The Libraries’ UX Internship provides students an opportunity to learn and practice user research methods in the Fall semester and then use what they’ve learned in the Spring to complete an independent project.
This year’s Interns have learned so far the importance of articulating good research questions and how to create a Research Plan; they’ve practiced web usability facilitation, and created an empathy map for what first year Swarthmore students may say, think, do, and feel:
After fall break, they’ll practice interview facilitation skills to get initial feedback on a new interface for Tripod, facilitate a card sorting session, look at website analytics, and analyze research results.
Additionally, a panel of Swarthmore alumni who work in UX will visit in November – an event co-sponsored by Swarthmore’s Career Center, Swarthmore Be Well, and the Libraries. It’s open to all – join us on November 7 at 1:30 pm in the McCabe Library LibLab!
In former years, spring semester independent projects were limited to library related studies, but this year, the possibilities are open, allowing interns freedom to research a usability issue closely aligned with their interests, whether researching library spaces, online properties and services, or something completely different.
Independent project proposals include researching:
- The usability of the college’s shuttle service application
- Study space on campus: what makes particular campus spots good for academic work and why? How do particular library spaces contribute to filling this need?
- The effectiveness of all campus emails and possible alternatives
- An better way for mensurating people and Environmental Services staff to responsibly and more easily dispose of menstrual products in college bathrooms
- Usability of a Libraries’ website prototype oriented to outreach and marketing (confirming Tripod as the destination for research related information.)
- Usability issues for the Media Center’s large poster printer: is there a more intuitive pathway toward successful poster printing?
- The effects of changed furniture configuration for a specific space in McCabe Library. Will moving things around result in a space being inhabited more regularly?
I’m so eager to see this work unfold. Stay tuned for updates!