Tapgo
Learning System
Design Intent
The system that encourages positive classroom behavior, and makes staying on task fun.
Topic Area
I am exploring how lessons are taught in elementary schools, with a focus on behavior and student engagement.
Behavioral challenges are one of the most significant issues faced by teachers.
The next step was to perform field interviews establish and establish pain points.
Interviews and Findings
9 Interviews ranging between classroom teachers, school counselors, related arts teachers etc.
So what does this data mean? It all came back to interaction. Each teacher I interviewed shared that the key to a successful lesson was creating interactive activities to go with their teachings. Positive reinforcement was also highlighted as one of the most important aspects of teaching.
Opportunities
I planned to create a system of products that rewards, encourages interaction and monitors behavior. Focusing on positive reinforcement rather than punishment, and managing behavior will help keep kids on task.
How can teachers successfully present a lesson if the class is off task?
Defining Success
The Vision
Ideation
I tested a wide range of themes and interaction methods. I tried to think of creative ways to interact with the lesson such as buttons, dials and sliders.
Stakeholders
Samantha; Teacher
-Teaching style is modern and focuses on positive reinforcement
-Motivated to encourage positive behavior
-Challenges include managing behavior and keeping students motivated.
Jake; 3rd Grade Student
-Learning style is independent/ interactive
-Motivated by good grades and teacher approval
-Challenges include understanding written material and distraction from other students
Ryan; 2nd Grade Student
-Learning style is hands on through small groups
-Motivated by recess and games or rewards
-Challenges include staying focused and completing tasks without redirection.
Survey
26 Survey Participants
Preschool–5th grade, including general education teachers, subject teachers, intervention specialists, counselors, aides, and English learner support staff.
Questions asked for Individual Concept
Which concept would you be most likely to integrate into your teaching?
Why?
Which concept would you be least likely to integrate into your teaching?
Why?
Questions asked for Storyboards
What do you like and what do you dislike about this process?
Would you consider integrating this process into your
teaching?
Whimsical. Friendly.
Establishing Brand Language
The system that encourages positive classroom behavior, and makes staying on task fun.
Each student has a desk buddy. Customizable to reflect their unique personality. Encourage class engagement with the cold call feature, or gain whole class feedback with the easy touch buttons.
Cold Call Feature
Buttons
Customizable
In the teacher’s hand is the recognition wand…
Clearly Communicate Feedback
Tap student’s desk buddy to acknowledge good behavior.
Each tap sends a signal to the reward chart, where the class’s progress comes to life.
These small moments add up.
As the class earns more taps, tokens hidden inside are dropped to fill up the chart gradually.
The more behaved class is, the faster the chart fills. And when it reaches the top, the entire class earns a reward.
It's simple, fun, and reinforces the idea that all students play a part.
Feedback from Teachers
“This is a really unique classroom management idea! I appreciate that, in contrast with apps like Class Dojo, this feedback can be more discreet to avoid embarrassment and has other engagement functions like the answer and light-up buttons!”
Emily; 2nd Grade Teacher“The customizable "Desk Buddy" element is especially impressive, it’s a creative, low-stakes way to give students meaningful choice.”
Krista; 3rd Grade“Giving teachers the ability to notice good behavior and give that feedback to the student and it is automatically sent to the whole class tracker even from across the room allows teachers to keep lessons moving supporting time management which is so important.”
Laura; Reading Specialist“I also like that the reinforcement tokens are earned on a whole class level. This encourages group collaboration and community rather than prioritizing individual praise and rewards.”
Erin; Librarian