UX course final project, Technion
UX Guidance: Ran Liron
2020-2021
To get started, here are some key terms for context:
Developed in the 1960's by Chilean psychologist Rolando Toro, Biodanza is a practice that integrates movement, music, emotional expression and group interaction to enhance well-being and promote human connection.
Biodanza is a global movement, practiced in over 40 countries worldwide, with thousands of trained facilitators leading groups.
In Spanish, the word captures a deeply personal and emotional encounter, often connected to sensory and embodied experiences.
The group facilitator is responsible for planning and guiding the sessions.
The training program to become a facilitator spans 3 years and is offered at Biodanza schools worldwide.
1.0 The Problem
1.1 Problem Statement:
Information Overload in Session Planning
Planning a Biodanza session requires integrating many elements and handling a large amount of information (factors like group dynamics, song and dance exercise selection, theoretical concepts, and methodology).
Currently, facilitators rely on memory and printed catalogs containing thousands of items to plan their sessions.
1.2 Proposed Solution:
A Digital Platform for Session Planning
2.0 Research / Interviews
I wanted to gain insights into the planning process of Biodanza sessions and to identify the challenges the facilitators encounter. I already had some understanding of the challenges and wanted to confirm this while exploring further.
Conducted 9 interviews:
+
4 students nearing graduation
+
3 facilitators, under 5 years' experience
+
2 facilitators, over 5 years' experience
The Questions that guided me:
+
What is your goal in creating a session?
+
Describe the session creation process.
+
What challenges do you face in session planning?
+
What kind of support do you need?
Key points raised:
+ Difficulty Remembering
Facilitators working with a printed catalog of songs and exercises containing thousands of items noted that they tend to remember specific exercises and songs, leading them to use them more frequently. They expressed a desire to expand the range of exercises and songs they can "retrieve" from memory.
+ A distrust towards digital solutions
The interviewees shared that, for them, creating a session is a deeply personal and emotional process, reliant on intuition, instincts and the ability to percieve subtle dynamics. They expressed doubts about whether a digital system could fully capture and respond to these nuanced human elements.
+ Low Technological Literacy
An interviewee stated that she noticed low technological literacy among many of her peers.
+ Social Sharing
The interviewees noted there is an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual support and consultations among facilitators, in both small and large online groups.
3.0 Research / Survey
The focus of the survey was on the challenges in planning a session.
I aimed to confirm the hypothesis that significant difficulties exist in planning a session and to assess the extent of these challenges.
Key findings:
+ Mutual Support & Social Engagement
Currently, there are small "capsules" of sharing and assistance among facilitators, with many expressing a willingness to share, help, and receive help.
+ Older Age Group
82% of the respondents
are aged 51–70
+ moderate-level Challenges related to memory
Most respondents reported moderate-level challenges related to remembering theoretical content, as well as song and exercise options. A significant percentage faced high-level challenges, and together, those experiencing moderate and high-level challenges constitute a clear majority.
+ Medium to low technological literacy
Most survey participants reported moderate difficulties in operating software and music players. The percentage of respondents who indicated they had no difficulties at all or were experiencing high levels of difficulty was negligible. It is worth noting that the technological solutions currently chosen by the respondents were relatively simple, such as music players and office software.
4.0 Conclusions and Challenges
4.1.1 Challenge: Building Trust
4.1.2 Challenge: Simplifying Complexity
The challenge is in creating a complex system that remains intuitive and easy to use.
4.2 Reflections on Solutions
+ The app as an assistant
Ensuring that the application supports the facilitator's intuition rather than attempting to replace it, and emphasizing the app's role as an assistant rather than a substitute, could help build trust and acceptance among users.
+ Prioritizing Ease of Use
Prioritizing ease of use is crucial for enabling users with low technological literacy to navigate the system effectively.
+ Education and Training
+ Guided Interaction
5.0 Business Model
5.1 International Subscription Model
Most potential users are located abroad, making it essential for the subscription model to operate on an international scale to be profitable.
Lets talk numbers
*True to 2021
Potential users in Israel
Didactic
Teachers
Potential users across 40 countries worldwide
Didactic
Teachers
5.2 Free Student Access
Offering schools the option to provide students with free access throughout their three years of study helps students gradually incorporate the system into their daily practice. This approach builds trust in the app as a digital solution, particularly for those with low technological literacy, allowing them to grow more comfortable using the platform over time.
6.0 Personas
Social Worker
Biodanza School Graduate
Age: 62
From Haifa
"My memory isn’t what it used to be"
As Rita,
I want easy access to exercise and song ideas, so I can efficiently plan sessions that meet my group’s specific needs.
As Rita,
I want to easily organize and save my session plans so I can refer back to them for future use.
As Rita,
I want to search for specific exercises by theme or purpose,
so I can quickly find what fits my group’s dynamics.
👍
Motivation for Using the System
To get ideas for exercises and help with recalling exercise options.
👎
Concerns about the System
Over-reliance on the system and increasing forgetfulness.
🖥️
Technological Literacy
Medium-high. She helps her friends with software.
🖥️
System Access
Desktop, mobile.
Psychologist
Student at the Biodanza school
Age: 46
From Binyamina
"Time always slips through my fingers"
Billy lives a busy schedule, balancing between his clinic and groups. he has discovered that Biodanza can help people in various ways, so it's important for him to dedicate time to add Biodanza to his therapeutic toolkit. he is constantly searching for ways to accomplish more in less time.
As Billy,
I want to quickly access session planning tools,
so that I can efficiently prepare for my Biodanza group.
As Billy,
I want to browse a curated catalog of exercises and songs,
so I can find suitable options without feeling overwhelmed.
As Billy,
I want to search and filter the results by topics and teachers' names,
so that I can plan my schedul.
👍
Motivation for Using the System
To streamline and shorten the process of creating the Vivencia.
👎
Concerns about the System
Fear of over-reliance on technology.
🖥️
Technological Literacy
High
🖥️
System Access
Desktop, mobile, tablet.
7.0 User Flow
As Rita,
I want to find an exercise and pair it with a suitable song,
so I can efficiently plan a meaningful session
