Project Overview

FocusFlow is a student-centered, integrated learning management system (LMS) designed to combat attention fragmentation in university settings — combining synchronized lecture streaming, micro-quizzes, and light gamification in a single unified workspace.

The Problem

Problem Statement

Students don't just lose focus — they lose focus because too many separate digital tools break the flow of learning. To follow a single lecture, students typically juggle Zoom, Canvas, Google Docs, and chat apps simultaneously. Every app switch breaks concentration, adds cognitive load, and reduces engagement.

Key Insights

• Attention drops sharply after 20–30 minutes of lecture
• Text-heavy slides and monologue-style delivery accelerate disengagement
• Phones are the primary interruption vector — even Focus Mode doesn't fully block distractions
• Instructors suffer from "tool fatigue" — managing slides, polls, chat, and attendance simultaneously
• Students recorded themselves studying to create a sense of accountability (unexpected finding from observations)

Research Methods

• 🎙️ User Interviews — 5 students (undergrad + grad), ages 21–35, across different programs
• 👁️ Field Observations — HCI classroom, IU Library, restaurant environments
• 🗂️ Affinity Diagramming — 8 themes synthesized from research data

User Personas

Persona 1: Ava Desai — Graduate Student