2020

Co_Lab Virtual Education

a virtual learning environment for the new normal

digital product design
Georgia institute of technology

01

project
introduction

The rise of the pandemic in 2020 introduced an unprecedented need for improvement in the way we work and learn remotely. The computer screen has created a barrier that destroys the sense of connectedness in the classroom, and schools have struggled to keep their students engaged.

Introducing Co_Lab, an online communications platform where students and instructors can interact naturally in a single connected space.

02

project background

97% of students have switched to online instruction.

educationdata.org
why don't we just use Zoom?
Existing models of video call technologies send every conversation to a different link or virtual space, further deepening the sense of disconnect in the online classroom.
A new model for remote video call
With our model we hope to create one connected space that enables more casual forms of interaction and seamless transition between them.
inspired by video games
Our approach was heavily inspired by video games with online communities. These pre-existing platforms have successfully created virtual spaces that allow for player interaction for years now.

02

project background

Usually I would feel responsible to say hello… but now I don’t...

3rd year Brown University student

There’s a lot of awkward silences...

1st year attending University of Chicago

I basically lost touch with everyone I wasn’t friends with...

public high school senior

Classes became pass/fail so there was no motivation to give more effort than what was needed...

Private High School Junior
Overall the interviews revealed that many students were struggling with a lack of motivation and socialization.

Socialization, when it did happen, tended to be stunted and awkward.
4 Interviews
21 Survey Participants
Generally, students felt that social interactions, specifically support networks, contributed to their personal success in a physical classroom.
With our model we hope to create one connected space that enables more casual forms of interaction and seamless transition between them.

03

final prototype

roam with your classmates
Move and interact with friends, classmates, and instructors
a space for casual conversation
Create low-barrier options to start chatting with other members of the class
invite friends into your pod
You can also invite others to join your group and chat!
transitioning to video calls
Convert your groups into a formal call with expanded video and screen sharing features.

There’s something to be said about the spatial nature of a classroom, and how that creates a community no longer present in the virtual space…

Professor Christian Castro, UW-Madison
class is starting, join lecture
When it is time for class, the classroom transitions into a mode for lectures and full group discussion.
more flexibility for instructors
Instructors can easily toggle lecture mode on and off to allow more flexible discussion.