Shape UP!

Project Plan (Draft 1)

Action Apps Group, Project: Shape UP!

Project Plan (Draft 1)

Farheen Khan, Alaa K. Al-Makhzoomy, Jack Baum

Wayne State University

Authors Note: This project is developed in fulfilment of the requirements of the

course IT7220: Multimedia for Instruction, in the Spring/Summer 2015 semester, in the
Instructional Technology program at Wayne State University.

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

Background and Problem to be addressed

The Action Apps group met in a series of Skype sessions to discuss several different
issues related to the app we agreed upon. This is a multi-purpose geometry app that we
call, Shape Up!
Shape Up! is a multi-purpose app that is designed to be used as by a variety of
different users, from grade school children seeking to learn and have fun with geometry to
adults seeking simple answers to practical and simple math problems that are rooted in
geometry, such as how many gallons of paint might be required to cover a rectangular wall
in the home?
Audience and Content
Though not strictly denoted by age, audience members may be more stratified by
app function. These functions are offered to the users in terms of likely use in the following
order, which may appeal to respective audience members. Major categories are selectable
from the home screen as simple or advanced shapes. The simple selections are noted as
two-dimensional shapes, while the advanced selections are noted as three-dimensional
shapes. At the initial home selection screen, the user selects from the following functions,
which comprise the app content:
1.

Shape Review (formerly Information): for selected shapes to get

background information for that particular shape, such as what makes a
parallelogram different from a rectangle?

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

2.

GoFigure (formerly Answer): Just give a simple answer to a geometry math

problem (paint example above).

3.

Games: This function would appeal to children of grade 6 and below seeking
to have fun while learning about geometric shapes.

4.

Quiz: Check your understanding of the geometry concepts with a quiz on the
selected shape. This function relates most directly to evaluation by providing
feedback to the user on entering the correct answer to the quiz question.

These features and the presentation we developed to deliver them came from an
initial brainstorming session. The group members communicated via Skype for topic and
initial strategy. We followed-up with informal survey of apps offered in Apples App Store
for teaching basic geometry with shapes.
Objectives
The four selections described above are offered to the various users, who would
have different purposes for using the app. They are not specified for any specific user, as
they can have a great deal of overlap in terms of usage and appeal. However, the functions
can be considered as providing the users with a source of information, providing simple
answers to practical questions, providing drawing instructions, a source of entertainment
and a check for concept understanding.
Initial Device Utilized and Justification

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

The app was conceived for use on a smart phone, but the nature of the parallel
operating system make it also applicable for the operating system for a tablet device. We
conceived of the smart phone as a true mobile device for people on the go, who either want
the answers now or want an activity to use while doing something else (multi-tasking).
The other consideration was that these people using the app on a smart phone do not have
a lot of screen real estate to work with. Therefore, the app must be easy to use and make
few technical demands on the user for any of the functions.
We looked at geometry offerings from Apples App Store to see if there were
similar offerings of this app. While there were several geometry selections offered, none
of them combined the diversity of functions that we offer or the simplified layout to
accomplish the function objectives. We found instructional apps with information and
quizzes, drawing apps and lots of games. Our focus was user-friendly design so that the
users can easily accomplish their selected function objectives.
App Function and Content Flow (Organization)
The app provides discreet functions, depending on the interest of the user. Because
the user selects just what he or she wants to accomplish with the app, the functions are
separate and distinct and easily and efficiently selected from the app home screen. This
document provides a written description of these features. A visual will soon follow.
From the home screen, the user first selects the language to use and whether or not
audio should accompany the selection for the visually impaired users.

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

The user then selects one of the four functions described above for either a two
dimensional shape (simple or plane geometry) or a three dimensional shape (advanced or
solid geometry). The selection the user makes takes him or her to the next screen for the
specified function where they can then select from specific two or three-dimensional
shapes, respectively. Once the answer, quiz, information, or game is provided for the user,
there is no progression, only the offer to make another selection, use the Google search box
(on every screen at the top right) or exit the app.
Evaluation and Progress
Because the app is organized by function, there is no specific evaluation of
progress. The quiz feature can offer direct feedback to the user in either a positive
reinforcement indicator for inputting the correct answer or feedback suggesting the user
try again in case of inputting an incorrect answer. Feedback evaluation to the app designers
can be available on a separate screen and also as a simple emoticon selection at the bottom
of the selected function to advise the app designers of their opinion of the function. A
contact us selection can also be used for this purpose for freeform text input.
An informal project plan has been developed for the project with tasks assigned to
each of the members. We basically play to our acknowledged strengths in bringing the app
from concept to preliminary design. A more formal project plan is currently under
development. Ideas have been shared and discussed via e-mail, Skype, phone calls and
Google docs, which we have kept open for editing among the group members.
Images and Use

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

Because of small screen size, we prefer simplified input with a minimum of typing
by the user. Images as shapes themselves are preferred as buttons for the users to click or
links to easily click. Radio selection buttons would be offered for selections as well as the
shapes for both input and screen navigation. For quiz calculations, a calculator keyboard
can share the screen for input directly into the quiz problem or question. The idea is to offer
the functions to the user with a minimum of clicking, typing and screen navigation by
making these functions both intuitive and efficient.
Navigation and features are represented by the concept map that is illustrated in
Figure 1. The prototype of ShapeUP can be accessed and tried online (Action Apps Group,
2015). Sample preliminary screens are displayed in Figures 2 6.

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

Figure 1: Concept Map of ShapeUP!

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

Figure 2: Home screen of ShapeUP!

Figure 3: Shape Review screen for two-dimensional shapes

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

Figure 4: Curved Shapes screen displayed when Shape Review is selected

Figure 5: Circle screen displayed when Shape Review is selected, this screen is still
under construction.

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

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Figure 6: Map of screens and dataflow (still under construction)

Shape UP! Project Plan (Draft 1)

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Usability and Navigation

Design is intended for ease of use by the user, who is assumed to be a person too
busy to be concerned about how to navigate from one place to the next. Screen navigation
is intentionally simple with accessible and compact functions readily available.
We also provide language selection as a user preference and an audio option for
users who prefer to have terms spoken.

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References
Action Apps Group. (2015, 6 16). ShapeUP prototype. Retrieved from
www.fluidui.com:
https://www.fluidui.com/editor/live/preview/p_kD01MTsqwF1c8foT5FxR7uE8c
HTVT8xW.1434495731960
Bubbl.us. (2015, 6 15). Bubbl.us. Retrieved from Bubbl.us: Bubbl.us
Math Salamanders Limited. (2015, 6 16). List of Geometric Shapes. Retrieved from
Math Worksheets Printable from the Math Salamanders: http://www.mathsalamanders.com/list-of-geometric-shapes.html
MathsIsFun.com. (2015, 6 16). Maths Is Fun. Retrieved from Math is Fun - Maths
Resources: http://www.mathsisfun.com/shape.html