differentiator for ALEKS among its competitors.

Immersive & Adventurous Narratives

Students unlock new worlds as they learn math concepts, sparking their inherent curiosity and visually showcasing their math progress.

Personalized Rewards

Students earn coins through completing lessons that they can use to spend on their avatar and ship, encouraging their self expression and keeping the experience engaging throughout the year.

Instruction, Hints & Adaptive Learning

Self-paced curriculum that features problems with hints to guide students towards the right answers without giving them away.

Class Games & Social Connection

A multiplayer mode that encourages collaboration between students and provides social accountability and encouragement.