How might we equip future UX professionals with behavioral science concepts?

2021 | Duration: 3 months | Clients: DePaul University | Location: Chicago, USA

Role: Responsible for creating 5 of 10 modules - content creation, speaker notes, readings, and assessment ideas. Provided readings and assessment ideas for the rest of the course

Problem

Create a curriculum to provide future UX professionals with behavioral science concepts and methodology to incorporate with their UX practice. Course conducted by my manager.

Context: 11-week special topics graduate course
Virtual Course Format: 60-90 mins recorded lecture content, 90 min synchronous call, LMS
Target Audience: Graduate students in the HCI program
Theme: Understanding how to design for context

Course Snapshot

I enjoyed distilling the essence of behavioral science for UX designers

Module 1: Introduction: Solving for Complex Behavior Change

  • Behavioral Science 101

  • Behavioral Science in Health & UX
    Case Study

Module 2: Understanding the Content

  • Design & Context

  • Decision-making Framework

  • Bounded Rationality, Social Dynamics, Emotions

  • UX & Decision-making Framework

Module 4: Understanding Bounded Rationality

  • Decision-Making Context

  • Beliefs & Reasoning

  • Goals & Motivations

  • Memory & Learning

  • Self Concept

  • Risk Perception, Hot & Cold state

I discussed the importance of social dynamics, frameworks to synthesize content, and turning insights into action 

Module 5: Social Dynamics & Analysis Methodology

  • Social Dynamics Concepts

  • Sense-making & Transcript Analysis

  • Synthesis

7: Behavior Design Strategy

  • Turning Insights Into Action

  • Designing Strategies

  • Designing for Impact

  • Creating Buy-In

  • Frameworks for Strategy

  • Opportunity Areas

  • Decision Levers

Result: created a successful semester-long course in Behavioral Science and research methods. The course received a 4.8/5 student grade