Creating a Persona for Online Learning - Zahra's Journey

This project involves the creation of a persona named Zahra, a primary school teacher from Dubai, who is an online doctoral student in educational technology. The persona captures the challenges and experiences of international students in online learning environments 

Background

In my research, I explored how secondary communication, occurring alongside primary communication channels, plays a crucial role in the learning process. This concept, backchanneling, which has evolved from non-verbal cues in in-person communication to digital methods in online environments, is particularly significant in education. Students engage in digital backchanneling for various purposes, from discussing live presentations on Twitter to using chat functions during Zoom classes.

Concepts and Visualization

The persona, Zahra, is a composite character based on my interactions with students during my studies. As an international student in an online doctoral program, Zahra's experience with backchanneling begins in her first semester. Her primary platform for communication is Discord, where she connects with classmates. The journey map I created for Zahra illustrates both her formal learning activities and informal interactions with peers through backchanneling. This map, inspired by actual communications on Discord, reflects Zahra's thoughts, activities, and emotions, adding authenticity to the persona.

User Story

Zahra, a primary school teacher from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has enrolled as an online doctoral student in educational technology at an American university. While she's filled with excitement about her new academic venture, she's equally apprehensive about the potential communication hurdles due to time zone differences. Potential restrictions on accessing certain materials and software licenses in her home country are another source of concern for her. Despite these challenges, she is eager to learn and connect with her peers. 

At the onset, Zahra's interactions with her peers are formal. However, following a program orientation session on Zoom, where the program director covers various program aspects, a fellow student proposes the idea of a dedicated communication platform for the cohort. The students collectively decide on creating a Discord server. This platform becomes an invaluable space for Zahra, allowing her to engage with her peers in a more relaxed manner, enhancing her overall learning experience.