Engaging learners with in-text media
I designed a more accessible learning experience for diverse learners through responsive layouts, multimodal learning principles, and WCAG-compliant accessibility features.
Overview
The problem:
Students frequently left the Soomo platform to search for additional context, examples, or supporting materials. This context switching can interrupt focus, reduce retention, and create a fragmented learning experience.
We needed a way for instructors to provide relevant media directly within course content while ensuring the experience remained accessible and easy to use.
The success criteria:
Instructors being able to leave notes and link relevant material within the webtext in an intuitive and accessible way across multiple device sizes
Ensuring designs complied with WCAG standards
Increasing student retention rate on the Soomo platform
Design Approach
Soomo already had an established design system, allowing me to focus on workflow and usability rather than creating new UI patterns.
V1: MVP
The initial solution focused on a single core action: allowing instructors to highlight text and attach supplemental media.
Iterations
Testing revealed that linking media required more steps than originally thought. Users needed clearer guidance throughout the process.
I redesigned the workflow to:
Break complex actions into manageable steps
Improve visibility of system status
Create a more intuitive progression from selection to publishing
The desktop version of the MVP
The results
I designed a solution that satisfied the three main user groups I was targeting for this MVP: students, instructors, and the business itself, Soomo Learning.
Improved Learning Experience
Reduced context switching
Increased focus and attention retention
Added real-world context directly within course materials
Accessibility & Inclusion
Supported multiple learning modalities through audio, visual, and interactive media
Aligned with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles
Business Outcomes
Increased opportunities for platform retention
Introduced a competitive feature while maintaining a simple user experience
