Learn, Play, andClimb to the Top!
Making learning fun through an interactive snake-and-ladder quiz game designed for elementary students in grades 4–6.
Main Problem
Elementary school students, particularly those in grades 4–6, often experience low learning motivation due to monotonous teaching methods and limited interactive learning media. Many digital learning platforms still focus mainly on delivering content and lack engaging elements to keep students actively involved.
Through surveys and interviews with 100 students and 5 teachers, it was found that students prefer game-based and interactive visual learning, while teachers need a platform that can both assess student understanding and maintain engagement, which guided the design toward a fun and interactive learning experience.
What's really broken
Many digital learning platforms still struggle to engage students because their UI/UX design focuses more on content delivery and assessment rather than creating an engaging experience. Platforms like Perpusnas provide valuable learning resources but often lack interactive and visually engaging interfaces that can attract younger users. Meanwhile, platforms such as Kahoot emphasize quizzes and competition but offer limited game mechanics and playful interactions. As a result, the learning experience can feel either too static or too focused on testing, reducing students’ motivation to learn.
Who we're designing for
* The child's photo has been replaced with a photo of the interview team due to privacy concerns regarding minors.
Background
Indonesian elementary school student, 11 years old, currently in grade 5. She enjoys playing games on her phone or tablet but often feels bored with traditional learning methods that rely heavily on textbooks and repetitive exercises.
- Name: Illyana
- Role: Elementary School Student
- Location: Jakarta
- Character: Curious and Playful
Goals
- Learn school subjects in a more fun and interactive way
- Stay motivated while studying
- Enjoy learning through games and challenges
Pain Points
- Many learning platforms feel too serious and less visually engaging
- Feels bored with conventional learning methods such as reading long texts or doing repetitive exercises
- Learning activities often feel like tests rather than fun experiences, reducing motivation to study
* The child's photo has been replaced with a photo of the interview team due to privacy concerns regarding minors.
What did we do?
Once the main issues were clearly defined, we began exploring design ideas for the Snake and Ladder learning platform. The goal of this phase was to transform traditional quiz activities into a more engaging and playful learning experience that could increase students’ motivation. We focused on determining the essential UI/UX components that would support the experience, such as the game board interface, quiz interaction, leaderboard, and class management features. At the same time, we structured the information architecture to keep navigation clear and easy for elementary school students. To better understand how the product would work, we developed low-fidelity wireframes that illustrated the layout, core interface elements, and the overall user flow of the platform before moving forward to the visual design stage.
What we set out to do
User Goals
The platform aims to help elementary school students learn in a more engaging and enjoyable way. By combining quizzes with the Snake and Ladder game, the experience encourages students to stay motivated, interact with learning materials, and develop a more positive attitude toward studying.
Business Goals
The objective of the platform is to introduce game-based learning that can support both students and teachers. It provides a digital environment where teachers can evaluate student understanding while students participate in interactive learning activities that feel more like playing than taking tests.
Design Principles
- Clarity
- Engagement
- Accessibility
- Motivation
The interface should be straightforward and easy to navigate so young users can quickly understand how to play and learn without confusion.
The design should incorporate playful visuals, interactive elements, and game mechanics that keep students interested throughout the learning process.
Learning activities and game features should be easy to access, allowing students to participate in the game and quizzes without complicated steps.
Elements such as scores, progress, and leaderboards should encourage students to keep playing, learning, and improving their performance.
*Student Dashboard Side
*Teacher Dashboard Side
*Student Dashboard Side
*Teacher Dashboard Side
Key Takeaways
This project highlights the importance of combining education and entertainment to boost student motivation. By integrating quizzes into a familiar game format, learning becomes more engaging and interactive. Simplicity in design ensures both students and teachers can navigate the platform easily, while real-time interaction fosters collaboration and healthy competition. The use of bright, balanced colors enhances focus and energy, creating an inviting learning environment. Overall, the *Snake and Ladder* platform demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform traditional study methods into a fun, effective, and motivating experience.