Overview

This case study highlights a remote UX research session for D2L Brightspace focused on improving page layouts and navigation for students. The goal was to make information easier to find and help students move through the platform more smoothly.

Problem

Students need to find information quickly when using online learning platforms. During the session, some parts of the layout and navigation felt unclear, which could make it harder for students to know where to click or what to expect on a page.

Objective

The goal of the session was to better understand how students use the platform and what they expect to see when navigating through different pages. The research focused on making the experience easier, clearer, and more user-friendly.

Process

Research

The session was conducted remotely through usability testing. I was sent a link to the prototype and asked to explore different page layouts while sharing feedback along the way.

As I moved through the pages, I explained:

• what I expected to see before clicking on a page
• which layouts felt clear or confusing
• how the navigation could be improved
• which elements could easily be misunderstood

Testing

During the session, the research team observed how I interacted with the interface and asked questions about my decisions and expectations while navigating the platform.

One important takeaway was that one of the page elements could easily be confused with something else, showing how important clear labels and navigation are in educational platforms.

Reflection

This experience helped me better understand how students interact with digital learning platforms and how small design decisions can affect usability. It also showed me the importance of designing around user expectations and making information easy to find.

Conclusion

This research session showed how valuable user feedback can be during the design process. By understanding how students think and navigate, teams can create experiences that feel more clear, intuitive, and easier to use.