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I Inspire...
PUBLICATIONS
I've had the fortune to learn from some great practitioners, and believe in sharing that forward through articles, blog posts, interviews, podcasts, and presentations. We make our field stronger by inspiring others to also do good, meaningful work.
Focus on Usage Maturity, Part I
Jan 14, 2020 Boxes and Arrows
I’m always cautious about defining the “typical user” for any of the digital or physical products I work on. My UX research has included work on business processes, websites, services, software platforms, digital games, physical products, and physical properties. I prefer to use a usage maturity matrix and design to meet the range of functional priorities of our users.
Focus on Usage Maturity, Part II
Apr 20, 2020 Boxes and Arrows
If we want users to remain our users, we ought to entice them deeper into our design ecosystem. Attempts to extend or expand users’ usage, frequently results in designs complicated by added features, and functions.
How Important is UX Research in EdTech Development?
July 27, 2020 UX of EdTech (podcast)
How important are the research phases of UX and product development? Alicia connects with Alesha Arp, a Senior UX Research at MIND Research Institute. MIND is an EdTech math organization supporting K12 students and educators. They chat about the role of research in developing educational technology products.
What Does the User Interface Tell You About the Learning Value of a Game?
Apr 28, 2020 The Learning Counsel
The user interface is more than just the skin that allows us to interact with an educational game. It can also be a window into that game’s learning value.
Redesigning the New ST Math to Drive Actionable Data
Apr 14, 2020 MIND Research Institute
When we first set out to redesign the new ST Math, it was important to our team at MIND Research Institute that we optimized the teacher experience. And as a Senior User Experience Researcher, it was important to me that we provided actionable data quickly so that teachers like my dad or sisters have what they need at their fingertips.
5 questions to ask before using ed tech in class
Feb 14, 2020 District Administration
Determining if games deliver not just fun—but learning through productive struggle
Designing Data to be Actionable
Feb 13, 2020 MIND Research Institute
It seems to me that the value of data is in how it’s used. At MIND Research Institute, we use data to drive decisions on a daily basis. Internally, we monitor student success data and make program adjustments in response to that data.
Interview by ProjectUX: Inside Big Design Studio
Sept 14, 2019 Project UX
Alesha is interviewed during Big Design conference 2019 and talks about designing for everyone
Fidelity Through Thoughtful and Strategic Implementation
Aug 20, 2019 Project UX
In the past six months alone I’ve logged over 20,000 flight miles visiting ST Math® schools around the country, and I’ve seen a lot. Everywhere I go, I see teachers and students embracing and learning with ST Math.
Apr 04, 2019 The IA Studio
The IA studio interview with Alesha Arp at Information Architecture Conference 2019 in Orlando
Panel Discussion with Inclusive Learning Network
Nov 12, 2018 Inclusive Learning Network
Alesha Arp's presentation for the ISTE Inclusive Learning Network on World Usability Day 2018 (November 8th, 2018). Alesha discusses the differences between dark and gray design
Conceptual Understanding vs. Procedural Fluency
Nov 06, 2018 MIND Research Institute
At MIND, deep conceptual learning is as common a topic of conversation as it is in schools. While basic procedural skills like counting and computation are critical, they are just the tip of the iceberg.
How User Feedback Helps Shape ST Math Updates
Jul 24, 2018 MIND Research Institute
At MIND Research Institute (MIND), we have processes to respond, seek out, evaluate and integrate feedback. Before collecting feedback, we start by putting ourselves in the users’ shoes.
Struggle is a Matter of Perspective
Apr 03, 2018 MIND Research Institute
Sometimes struggle is by-design.
Gaining Commitment to User Centered Design Guidelines
May 22, 2017 UX Matters
Some thoughts on design guidelines. "The project team helped develop the guidelines, so they were already committed to them."
The Three R’s of Regional UX Research: Roadblocks, Relevance, and Rewards
Jul 26, 2016 UX Matters
Understanding regional differences can help ensure we are designing for all of our users.
Perception and Regionalism Influence User Satisfaction
Jun 22, 2015 UX Matters with Scott Ryan-Hart
There is a direct correlation between users’ perceptions of a technology’s capabilities and their satisfaction with that technology. When user expectations exceed those capabilities, user satisfaction suffers.