Zoom feature improvement for better collaboration
Overview
With Covid-19, we’re experiencing a paradigm shift in the way we, learn work, and collaborate. Zoom has been working on supporting the surge of myriad usage including online learning and working.
Project goal
As a continuation of this effort, I am enhancing the whiteboard feature to support virtual collaborative environments and outcomes.
Role
UX, UI, research and
usability testing.
Timeline
Two weeks, 40+hours.
Tools
Figma and Maze
Prototype
Click here to view
Problem statement
How might we create a collaborative virtual classroom for all to increase student engagement and learning?
Source: Zoom.us
The challenge
When Covid-19 emerged, friends in education, as well as myself, expressed the challenges faced with shifting the classroom setting and student engagement.
I began using external whiteboard tools at the time for other projects and thought it would be helpful if Zoom had an integrated whiteboard feature for ease and accelerated access to collaboration with students.
I later was surprised to find that there is an existing built-in Zoom whiteboard. The feature was not apparent and located inside another feature.
I identified potential user and business goals to focus on throughout the project.
Research
My assumptions
Most Zoom users are not aware of the whiteboard feature, because it’s hidden.
Having an integrated whiteboard feature could improve online collaboration.
Market research
To find the strengths and weaknesses of Zoom’s competitors and compare features, I did a competitive analysis reviewing their top four competitors. In conjunction with reviewing discussions on product review sites.
This allowed me to discover:
What are they doing? Is a whiteboard feature a trend on such platforms?
How are they doing it? The functionality of the whiteboard feature basic or advanced
(if it exists) and what are the differences?
What users liked, disliked, and overall satisfaction.
Users’ needs for provisional personas.
Market research findings
Majority of widely used video conferencing software has an integrated whiteboard.
Majority did not have an advanced whiteboard, only basic functionality.
I used online discussion boards and forums to gather information on what were some of the needs and pains in using Zoom from teachers on using Zoom for online teaching and users who collaborate with others during their call.
“The only thing it lacks (unless I've missed it) is an interactive whiteboard.”
online teacher
“This is perfect for teaching my high schoolers online. It also works well for faculty meetings. It would be nice to add a whiteboard.”
English teacher
Did you know Zoom has a whiteboard?
I sent out a survey to find out how many people use digital whiteboards, online collaboration tools and how aware are Zoom users of the whiteboard?
Results from survey.
Ideate
I examined Zoom’s existing whiteboard feature and learned it did not have the tools to support a collaboration session nor creating a MindMap for a brainstorming session.
To better understand the concept model, process, and tools to achieve the goal of creating a MindMap, I reviewed three external whiteboards with advanced collaboration tools: Miro, Whimsical, and Mural. Utilizing the research and goals to inform my design decisions I began sketching a feature to the existing Zoom whiteboard that would provide peers and teams with additional tools for collaborative sessions.
“The ‘chat board’ feature provides additional advanced tools for collaboration needs. I placed the new tools inside this feature to avoid cognitive overload and crowding of too many functionalities on one toolbar. “
I sketched the process of using an additional feature, ‘chat board’ for opening a MindMap template, inviting others to collaborate.
Design, prototype then test
Iterations made after user testing with 11 participants in Maze.
Usability test findings
60% success rate in completing the Mind Map task.
Majority were confused by the chat board label and what the feature does.
Iterate and retest
I researched common patterns in similar tools. Updated the icon and added a label to help clarify its functionality.
Results from final round of usability testing
Majority of participants clicked on the collaborate icon to get to the Mind Map template.
Not all participants were clear about the functionality of the new icon.
Zoom prototype with feature improvement
Lessons learned
How do we form an appropriate conceptual model for the devices we interact with? -Don Norman
This question Norman posed, challenged me to think further as I introduced a new feature to an existing feature.
I learned that new concepts can always be developed for product improvement or other goals. However, it’s important to research how that fits in or disrupts users’ mental models.
If I had more time, I would do qualitative research to further validate the solution, and better understand what resonates with users as a collaboration icon that’s more appropriate and coherent.