Combo

Problem Statement

Embarking on higher education marks a significant transition into adulthood for many young individuals and presents them with a variety of challenges. To adapt to this transition, students must develop new skills. For some of them this can be more challenging than others; a reality that may contribute to the high dropout rates in the first year of study. Therefore, it is crucial to design interventions that support a diverse student body on the path of academic and social integration. However, in German-speaking countries, there are only a few approaches to address this issue, which are known as onboarding processes.

Idea and Concept

Based on findings of educational research and the assessment of students‘ needs from a human-centered design perspective, a digital onboarding concept was developed for the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences in Gelsenkirchen. The resulting prototypical mobile app „Combo“ is intended to serve as a digital companion, combining all necessary information and providing guidance for the initial stage of integration and beyond. This includes for example essential knowledge, such as the utilization of university services, contact points, and requirements for fostering autonomous learning. Additionally, the app aims to empower students to proactively manage their studies through features like to-do lists, a calendar, and the ability to connect with peers through a chat function.

Implementation

To initially evaluate the overall concept and the presentation of the gathered information, a low-fidelity prototype was created using Figma. Subsequently, an interactive, high-fidelity prototype was developed using the cross-platform framework Flutter and the Visual Studio Code development environment. Tailored to align with students’ language and their consumer behavior in relation to information, a social media-like experience was crafted. The created content is organized in smaller information categories and enhanced with search and bookmark functions for easy and on-demand usage. Attuned to their individual needs, students can personalize the layout and receive the degree of guidance they prefer.