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[Case 02]

Streamlining AI Course Material Creation for Instructors

EdTech

Simplifying Course Creation: Redesigning CorpusKey for Instructors

Empowering Professors with Intuitive Tools for AI-Generated Learning Materials

[Project Overview]

CorpusKey is an AI-powered platform designed to help instructors generate course materials such as textbooks, slide decks, and readings. However, its early design was developer-centric and difficult for educators to navigate. Our team focused on redesigning the Outline Management system, improving UX writing, and creating a one-page dashboard that made it easier for professors to manage content with fewer steps and greater clarity.

[Problem Statement]

The original platform design overwhelmed instructors with unclear terminology, fragmented workflows, and minimal guidance. Professors struggled to understand where to begin and how to trust the AI-generated output without losing creative control.

[Industry]

EdTech

[My Role]

UX Designer

[Platforms]

Desktop Web App

[Timeline]

January 2024 – May 2024

View Full Case Study

View Full Case Study

[Persona]

Dr. Sasha Bennett

University Professor in Human-Computer Interaction

I need a tool that works with my teaching flow — quick to learn, reliable, and doesn’t sacrifice academic quality.

Age: 45

Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Tech Proficiency: Moderate

Gender: Female

[Goal]

Easily create, organize, and reuse outlines for different courses

Generate materials like PPTs and docs with clarity and control

Minimize confusion and time spent navigating the platform

[Frustrations]

Misleading labels and unclear prompts (e.g., "definition")

Non-intuitive structure and too many steps

Difficult to track what content had already been created

[Process]

[01] User Research

Interviewed 8 instructors and TAs to understand content workflows

Conducted heuristic evaluations and usability testing on the live site

Referenced past team findings to iterate with continuity

[01] User Research

Interviewed 8 instructors and TAs to understand content workflows

Conducted heuristic evaluations and usability testing on the live site

Referenced past team findings to iterate with continuity

[01] User Research

Interviewed 8 instructors and TAs to understand content workflows

Conducted heuristic evaluations and usability testing on the live site

Referenced past team findings to iterate with continuity

[02] Insights

Professors wanted collaborative and customizable tools

Many were unfamiliar with AI workflows and needed contextual cues

Users preferred consistent, minimal pages that reflected classroom logic

[02] Insights

Professors wanted collaborative and customizable tools

Many were unfamiliar with AI workflows and needed contextual cues

Users preferred consistent, minimal pages that reflected classroom logic

[02] Insights

Professors wanted collaborative and customizable tools

Many were unfamiliar with AI workflows and needed contextual cues

Users preferred consistent, minimal pages that reflected classroom logic

[03 Design Solution]

Updated confusing terms to Heading 1/2/3 for content hierarchy

Built a nested outline editor with inline guidance and tooltips

Consolidated multi-step flow into a single project dashboard

[03 Design Solution]

Updated confusing terms to Heading 1/2/3 for content hierarchy

Built a nested outline editor with inline guidance and tooltips

Consolidated multi-step flow into a single project dashboard

[03 Design Solution]

Updated confusing terms to Heading 1/2/3 for content hierarchy

Built a nested outline editor with inline guidance and tooltips

Consolidated multi-step flow into a single project dashboard

[04] Testing & Iteration

Ran usability tests with 5 EPICS graduate TAs using task flows

Card sorting validated our redesigned information architecture

Love/breakup letters gave honest feedback to refine interaction design and tone

[04] Testing & Iteration

Ran usability tests with 5 EPICS graduate TAs using task flows

Card sorting validated our redesigned information architecture

Love/breakup letters gave honest feedback to refine interaction design and tone

[04] Testing & Iteration

Ran usability tests with 5 EPICS graduate TAs using task flows

Card sorting validated our redesigned information architecture

Love/breakup letters gave honest feedback to refine interaction design and tone

[Outcome]

Reduced content creation friction, with 30% faster outline generation time
80% of instructors found the dashboard easier and more intuitive
Improved clarity in UX writing and visual hierarchy was positively received

[Key Learnings]

Language matters in learning tools

Replacing abstract terms with academic-friendly labels improved trust and comprehension.

Language matters in learning tools

Replacing abstract terms with academic-friendly labels improved trust and comprehension.

Language matters in learning tools

Replacing abstract terms with academic-friendly labels improved trust and comprehension.

All-in-one views reduce overwhelm

Professors preferred having upload, queue, and generation in one dashboard.

All-in-one views reduce overwhelm

Professors preferred having upload, queue, and generation in one dashboard.

All-in-one views reduce overwhelm

Professors preferred having upload, queue, and generation in one dashboard.

Micro-interactions guide confidence

Tooltip help, error states, and meaningful feedback made the tool feel more responsive and reliable.

Micro-interactions guide confidence

Tooltip help, error states, and meaningful feedback made the tool feel more responsive and reliable.

Micro-interactions guide confidence

Tooltip help, error states, and meaningful feedback made the tool feel more responsive and reliable.

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