Researcher, Product Designer
2021
We were a team of 4 people aiming to provide quality education and one-on-one human interaction for free to those who cannot afford it. The pandemic had created a fear of social interaction and the project aimed to regenerate the lost bond of humanity. By connecting people from different parts of the world, it provided an opportunity to exchange culture and norms, and through education, it aimed to break down myths and propaganda. The project aimed to ensure sustainable development goals by providing access to education and promoting cultural exchange.
We have identified and validated three critical issues in society: language barriers for non-English speakers, financial constraints hindering students' access to resources, and the fear of ridicule among students leading to hesitation in asking questions. Based on survey responses, the problem of financially weak students lacking resources is the most pressing, with 84% of participants prioritizing it. Our analysis aims to determine root causes and potential solutions to help financially weak students access necessary resources and support, creating a more equitable society.
We are developing an app that will allow NGOs and individuals to log in and view a list of needy people. Users can contribute to any person they choose or make a request for themselves or someone else. The request form will require a detailed description of the problem along with proof, which we will verify for authenticity before connecting them with contributors who want to help.
We conducted extensive research and surveys to identify and validate three critical issues that need urgent attention in society. These issues include language barriers for non-English speakers, financial constraints hindering students' access to resources, and the fear of ridicule among students, leading to hesitation in asking questions.
Limited access to good books due to language barriers is a major issue faced by non-English speakers, as the majority of quality literature and educational material is published in English, limiting their ability to acquire knowledge and enhance their skills.
Many students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds struggle to afford essential resources such as textbooks, school supplies, and technological devices necessary for remote learning. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to their financially stable peers and can significantly impact their academic performance and future opportunities. Therefore, there is an urgent need to connect financially weak students with resources that can help them overcome these barriers and achieve their full potential
Based on our observations, many students struggle to ask questions and clarify their doubts in class. The main reason behind this reluctance is the fear of being ridiculed by their peers for not understanding concepts properly. As a result, students suffer in silence and miss out on critical learning opportunities. We recognize this as a significant problem and aim to find a solution that encourages students to seek help and support from teachers without the fear of judgment or ridicule from their peers.
Based on the responses we received, 27.3% of survey participants prioritized the first problem, while 56% wanted to solve the issue of financially weak students lacking resources, and 16.7% were concerned about the fear of ridicule among students. Thus, we concluded that the second problem is most pressing and requires immediate attention.
We are currently analyzing this problem in greater depth to determine the root causes and potential solutions. Our main target audience is financially weak students who lack access to resources and support. By addressing this issue, we hope to create a more equitable society where every student has equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their financial background. Join us in our mission to eradicate this problem and make a difference in the lives of these students.
We initially started with an idea to develop a low code/no code platform that connects NGOs, donors, and economically disadvantaged individuals to provide fundamental knowledge resources for the betterment of society. Our platform will facilitate the exchange of resources and support for those in need and provide a space for donors to contribute in any way possible. By enabling access to education for those who cannot afford it, we hope to make a positive impact on the development of the nation. Our platform will allow anyone to register and request help while providing donors with the means to offer assistance through the app. For this project we tried and tested every possible solution to provide our best to help people.
Starting an NGO to address the issue of economic inequality and lack of access to resources is a noble endeavor. By collaborating with like-minded individuals, we can pool our resources and knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need. Through manual identification of those who require assistance, we can ensure that our efforts are targeted and effective.
Pros
Cons
Developing a comprehensive social media campaign is an authentic and impactful solution to raise awareness and find nearby needy students who require help. By leveraging the power of social media, we can effectively reach a wide audience and encourage them to come forward and support the cause. This solution not only creates a sense of community and solidarity but also fosters a culture of giving back and helping those in need. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of these students and contribute towards a brighter future for our society.
Pros
Cons
Our platform is designed to connect NGOs and individuals with complete transparency, creating a larger community that can work together to help those in need and share resources. We believe in the power of collective action and aim to provide a platform that makes it easier for everyone to help each other. Our goal is to provide support for those who need it most, whether it be through donations, volunteering, or other means of assistance. Join us in our mission to make the world a better place, one person at a time.
Pros
Cons
The data shows that the first approach was the most favored among the audience with a rating of 8.225 out of 10, followed by the second approach with 6.25 and the third with 6.22. While we aim for a rating above 9, we understand the need to create more awareness about our solution. To achieve this, we will develop a prototype with all the necessary features to educate potential users on how our solution can help them. Our platform aims to address the issue of quality education and provide a helping hand to those in need. Our target users are needy students who require one-on-one interaction with teachers and lack financial support, especially during the pandemic. Our app can be used worldwide as the scope of education cannot be limited to one specific region or age. We will start with an MVP and gradually scale up to cater to a larger user base.
The proposed app is aimed at providing a platform for NGOs and individuals to connect with each other and help those in need. The user would be asked to choose between two options: NGO or individual, and after logging in, they would be directed to a personalized feed displaying a list of needy people. Users can contribute to the needy people by selecting them from the feed. Additionally, users can submit requests for themselves or others who may not have internet access, and the app would prompt them to fill a form detailing the problem and attaching relevant proofs. The app would then verify the authenticity of the request before connecting the requester with contributors who are interested in helping.
The major objective of this project was learn what it takes to build a startup. How we can find a problem in our society and how can we solve that using technology. We learned a lot about how to prepare for market research, how to evaluate ideas, how to make a product for people.
As for this course project we have to build only prototype which can signify what we have to build. As the designs & prototype are the first thing in building an app. We focused more on research & design, now after completion of this course we can build a app around it and can create a potential startup around it.
Mentors can offer feedback on the our ideas, products, and strategies, helping us to refine our approach and improve our chances of success. They can also provide accountability and motivation, pushing us to stay focused and on track towards our goals.