Basecamp is an automated onboarding tool designed for novice mobile learners, particularly targeting users like Akua, a middle-aged Catholic sister in Ghana. The tool utilizes WhatsApp as a reliable platform for learning, featuring a chatbot interface that facilitates information sharing and data collection in a conversational style. User testing indicated high satisfaction with the tool's ease of use and effectiveness in providing a comfortable learning experience, leading to plans for its expansion and customization for broader educational outreach.

1. BASECAMP: An automated onboarding
tool to enable online educational outreach
Designed by Kelli Fleming, IDT PHD,
launched on WhatsApp,
written using Landbot.io 1

2. Designing for Akua
Akua is a middle-aged catholic sister of the Holy Cross Order, living and
working outside of Accra, Ghana. Akua is keen to learn how to be a more
effective community change agent, especially in these uncertain times.
However, Akua is apprehensive to start an online applied community
development program. Akua is a heavy user of WhatsApp on her
smartphone. She has seen others learning via their mobile phones but she is
apprehensive as these programs function poorly in her low-resource
environment and she is uncertain about her ability to learn online as it is a
new modality of learning for her.
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3. Designing for Akua
Goal: To create an onboarding tool designed for Akua, and students like her,
that strengthens her determination to continue on her learning journey and
allows for the collection of initial data for the educational outreach program.
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4. Design Foci
Enjoyable for novice online learners
Comfortable for novel users
Stable on unreliable mobile network/unreliable devices
Seamless functionality globally; 24/7
Mobile-first: a reality for many marginalized communities worldwide
Collects key data to allow for scalability and appropriate program follow-up
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5. Design Decisions
Tool built as a
WhatsApp
Chatbot
 Why WhatsApp?
It is a familiar to much of the world and it is a stable
communication platform in places with unreliable
internet connectivity.
 Why a Chatbot?
It allows for information and data collection in a
conversational Q&A style; building rapport with end
user while still allowing for automation.
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6. Design Decisions
Allows for information sharing and survey questions to
occur in a conversational-style
Allows for the order and language to be carefully
considered for maximum impact with the least amount
of resistance
Data collection can inform further interactions with
individual
Tool could be used at the end users convenience;
24/7
More about
Chatbots
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7. Design Decisions
 2 Billion Users
 Reliable in limited bandwidth environments
 Preferred method of communication for the majority of
the globe
 Particularly utilized in underserved areas of the world
More about
WhatsApp
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8. BASECAMP: Walk-though
of Prototype
Beginning with a video welcome message and an
easy to follow instruction. Designed so the end
user feels the ChatBot is humanized. YouTube
videos can play directly in the WhatsApp
platform.
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9. BASECAMP: Walk-though
of Prototype
The onboarding conversation ends with instruction
for the end user regarding next steps, a
personalized thank you, and the opportunity to
invite other users to the educational outreach.
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10. BASECAMP: Walk-though
of Prototype
The onboarding conversation includes‘choose a
response’ questions for information that is
gathered with minimal effort from user.
These are limited to numbered list where the user
enters the corresponding number.
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11. BASECAMP: Walk-though
of Prototype
The onboarding conversation also includes
‘open ended’ questions for information that is
specific to the end user.
Responses can be made in the form of text
response, video, audio, or image.
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12. User Testing
In order to improve upon the tool and to see if the tool was indeed achieving its
purpose, BASECAMP was user tested on four catholic sisters in Ghana.
Again utilizing WhatsApp, they were invited to take part by the designer and
then the welcome message was sent by the tool via WhatsApp.
The four user testers progressed through the tool, as if end users, and at the
completion were asked follow-up questions in order to improve the tool via
googleforms.
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13. Users Evaluation
 What are your first thoughts after testing this tool?
 “It’s very exciting to use it and easy to use“
 “I hope it will be exciting”
 “How fun it will be in learning from others”
 “It is a simple tool learning and easy to operate”
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14. Users Evaluation Cont.
 Tool was enjoyable – 100% agreement
 Tool created a level of comfort with learning via mobile device – 100% agreement
 Completion Rate – 100% - no system or user error during testing
 Confusion? – none reported
Link to Usability Plan
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15. BASECAMP – SUCCESS!
 Enjoyable novice online learners
 Comfortable for novel users
 Stable on unreliable mobile network/unreliable devices
 Seamless functionality globally; 24/7
 Mobile-first: a reality for many marginalized communities worldwide
 Collect key data to allow for scalability and appropriate program follow-up
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16. BASECAMP: Next Steps…
 Ultimately customizable to support various educational outreach programs
 Expand to include learning delivery – not limited to onboarding
 Expand to other marginalized communities
 Expand to an alternative program
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17. Thank you for your time.
 Designed by Kelli Fleming, IDT PHD, launched on the WhatsApp platform,
written using Landbot.io chatbot
 Contact Information: kelli.fleming@vt.edu
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