Instructional Software Lesson Plan

Lesson topic: Empathy Map Creation for Adult Learners

UX research is all about understanding the intended user(s) to help create or modify an existing product to meet their needs in order for that product to be successful. One of the primary tools that is used in the UX research field is the creation of an empathy map. These charts are created in a visualization format to get a better understanding of the thoughts of the user(s).

The purpose of this lesson plan is for adult students to understand what empathy maps are, and how to create one using the digital application Lucidchart. Understanding what is required during the empathy map creation process is important for future researchers, as it will assist them in preparations of other areas of research such as observations and interviews.

Students will also be required to create a new Google doc that will showcase your empathy map created in Lucidchart, and write a reflection answering the prompts listed in the instructions below.

Learning Objectives:

Students will:

        • Understand the purpose of empathy maps and will be able to explain what they are used for.
        • Be able to create an empathy map using the digital application Lucidchart.
        • Be able to reflect on the empathy map creation process and how it can be applied into UX research.


Materials:

        • Computer, laptop, or other mobile device(s).
        • Reliable internet connection and internet browser.
        • Student gmail account with access to G suite applications, and LucidChart.


Drill and Practice:


Tutorials:


Problem Solving Software:


Simulation:


Instructions:

It may seem strange to study and learn how to create empathy maps without having done research on a specific user base. The reason for this is because it is important to understand what is required to create an empathy map. In future lesson plans will explore how to research observations and creating interview question guides. By understanding the empathy map creation process it will help make those processes easier and more successful for beginner students.

Start

  1. Students will need to make up a user for this lesson plan. Nothing too technical. For example, “a user is an internet subscriber” -Example
  2. Have students log into their student account. This will automatically log them into all Google applications and Lucidchart.
  3. Students will need to read/watch and review all materials required.


Stage 2 -Empathy Maps

  1. Students will review all materials for empathy maps.
  2. Students will watch How to Empathy Map tutorial.


Stage 3- Lucidchart

  1. Students will review all Lucidchart materials.
  2. Students will create their own Lucidchart following along with Lucidchart Tutorial.
  3. Students will begin to create their empathy, or they may use a Lucidchart template found in Empathy Maps.
  4. Students will save their empathy maps, and integrate them into their student Google drive following the tutorial Sync Lucidchart with Google Drive.


Stage 4 - Google Docs

  1. Students will create a new Google Doc. Students can watch this Google Doc Tutorial if they need a refresher.
  2. Students will name the document "your name Empathy Map".
  3. Students will insert their empathy map into their document.
  4. Students will then be required to write a reflection of the empathy map lesson plan by answering the following prompts:
      • What or who is your intended user?
      • Did anything surprise you about the empathy map process? Explain.
      • Do you think empathy maps are useful in research? Why or why not?
      • What skills do you think are needed to create a successful empathy map?
      • What stage of the empathy map process did you find to be the most difficult? Explain.
      • Can you think of any negatives with using an empathy map? Explain.


End

  1. Students will make Google Doc shareable.
  2. Students will submit shareable URL for evaluation.