Creating an All-Access Learning Hub for Ontario Students
Development of a free, comprehensive K-12 digital learning platform designed to democratize education across Ontario
Role
UX Designer
Industry
Education
Duration
15 months +
Overview
TVO Learn was created during the pandemic through a Ministry of Education request to support educators find free Kindergarten to Grade 12 resources, aligned with the Ontario curriculum. In addition to these resources, TVO Learn offered free mathematics tutoring (mathify) and educational games (mpower).
Currently, I'm leading a complex ecosystem transition: maintaining our existing Shopify platform while designing its replacement, a new in-house CMS. I'm also coordinating with vendors redesigning our math tutoring (which will integrate into the new platform) and creating a universal SSO system connecting all TVO products.
This involves managing legacy operations while building the future state of TVO Learn.
The Challenge
TVO Learn is boring for learners!
Learners don't want to use TVO Learn on their own initiative, they must be instructed or forced.
The current platform is boring, overwhelming, and doesn't meet unique learner needs. It has an adult voice and look, with no fresh content, new experiences, or sense of accomplishment.
Beyond user engagement issues, the transition itself presents complex ecosystem challenges: maintaining operations on the existing platform while building the future state, ensuring design consistency across internally-built and vendor-developed tools, and creating seamless user experiences across multiple touch points and authentication systems.
Goals
Become THE go-to destination for online Ontario K-12 learning resource
Deliver effective learning outcomes measured through pre/post engagement assessments
Empower learners with personalized, age-appropriate experiences
Reduce the gap of learners who are behind post-COVID
Build a platform that retains learners who grow up using the system from K-12
Achieve global recognition as an award-winning educational platform
The Solution
To address the education gap in Ontario, TVO Learn will be a one-stop, personalized learning platform aligned with the K–12 curriculum, offering equitable and accessible support for diverse learners.
This involves:
Design System Foundation: Creating scalable components ensuring consistency across legacy site, new platform, and vendor tools.
Universal Identity Experience: Designing single sign-on that seamlessly connects all learning tools and eliminates friction.
Platform Migration Strategy: Maintaining current operations while building engaging experiences that transform TVO Learn into an interactive destination.
Vendor Integration Coordination: Ensuring consistent user experience across internal and external platforms through unified design standards.
Impact will be measured by adoption, engagement, retention, learning outcomes, and global brand recognition.
Immediate Educational Impacts
1. Closing Learning Gaps
31% of Grade 3 students don't meet provincial writing standards, and 18% of Grade 6 students fail to meet writing standards
Personalized learning paths could help struggling students catch up at their own pace
ESL support addresses needs of Ontario's diverse immigrant population
2. Addressing Post-COVID Recovery
COVID-19 disruptions showed that even small decreases in numeracy skills are associated with 20-30% wage gaps in adulthood
Self-directed learning tools prepare students for future disruptions
3. Equity and Inclusion
First Nations students face systemic gaps with 12.6% suspension rates
Responsive design and accessibility features could improve outcomes for marginalized communities
Mobile-first approach serves rural and remote Ontario learners
Slides
"Through all your work you displayed a commitment to delivering high quality experiences that aligned with key objectives and user expectations... I truly feel that the new TVO Learn will grow to set a new standard in online learning."
