M Y S A T

1
M Y S A T!

• May 2001
• A conceptual captology design by
• Nicole Cheslock, Tania Choi, Shuli Gilutz,
• Tacy Trowbridge

Design Challenge To design an interactive Palm ex
perience that motivates high school juniors to
prepare for the SAT. Time limit 10 hours/team me
mber
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MY SAT

• Persuasive Purpose
• Motivate juniors in high school to prepare for
  the SAT.
  

Industrial Design
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User Description

• 16 or 17 year old female (First born?)
• College bound
• Middle class (HHI 50,000)
• May be active in extracurricular activities like
  sports and drama
  
• May have a part time job
• Has a group of friends
• Has aggressive parents

4
MY SAT Stage 1 Bonding and Building
Another word-a-day feature thats appealing and
fun, especially in a social context using daily
jokes.
Pre-use stage The user logs on to the website,
where she can input her personal details and
customize her experience. The relevant info is
beamed to the palm.
Bonding and creating trust with the device and
chosen agent. Using the word a day feature in a
daily horoscope context.
Reduction makes it easier to manage time for
studying.
Learning words daily anywhere you go you have
them with you.
Shows the user how she uses SAT math regularly,
and how she can benefit from it I.e.
calculating training laps and calories.
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MY SAT Stage 2 Encouraging test preparation
through scheduling and information
While hanging out at the pool - waiting for her
friends to show up - Sam enters her My SAT screen
and practice some geometry problems (her weak
spot in the match section of the SAT).
At night, Sam logs into her Palm web site and
reviews the colleges that she is eligible for
based on her last practice test.
Before heading to the pool, Sam opens her Palm
and checks out her schedule for the week. My SAT
has scheduled two hours of prep time for Tuesday
and Thursday afternoons.
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MY SAT Prototype
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MY SATs Features and Functionality

• The features of MY SAT are best described in
  relation to the users experience.
  
• User has taken the PSAT, has a few colleges in
  mind and is beginning to think about the SATs.
  Features include
  
• Registration via Palm web site
• Character selection user can customize character
  to appear on screen and provide support and
  encouragement through the prep process
  
• System provides goal setting
• Inserts test and payment deadlines
• Test date is approaching
• Daily horoscopes incorporating SAT vocabulary
• Quizzes and a database of verbal and math
  equations that function as test prep. material as
  well as motivators to prep more
  
• Schedules study time
• Fosters buddy studies by setting up mutual study
  times via beaming study partners who also have
  Palms with MY SAT
  
• Provides information on school SAT
  requirements/user qualification

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Examples of Features and Functionality
Close up of Palm face

• Daily horoscope provides incentive to learn more
  and expands users SAT vocabulary
  

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Examples of Features/Functionality

• Informs user of eligibility for a range of
  colleges and universities and provides
  encouragement
  

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Theoretical Justifications

• Compliance-Gaining Strategies
• Promise using this program will improve users
  scores and help her get into college
  
• Pre-giving importing dates, customizing study
  plans
  
• Expertise
• Explanation Strategies and study tips
• Elaboration Likelihood Model
• Central route Direct strategies and information
  about the SAT
  
• Peripheral route Horoscopes, agent
• Reduction of Barriers easier to manage study
  time
  
• Social Component everybodys doing it
• Commitment in writing log in, set goals and
  establish of a study plan and schedule
  
• Feedback/Encouragement
• Progress bar
• Test results

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Key Results of User Testing

• Whats hot...
• The Palm as an expert providing user with
  information on colleges and SAT requirements
  
• Palm giving help with goal setting, scheduling
  and deadlines
  
• Palm promising higher scores
• Test taking strategies introduced on Palm with an
  opportunity to apply them later on a computer
  
• Calendar and planning features
• A cute, encouraging agent who can be turned off
  and does not get in the way
  
• Cool colors and accessories
• Palm supporting social interaction

• Andwhats not!
• Not interested the Palm recording activities such
  as calorie counting, bill splitting, or gym
  scores
  
• Too many strategies are confusing and overwhelming

• About our users...
• Five college-bound senior girls
• Two prepared for the SAT by taking a class
• Two own an SAT preparation book
• Three prepared to get higher scores
• Two found strategies more motivating than lists
  of vocabulary words
  
• Two did not feel it was important to prepare
• None currently own a Palm device

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Shortcomings of Design

• Based on user being active participant
• Requires user to use calendar/scheduling function
  of Palm
  
• Distance between the persuasive device and study
  aids may limit impact for some girls
  
• Relies on social proof so if a group decides not
  to use this tool, few of the individuals will use
  it fully. On the other hand, if a group commits
  to using it, it will be quite effective.

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Expansion - What else is possible?

• Other form factors or ID possibilities
• If technology allows use of voice interfaces to
  minimize effort in typing in on palm interface.
  
• Other features and interactions
• Creating more social interactions and activities
  group games and collaborative / competitive
  learning.
  

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Past Steps in Design Process

• Brainstorming separately in pairs (different
  techniques).
  
• Consolidation of all the ideasdesigning user
  profile, defining stages, assigning features.
  
• User testing with high-school girls.
• Iterating and finalizing design and report.

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Next Steps in Design Process

• User test features and functions with more high
  school teens for appeal and ease of use
  
• Create a prototype of the Palm SAT software
• User test
• Parents
• College Counselors
• Users
• Iterate

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MY SAT - the cool test prep. friend

• Motivates user by making preparation fun
• Influences user by making the test preparation
  process easier
  
• Informs user of test taking strategies and
  college requirements