African Leadership University (ALU)

Here’s how Tallium helped African Leadership University (ALU) design a learning management system that fits the university’s unique and innovative learning model.

Web

Client’s location

USA

Tallium team

Project Manager
3 Front-end Developers
2 Back-end Developers
2 UX/UI Designers
QA engineer

Timeline

July 2022 - April 2023

Challenges

ALU has a unique and innovative learning model. We had to design a system that would accurately implement the student’s learning journey at the university. The requirements often changed throughout the project, so we had to be fast and flexible when making the required changes.

Execution

Our team developed a Web app ( learning platform) that allows registering as Educators, Independent Students, and Students and interacting with existing Students Management Systems.

Understanding the innovative learning model at ALU

At ALU, 10% of learning occurs in the classroom, 20% through peer and coach interactions, and 70% through real-world experience. This model prepares students to tackle the challenges in the communities they serve.

The foundation year

During the first year, also known as the foundation year, students get important skills, including effective communication, research, problem-solving, and more.

The second and third years

In the second and third years, learners continue building the foundation laid during their first year, with a greater focus on specialization and practical application.

ALU Learning Journey

The learning plan implies that students define their personal Missions, like solving human and wildlife conflicts in the community. They can also select 2-3 Global Challenges and Great Opportunities they want to address such as Urbanization, Healthcare, Agriculture, Governance, and more.

User Personas

We also created user personas to better understand the diverse backgrounds, motivations, and challenges of different learner groups at ALU and design a user interface that would meet their needs.

Adebiyi, 19y.o.

ALU Student

January 22’ intake

About Adebiyi

I`m fun, introverted, but also the life of the party. I love singing, writing songs, and keeping my work private. This term, I juggled three internships with school. I unwind with comedies and friends.

Typical day

I wake up at 6:00 am, check my phone, and either respond to messages or watch TikToks. I wish Lumen motivated me to log on. By 9:00 am, I plan my day and work on tasks. At 5:00 pm, I stop and unwind with dinner, movies, and friends.

Motivation

The learning model gives you a proactive approach to learning
It allows you to choose what you want to learn
It gives room to explore many things. For example, I started the term focused on the policy and advocacy pathway and then made a transition to planetary health
Once you have filled out a learning contract, it is very helpful because it lays out all the things you need to do in the term

Frustrations

Creating a learning contract was chaotic.
I struggled finding time to complete my learning contract because the term was very packed with activities happening at the same time
Lack of connection between the different components of the learning contract
Sessions with the coach were not very useful because I was not prepared for them nor did I find the conversations useful.

I live with my mission. It helps to orient me around my work.

Almasi, 19y.o.

ALU Student

January 22’ intake

About Almasi

I came to ALU because I got a scholarship. I became very interested in coming here after talking to a 3rd year student. I am motivated and I love collaboration. I also love meeting new people and engaging with them. I did not have a mission before entering ALU, and even now, I do not really know what my mission is.

Typical day

I wake up at 7:00am, follow my morning routine, head to campus to work, take breaks with friends, switch tasks when needed, return home around 4:00pm, do chores, plan the next day, and end my day with Netflix.

Motivation

I find the learning model challenging but like to think of it positively
I create a schedule everyday from my learning contract
I reward myself with candy after completing a task from my learning contract

Frustrations

I had never owned a laptop before coming to ALU
The first time I heard about a learning contract was via email, during the second term
The Micro-courses took much longer and were more difficult than I imagined at the beginning

When I look at my learning contract I ask myself "What was I doing?".
I need to make a better learning contract next term.

Ahadi, 22y.o.

ALU Student

January 22’ intake

About Ahadi

After high school, I chose ALU on a scholarship because I’m passionate about using business to create jobs in my community—motivated by my family`s struggles and as the first in my family to attend university, my mission is to change both my life and theirs.

Typical day

I wake up at 5:00am, study for 2 hours, collaborate with other students, then return home for lunch and continue studying until dinner; I end my day by planning tomorrow based on my learning contract and extra activities.

Motivation

ALU’s mission of creating 3 million leaders to be changemakers aligns with my personal mission
Compared to other universities, ALU seems like it creates better opportunities for its students
At ALU, there is a system where students are able to learn what they want to achive and find their mission

Frustrations

My coach seems busy and does not have enough knowledge about topics I have chosen
My coach didn’t clearly explain what a learning contract is, so as students, we tried to figure it out together, but I still wasn’t sure what was expected—I ended up just following my coach’s guidance.

I understand some details in the contract, but cannot really tell you what they are now.
I just followed my coach`s explanation of what I should do.

From Wireframe to Interface

Wireframes

Interface

Mission Journey

Crafting Personal Missions: A Journey through Challenges, Opportunities, and Reflection

To set their personal missions, students take specific steps within their Mission Journey. These include Start with the Heart, Find the Interconnected Threads, Outline the Gaps, and more.

The Mission Journey: Steps to Crafting Personal Missions

While completing the first step within the Mission Journey, learners are presented with 14 Grand Challenges and Great Opportunities to choose from.

Defining and Refining Personal Missions: The Final Step in the Journey

In the final step, students define their personal Missions that connect to the Grand Challenges and Great Opportunities specified. If needed, they can edit their mission statements throughout the learning process.

Student Dashboard

A centralized hub where students can easily track their progress, access active courses, view upcoming tasks, and celebrate achievements.

Calendar

An interactive calendar that helps students stay organized with upcoming lessons, deadlines, and events.

Foundation Summative Assessments

End-of-course evaluations that award special achievement badges upon successful completion.

Active Courses list

A personalized dashboard displaying all current mini-courses with quick-access links for seamless navigation.

Coaches-facing features

A powerful management tool that allows coaches to access all student profiles, review their learning materials and progress, and provide personalized feedback and support.

Students List

Coaches can view the Student’s List, including details like mission status, learning contract, and lastest updates.

Mission Details

Coaches can access the Mission Details of each student, read students’ reflections, and leave feedback.

Proud to be a trusted partner

We measure our success by the success of our customers and partners. By helping others win and grow, we aspire to build bulletproof alliances.

The Tallium team would always first try to understand the business case of the problem we were trying to solve at different stages. They thoroughly brainstorm on designs and would always present at least 2 or 3 different representations. Tallium team was open different viewpoints, and would iterate accordingly until the desired option was identified.

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