EduScripter: Digital Product Design

Project Overview
As a full-time graduate student at SMU, I developed EduScripter, a digital platform designed to simplify lesson planning and scripting for educators in Dallas ISD. The platform automates the creation of TEKS-aligned, word-for-word lesson scripts, helping teachers save time and improve classroom engagement. Teachers often struggle to balance lesson planning, delivery, and compliance with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards, leading to inefficiencies and burnout. EduScripter bridges this gap by transforming lesson plans into engaging, structured scripts that enhance instruction and streamline preparation.

Problem Statement
Dallas ISD teachers spend countless hours crafting lesson plans but lack the time to script those lessons effectively and consistently. This results in:
• Inefficient lesson delivery, leading to student disengagement.
• Difficulty aligning lesson scripts with TEKS standards for evaluation purposes.
• Challenges meeting expectations within the Teacher Excellence Initiative (TEI) system, which impacts career growth and retention.

EduScripter was designed to streamline lesson planning, improve classroom execution, and support teacher professional development within TEI.

Role & Collaborators

Role: Founder & Product Designer
• Conducted user research through interviews and surveys with educators.
• Designed the digital product concept and functionality, focusing on ease of use.
• Led prototype development and iteration based on educator feedback.

Collaborators:
• Dallas ISD Teachers – Provided insights into daily lesson planning challenges.
• Educational Technologists – Advised on integration with existing school systems.
• Design Team – Assisted in developing and refining the platform’s interface.

Research Approach
To understand teacher needs, the project used qualitative and quantitative research methods:
• User Interviews & Focus Groups – Gathered feedback on lesson planning pain points.
• Competitor Analysis – Studied existing lesson planning tools and their shortcomings.
• Prototype Testing – Evaluated usability and functionality through educator trials.

Key Findings:
1. Teachers struggled to translate lesson plans into effective delivery scripts.
2. Pre-made lesson plans lacked flexibility, requiring heavy modification.
3. Vocabulary and engagement strategies varied widely, leading to inconsistent instruction.
4. A streamlined tool that generates adaptable, TEKS-aligned scripts would significantly reduce planning time.

From these insights, we framed our How Might We… statement:
How might we help teachers efficiently create TEKS-aligned lesson scripts that enhance student engagement and instructional clarity?

Process & Iteration
EduScripter was developed through an iterative design process, focusing on three key phases:
1. Prototype Development: Designed an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for lesson script generation.
2. User Testing: Conducted trials with teachers, collecting feedback on functionality.
3. Iteration & Refinement: Adjusted features based on user needs and classroom dynamics.

Final Design Solution: EduScripter Platform
EduScripter is a lesson planning and scripting tool that enables teachers to:
• Instantly generate TEKS-aligned lesson scripts based on their lesson plans.
• Customize scripts with best-practice vocabulary and engagement techniques.
• Share and export scripts to collaborate with colleagues.
• Build a resource library for future lesson modifications and improvements.

Key Features:
✔ Automated script generation tailored to grade level and subject matter.
✔ Alignment with TEKS standards for streamlined compliance.
✔ Integration of best instructional practices (e.g., Teach Like a Champion strategies).
✔ Easy export and sharing options for collaborative teaching.

Impact & Key Outcomes
• Reduced lesson planning time, allowing teachers to focus on instruction.
• Enhanced classroom engagement through structured, research-based scripts.
• Increased alignment with TEKS and TEI expectations, improving teacher evaluations.
• Positive educator feedback, emphasizing time savings and improved lesson clarity.

Lessons Learned & Reflection
• Automation can significantly enhance teacher efficiency, reducing cognitive overload.
• Consistency in lesson delivery improves student comprehension and engagement.
• Teachers need flexible, adaptable tools that integrate into their existing workflow.
This project highlights my ability to apply human-centered design, UX research, and edtech innovation to solve challenges in education. It demonstrates my expertise in product design, research-driven solutions, and instructional technology—skills applicable to roles in UX, edtech, and learning experience design.