RollCall

4 min readJan 22, 2019

A Case Study

BRIEF

At the beginning of each new semester or school year, teachers are faced with the challenge of remembering names for a large number of new students. Design an experience to help an educator match faces to names, with the goal of shortening the time needed to reach complete un-aided accuracy.

GOALS

Minimize the time a teacher needs to remember the student’s name allowing a more personal approach.

RESEARCH

I began my journey by going through Google and seeing what I could dig up through articles and blog posts. I was pretty sure that all my questions could be answered through there.

What I learned from the internet was:

Teachers often used a visual reference to remember the student.
Teachers used a rhyming scheme to remember the name.
Teachers would have the student say their name back to them as they called out attendance. Then they would make eye contact with them to remember their face.
One even took pictures of her students.
The most common method was making a seating chart. My own teachers often did that as well and I guess it worked.

USERS

Obviously, the core user would be a teacher of some sort either a grade school teacher all the way to a university instructor. They would need something to possibly shorten the time needed to memorize a student’s name to deliver a personal approach. As teachers are becoming more tech-oriented it would make sense to allow them to have an app that was both easy and useful in their toolset.

IDEAS

Security (Passcode or pattern to keep privacy)
Due to school regulations, maybe getting a photo would be a little hard. Depending on age, maybe ask permission?
The app needs to make them learn their names, not give them a shortcut
Minimize device usage, possibly just mobile as its easier to lug around through the classroom of any size

USER FLOW

SKETCHES/WIREFRAMES

Unfortunately, I started the challenge a little late in the week, so I would have to use Invision Freehand to sketch and wireframe.

PROTOTYPE

I began the prototype by creating a logo that can represent Roll Call before you even open the app. I used a raised hand as a way to signify when a student’s name is called, they would say present as they raised their hand. I was aiming for soothing, calm colors to let the user know that even though we are going to time and score you, at least you won’t suffer from eye strain.

Then I began my way to the splash screen. I wanted a modern look to the background so when the users scrolled their way through the app, they wouldn’t see just a solid color.

Once they got passed the splash screen, they were brought to the sign up screen.

Then once they had an account set up then all the users had to do was tap on the login button then input inside 2 fields and they were good to go.

I added an optional passcode screen for added security in case the user needed that extra peace of mind.

I worked on the actual idea of the app which ultimately became an AR app to allow the user to attempt to memorize the student’s name in real time. The first step was for the user to pick their current class that they were in at the moment. Then pick an option whether to add a student, edit their info, or play RollCall.

Once the class was picked, then the options appeared

A name appeared over the student’s head then the student must pick it if it is correct.

Teacher was scored on how well their name memory was and included the problem student to remember next time.

I also included their “problem area” in case they missed a student’s name too many times. Due to my research I believe this kind of app would be helpful to any teacher in need of an aid.

I’m a UX designer and the writer behind Devil Sunrise, City of Doves, and The Exile! Although, my true passion is perching on fence posts and doing poor rooster imitations. View all posts by CireWire

Originally published at dreadedsushistudios.wordpress.com on January 22, 2019.