I was approached in September 2022 by the Academic Development and Student Learning department at Glasgow Caledonian University with a request to design and build an online tool to be used by undergraduate students.
The Undergraduate Learner Transition Tool was to be served via the Univeristy's Blackboard Learning system and would only be available to students while logged in.
The tool is split into three sections that detail the expected learning and development the students are to follow throughout their undergraduate programs.
The key features for inclusion were:
- Responsive Design (Mobile-friendly)
- Simple Uncluttered Design
- Interactivity
- Keyboard Navigable
- Accessible (meeting WCAG 2.1 AAA Standards)
The final solution featured colour-coding to distinguish between each section, and included icons provided by the learning department. The accordion expanding sections were triggered by either a mouse click, keyboard selection or via touch on a mobile or tablet device.
If JavaScript is not available to the user visiting the site, all the accordion sections are expanded by default.
Each panel within the accordions detail the different stages of learning and understanding that students are expected to encounter through their studies.
The accordion panel headings deepen in colour as the depth of understanding is expected to increase.
Brilliant, easy to work with, great ideas, great end result! Very happy to recommend.
