Redesigning a desktop app

JUMP Math Lesson Planner


Introduction

JUMP Math is a charitable organisation based in Canada that believes every child can achieve their full potential through an understanding and appreciation of mathematics.

One of the major projects I worked on while at JUMP Math involved analysing and redesigning their “Lesson Planner” platform.

Designed for schools using the JUMP Math method, this desktop app is aimed at maths teachers who need to plan their lessons throughout the year.


Overall, the platform was intuitive to use, but the Planner's logic, visual design and device support were major issues.

Phase 1: Research

To address these issues, a series of internal and external interviews were conducted, as well as usability tests with teachers from different schools in Canada, Spain and Chile.


Key findings in the JUMP Math Planner desktop app:

  • Planning required a relatively lengthy six-step process.
  • Planning could only be done for the entire academic year.
  • Rescheduling lessons was difficult.
  • There was no clear visual cue for overdue sessions.
  • Users could not add unplanned or multi-session lessons.
  • The typography, image sizing and colour contrast needed to be improved for projection on classroom screens.
  • Device compatibility problems on smaller screens and mobile devices also needed to be addressed.

All findings were prioritised using the MoSCoW method (Must Have, Should Have, Nice to Have) and planned accordingly for each development sprint.

Phase 2: Prototyping


1. Information Architecture:

I gathered all the feedback and defined the initial structure of the app. I tried to resolve all the process issues by focusing on the user journey first.


2. Wireflowing (wireframes + flowcharts):

I designed the new flow for the entire process. This involved reconsidering all the necessary steps and deciding what to add or remove to make things easier for the user. This flow was meticulously studied and discussed in a series of internal meetings.

Phase 3: Design

I worked closely with developers throughout the project to ensure that every implementation matched the design specifications.

To illustrate and evaluate the proposed changes, I produced wireframes and low-fidelity layouts, gathering feedback along the way.

This collaborative process let us continuously refine the design.

After several rounds of testing and iteration, I was able to show an initial proposal. Two further proposals followed, and the final one was selected for development. It comprised the layouts for the three main sections of the Planner.


Phase 4: Final product

From this foundation we built the remaining screens, sections, and subsequent iterations. At the same time, I created new components and updated existing ones within the JUMP Math Design System, which I had originally created and was maintaining.

By holding multiple meetings with all stakeholders, especially the product owner, the project manager and developers, we were able to properly prioritise the workload for each development sprint.

Conclusions


  • We removed the six-step workflow and added a Settings section where users could establish the desired planning period.
  • Teachers now had the flexibility to schedule lessons at any time, whether that was for a year, a month, a trimester, or even just a week.
  • This was added to the other existing sections: 'List' and 'Calendar'. Now, however, they are completely interconnected and synchronised.
  • Users could go back and forth and modify the time range in Settings, for example, and see the changes applied directly to the lesson list and calendar.
  • We implemented a drag and drop rescheduling that made adjusting timetables effortless.
  • Users could now edit the list and its order, and view the changes in real time.
  • Ad-hoc and multi-session lessons could be added directly within the planner.
  • Typography, image scaling and colour contrast were upgraded to meet WCAG standards, ensuring readability on projected screens.
  • A responsive layout resolved the compatibility issues on small monitors and mobile devices.

We made the user free.

These changes delivered a faster, more flexible, and visually accessible planning tool that met teachers' real-world needs.