Supervisor Feedback Blog
CST3990 UG Project Blog
Guided by Expertise: How Supervisor Feedback Shaped TechHive’s Ethical, User-Centered Journey
Introduction
“Designing an AI-driven EdTech tool is a marathon, not a sprint — and having a seasoned supervisor to navigate the twists and turns is invaluable. This post reflects on how Ma’am Arundhati Basu’s guidance helped pivot TechHive from a coding-heavy prototype to a rigorous, user-centered UI/UX research project, balancing academic rigor with real-world impact.”
Timeline of Feedback & Actions
Weeks 1–5: Pivoting to UI/UX Research
Supervisor’s Advice:
- “Shift focus from technical development to UI/UX research. Prioritize inclusivity and ethical AI over coding.”
My Action:
- Revised project proposal to centre on AI transparency and adaptive design.
- Began literature review on inclusive EdTech (Brown, 2020) and explainable AI (Amershi et al., 2019).
Impact:
- Grounded TechHive in academic frameworks, not just code.
Week 6: Ethics Finalization
Supervisor’s Advice:
- “Complete ethics form with GDPR compliance and UNESCO’s AI guidelines.”
My Action:
- Added anonymized data collection methods.
- Justified participant demographics (e.g., neurodiverse learners).
Impact:
- Ethical approval secured, ensuring trustworthy research.
Week 7: Competitive Analysis & Interviews
Supervisor’s Advice:
- “Benchmark against Coursera/Khan Academy. Interview real users to validate gaps.”
My Action:
- Mapped UX flaws in top platforms (static pathways, cluttered dashboards).
- Surveyed 138 users, interviewed 5 participants.
Key Insight:
- “82% of users wanted modular lessons — TechHive’s drag-and-drop builder was born.”
Week 8: Independent Survey Work
Context:
- No meeting due to supervisor’s schedule.
My Action:
- Launched Google Forms survey independently.
- Analysed 138 responses to prioritize features (AI tutor, focus modes).
Challenge:
- Balancing Eid preparations with data analysis.
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Week 9: Data Synthesis with Double Diamond
Supervisor’s Advice:
- “Use the Double Diamond framework for personas and journey mapping.”
My Action:
- Created Emma (neurodivergent student) and David (international teacher).
- Mapped their pain points (e.g., sensory overload, time constraints).
Outcome:
- Defined TechHive’s core features: AI summaries, customizable pathways.
Weeks 10–12: Solo Sprint to the Finish
Context:
- No meetings due to Eid-ul-Fitr and supervisor’s schedule.
My Action:
- Week 10: Built low/mid-fi Figma prototypes (adaptive dashboards, focus modes).
- Week 11: High-fi prototyping with WCAG 2.1 compliance checks.
- Week 12: Finalized report, slides, and AI-narrated video.
Challenges:
- Juggling Eid celebrations with VIVA prep.
- First-time video editing (Wondershare Filmora’s AI tools saved the day!).
Key Takeaways from Supervisor Guidance
- User-Centered > Code-Centric:
- “TechHive’s value isn’t in its codebase but in its empathy for learners like Emma.”
2. Ethics as Foundation:
- “UNESCO’s guidelines aren’t optional — they’re your design blueprint.”
3. Iterate Relentlessly:
- “Peer feedback isn’t criticism — it’s free UX testing.”
Final Outcome
TechHive Prototype:
- AI tutor with “Why this suggestion?” tooltips.
- WCAG-compliant UI (dyslexia fonts, contrast checks).
- Multilingual summaries for global educators like David.
Deliverables:
- 80-page report, 9-slide deck, 7-minute video.
Acknowledgments
“To Ma’am Arundhati Basu: Thank you for steering me toward ethical, human-centered design — even when it meant scrapping weeks of work. TechHive isn’t just my project; it’s a testament to your belief that good design starts with listening.”
Final Note
“TechHive’s journey wasn’t linear, but with expert guidance and stubborn optimism, even Eid holidays and coding roadblocks couldn’t derail it. For fellow students: Trust the process, and your supervisor!”
Engagement Question
“How has supervisor feedback shaped your projects? Share your stories of pivot and growth!”
