Illinois Design Consulting partnered with the Smart Healthy Communities Initiative and the University of Johannesburg to conduct research with students in South Africa. This project explored expanding the Illinois (UIUC) app made by open source platform Rokwire internationally and the possibility of implementing an e-learning degree/certificate platform in South Africa.
We started with initial research on an E-learning degree platform within the United States to meet these goals. Simultaneously, we conducted 5 interviews with Sub-Saharan African students to try to get an understanding of our future South African users. Then once we arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, we conducted a field study at the University of Johannesburg. Within that field study, we interviewed 30 students and 28 facility members. After our initial debrief and synthesis, we presented our crucial insights to the stakeholders.
To Be Continued!
We’re still going strong on the synthesis and next steps for the project. Stay tuned to learn how we impact students globally!
I never thought I would be able to visit Africa. There, I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of great students and people. In addition, I could not have asked for a more esteemed team to travel with and develop close relationships with.
It got a little intense at some points with the sheer amount of interviews within a few days, but at the end of the day, it was a great learning experience. Through our cultural immersion day, I learned about the culture in Joburg and the history of Apartheid. During the interviews, I learned about the students' lives at the University of Johannesburg and their passions.
Definitely, an experience of a lifetime, especially while being able to do something I love—putting humans first at the center of design by understanding their needs and struggles.
