CASE STUDY: MOTUS

Empowering Student Growth Through Learning & Technology

Motus is a longitudinal learning platform designed for students from grade 3 through high school. The app empowers students to develop foundational skills in personal finance, AI & LLM, business, and technology, while fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and confidence. Teachers manage lesson plans, monitor progress, and guide learning trajectories, while parents and school counselors have view-only access to track student growth.

OVERVIEW

Motus is a student-focused learning platform designed to guide learners from grade 3 through high school in building essential life and career skills. The app combines mini-lessons, interactive challenges, and quizzes to teach students about personal finance, AI and LLM, business fundamentals, and technology. Each lesson is crafted with a mentor-style voice, providing guidance, encouragement, and clear instructions while supporting diverse learning styles and abilities. Teachers design learning trajectories, manage content, and track student progress, while parents and counselors can view progress without interfering in the learning process. Gamified elements such as badges, streaks, and milestone celebrations motivate students to stay engaged and build confidence, while the app’s information architecture and taxonomy ensure content is organized, discoverable, and easy to navigate. Through Motus, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills, preparing them for real-world challenges in education, career, and life. By reducing friction, simplifying complex concepts, and delivering a structured, playful experience, Motus demonstrates the power of thoughtful UX content design in shaping learning outcomes and lifelong growth. Role: UX Content Designer Focus Areas: Microcopy, Content Strategy, Information Architecture, Gamification, Learning Engagement

CHALLENGE

Students often leave school without practical knowledge in personal finances, business basics, or emerging technologies. Traditional learning lacks consistency and engagement over time, leaving gaps in preparation for adulthood, college, or career readiness.

SOLUTION

Motus combines story-driven mini-lessons, gamified challenges, and a mentor-style voice to guide students step-by-step through core concepts, with an architecture and content system designed for clarity, accessibility, and longitudinal growth.

WHY "MOTUS"

The name Motus comes from the Latin word for movement, motion, or change — a direct reflection of the app’s mission to foster growth, learning, and development over time. Just as students advance through increasingly complex concepts, the app evolves alongside them, supporting their journey and encouraging progress at every stage. The simplicity and memorability of the name mirrors the app’s approach: clear, structured, and designed to move learners forward with intention and purpose.

CONTENT DESIGN

Microcopy & In-Product Language: Clear, concise buttons, instructions, and feedback create a mentor-like tone, guiding students through lessons, challenges, and quizzes. Story-Driven Mini-Lessons: Age-appropriate narratives make complex topics engaging, promoting retention and understanding. Challenges & Quizzes: Gamified, interactive exercises reinforce learning and build confidence. Information Architecture & Navigation: Intuitive dashboards for students, teachers, and parents simplify access to lessons, progress tracking, and reporting. Accessibility & Inclusivity: Clear language, visual hierarchy, and positive reinforcement support diverse learning needs. Gamification & Engagement: Badges, streaks, and milestone celebrations motivate continued learning.

IA & TAXONOMY

Student Dashboard: Lessons → Mini-Lessons → Challenges → Feedback → Progress Tracker Teacher Dashboard: Class Overview → Student Progress → Lesson Management → Messaging Parent/Counselor View: View-only access to progress, achievements, and notifications Taxonomy Highlights: Subjects: Personal Finance, AI & LLM, Business, Technology Content Types: Mini-Lesson, Interactive Task, Quiz/Challenge, Story Narrative Grades/Levels: Grade 3 → Grade 12 Skills: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Creativity Progress Indicators: Badges, Completion Status, Streaks

WIREFRAME CONCEPTS

View Lo-Fi Wireframes

SUCCESS METRICS & OUTCOMES

Student Engagement: Lesson completion rates, quiz accuracy, “Ask a Question” interactions, time on task
Teacher Effectiveness: Lesson creation, dashboard usage, reporting, satisfaction surveys
Parent/Stakeholder Insights: Dashboard engagement, milestone tracking, feedback
System-Level Impact: Longitudinal tracking shows skill acquisition growth and measurable learning outcomes
UX Content Impact: Microcopy, tone, IA, and taxonomy directly influence engagement, comprehension, and motivation

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Motus demonstrates how content design and UX strategy can transform learning experiences for students over years of development. By reducing friction, organizing complex information, and creating a consistent, encouraging voice, Motus supports growth, confidence, and mastery of essential skills.

CHRISTINA GIBSON STUDIO