Assessing the implementation of authentic, client‐facing student projects in user experience (UX) education: Insights from multiple stakeholders

Abstract

User experience (UX) is often cited as one of the fastest growing occupations, creating opportunities across nearly every sector for individuals skilled in the application of user-centered design principles and methods. Many information and library schools have responded to this demand by introducing more UX coursework into their curriculum, but the proliferation of agile software development and lean product design has incentivized organizations to look for experienced individuals for UX roles, even those that are considered entry-level. As a result, aspiring information professionals face a paradoxical situation in which they are required to have UX experience before they can gain UX experience. This article provides an assessment of one institution's efforts to overcome this experience gap by offering opportunities for students to participate in three types of authentic clientfacing UX projects. Through surveys of students and clients served over four academic years, we provide a set of lessons learned and recommended best practices for incorporating project-based learning opportunities into UX courses.

Experiential Learning to Teach User Experience in Higher Education in Past 20 Years: A Scoping Review

“…They showed positive attitude toward creating accessible software (El-Glaly et al, 2020) and understood the implications of inaccessibility (Shinohara et al, 2016). Fifth, students reported to become more marketable to employers, developed a professional identity, and feel prepared for their long-term career goals (n = 4) (MacDonald and Rozaklis, 2017;Talone et al, 2017;Kabakova et al, 2021).…”

Process Evaluation for Diversified Academic Assessment Mechanism in Higher Education Institutions by Use of Data Mining

“…Both test methods allow partial credit but only IFAT® provides students with immediate feedback on their responses. MacDonald and Rozaklis [21] evaluated an institution's efforts to overcome this experience gap by providing students with opportunities to participate in three authentic user experience client projects. Surveys of students and clients over four academic years provided a set of lessons learned and recommended practices for incorporating project-based learning opportunities into UX curricula.…”