The PRISM project, spearheaded by the California Department of Education (CDE) and Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), in partnership with Equality CA Institute and several non-profit organizations, aims to address the lack of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in educational settings. The project focuses on developing the PRISM platform to provide comprehensive training courses and resources for educators, fostering LGBTQ+ competency, and creating safe and supportive learning environments for LGBTQ+ students.
The research phase involved conducting stakeholder interviews, user surveys to gain insights into the needs of educators and LGBTQ+ students. Analysis of the data identified gaps and opportunities for improvement, informing the design and development of the PRISM platform.
Through research and analysis, significant gaps were identified, including the lack of comprehensive training resources for educators and limited support for LGBTQ+ students in educational settings. Addressing these gaps was crucial to the success of the PRISM project.
Detailed personas representing educators with varying levels of familiarity with LGBTQ+ issues were created to ensure that the PRISM platform caters to their specific needs and challenges. These personas guided the design process and ensured a user-centered approach.
A clear and intuitive information architecture was developed to organize training courses, resources, and support materials effectively on the PRISM platform. Accessibility and ease of navigation were prioritized to accommodate users with diverse technological proficiency.
Wireframing and prototyping techniques were utilized to visualize the platform's layout and functionality. Iterative testing sessions were conducted to gather feedback and refine the user experience, ensuring that the PRISM platform meets the needs of its users effectively.