Designing a communication app for school staff and parents

Harsh Shah

1

UX Designer

Product Designer

Figma

ProtoPie

In an era where information is at our fingertips, why should communication between schools and parents be any different? Imagine a parent missing their child’s first stage performance because they didn’t receive the notice in time, or a teacher overwhelmed with outdated methods like paper notes and phone calls to keep parents informed. These gaps not only create frustration but also hinder a child’s educational experience.
Project Overview:
To tackle this challenge, I embarked on designing an intuitive communication app that connects school staff and parents seamlessly. My goal was simple yet impactful: enhance the flow of vital information—ranging from academic progress and attendance to upcoming events—thereby fostering a collaborative environment for the student’s success.
Understanding the problem
Through my research, I uncovered several pain points faced by parents:
1. Delayed Information: Crucial updates often arrive too late, causing missed opportunities.
2. Feeling Disconnected: Limited involvement in school activities due to sporadic communication.
3. Inefficient Channels: Reliance on newsletters or notes that may not reach home.
4. Incomplete Information: Gaps in communication leading to misunderstandings.
My Approach
To create a solution that truly addresses these issues, we focused on the needs of all stakeholders:
School Administrators
Teachers
Parents
I conducted extensive secondary research to delve deeper into:
• The effectiveness of current communication methods.
• The administrative load on teachers regarding parent communication.
• The types of information parents prioritize the most.
Key Insights from Research
Teachers spend up to 20% of their time on administrative communication tasks, which could be streamlined.
Parents desire real-time updates on their child’s academic and extracurricular activities.
Schools need a secure platform to share sensitive information without privacy concerns.
Ideation: Crafting the Solution
Based on my findings, I designed an app with core features aimed at resolving the identified challenges:
1. Real-Time Updates: Instant notifications for school announcements, assignments, and important notices.
2. Academic Progress Tracking: Access to exam results and performance analytics to monitor student growth.
3. Interactive Calendar: A unified calendar highlighting events, holidays, parent-teacher meetings, and field trips.
4. Direct Communication Channels: Secure messaging between parents and teachers for personalized interactions.
5. Feedback & Support System: An in-app feature allowing parents to provide feedback or raise concerns effortlessly.
6. Attendance Monitoring: Immediate alerts if a student is absent, promoting safety and accountability.
7. Curriculum Access: Easy viewing of class timetables and curriculum outlines for better planning.
Project Mapping
Design Highlights
User-Friendly Interface: Simplified navigation tailored for all user groups, regardless of their tech-savviness.
Secure Data Handling: Robust security measures to protect sensitive student information.
Customization Options: Allowing users to personalize notification settings and preferences.
Anticipated Impact
By implementing this app, I aim to:
Enhance Parental Engagement: Empower parents to be active participants in their child’s education.
Reduce Teacher Workload: Streamline communication tasks, allowing teachers to focus more on teaching.
Improve Student Outcomes: Foster a supportive network that contributes to student success.
Conclusion
Education is a collaborative effort between schools and families. Our communication app bridges the gap, ensuring that no vital information falls through the cracks. By leveraging technology, we create a connected community dedicated to nurturing the next generation.
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Designed a next-gen communication app that bridges the gap between schools and parents. Focused on creating an intuitive interface that fosters collaboration.

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UX Designer

Product Designer

Figma

ProtoPie

Harsh Shah

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