Incorporating design thinking process in redesigning the existing student performance monitoring mobile application

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of mobile technology and the increasing popularity of smartphones, mobile applications have become an integral part of modern life. The success of a mobile application is no longer solely dependent on its features and functionalities; instead, usability has emerged as a critical quality dimension that significantly impacts user satisfaction and adoption rates. Multiple domains have gained benefits from the usage of mobile applications such as education, logistics, transportation, and security sector. Apart from these domains higher educational institutes such as universities use mobile applications for educational purposes. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ), Sri Lanka has implemented a performance evaluation system for students, alongside the introduction of a mobile application aimed at enhancing mobility, efficiency, and user engagement through effective interfaces. However, during usability testing, the mobile application exhibited significant usability issues, including readability challenges, a lack of trending gamification features, and an absence of notification pop-ups. This concept paper examines the issues of existing mobile applications and demonstrates the significance of the design thinking process in the redesign of the mobile application for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. By employing user-centric methodologies, involving users, and integrating trending features, the mobile application's usability was substantially improved. The concept paper provides valuable insights and practical guidelines for educational institutions seeking to leverage design thinking to enhance their mobile application's usability, user engagement, and overall effectiveness.