Hello World!

Inspiration

Our project was inspired by a conversation about the struggles of a friend with dyslexia to learn and the lack of inclusive resources in the field of computer science. Despite advances in technology and education to accommodate learners with dyslexia, the STEM and tech fields continue to lag behind in providing inclusive learning platforms. This led us to the idea of creating an app that promotes equity and inclusivity in these industries, fueled by the impactful keynote address by Dr. Kristin Austin.

What it does

Our app is designed to empower dyslexic kids to learn the basics of coding. The journey begins with a login page and a quick survey to assess the user's weekly study schedule. From there, they are taken to the lesson page where they can start their first lesson. Each lesson features a fun, interactive module that guides the user step-by-step, followed by a brief summary and a quiz to reinforce their understanding. Additionally, the profile page provides a snapshot of the user's progress, current lesson, and other key information. To stay on track and monitor their growth, users can also access the calendar page.

How we built it

Hello World is a UI-centric app that leverages the power of Figma and its built-in features to deliver an experience that is optimized for dyslexic users. We meticulously researched the best practices for UI/UX design for individuals with dyslexia and incorporated these principles into every aspect of the app, from the color scheme and font choice to the way information is presented, with the use of underlining, high contrast colors, and clear text blocks.

Challenges we ran into

One of the most significant challenges we ran into was incorporating speech/audio within our app. As an app targeted to those with dyslexia, we wanted to incorporate an aspect of our app that read instructions or other text to users along with allowing users to input their own audio as this would increase the accessibility of our app. Although we implemented icons within our app that represented this feature, we ran into challenges using audio plug-ins for Figma creating a connection with Anima, which is often used to help make Figma prototypes more interactive.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

My group and I placed a strong emphasis on accessibility and equity in the technology industry. As such, we take pride in our thorough research on dyslexia and the appropriate digital resources and approaches necessary to accommodate those with dyslexia, particularly in educational settings. Additionally, we are proud of our newfound proficiency in Figma, as all of our team excels using this software.

What we learned

We gained proficiency in navigating Figma, a valuable UI software that helps in the planning and design of apps for real-world implementation, through workshops and taking advantage of online resources. On a behavioral front, our team honed our teamwork and communication skills. For example, despite encountering several challenges during the app-development process, we effectively utilized open communication to tackle the issues and arrive at innovative solutions. Furthermore, we learned how to create innovative solutions to real-life problems affecting individuals by utilizing upon each other’s diverse perspectives and experiences.

What's next for Hello World!

Advancing the development of Hello World! requires taking crucial steps, such as implementing text-to-speech software to aid dyslexic individuals in comprehending instructions. Additionally, it is essential to create more comprehensive lesson plans and expand the range of programming languages covered. Moreover, it is crucial to recognize the importance of visual stimulation in the learning process for individuals with dyslexia. Incorporating more visual aids, such as mind maps and interactive elements like sliding and moving elements, is a significant consideration to enhance their learning experience.