Students in Leeds and Washington have collaborated remotely to develop an interactive product which helps learners focus on their studies.
Mingyang Li, from the University of Leeds, and Christine Watridge, from the University of Washington, developed a hybrid study tool for ritual, stress reduction and ‘procrastination prevention’ called Snapmark.
The transformable bookmark and biodata bracelet, with a companion app, was developed remotely as the two universities partnered to allow students to experience international learning through a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) module.
COIL modules involve students from institutions in different countries collaborating on a learning programme or task. The University of Leeds offers COIL modules across a range of disciplines, from languages to sciences, business to design, and with universities across the world including India, Africa, China and Mexico.
Christine and Mingyang’s tool aims to reduce procrastination not by tracking ‘output’ or discipline, but by building habitual cues, helping students to focus more on understanding their own feelings in a specific learning environment – therefore reducing study-related stress.
Christine explained: "SnapMark helps students focus by giving them a simple, calming ritual to start studying, using a tactile object and gentle app prompts.
"Instead of forcing productivity, it helps students ease into focus by connecting physical actions with emotional awareness via the app and bracelet over time, not just for one study session. The detachable squishable bird adds a tactile, grounding element, giving users a physical way to release stress and anchor their attention.”
Mingyang, a Design MA student, said: “Working with Christine and collaborating across different time zones and academic backgrounds pushed me to improve my communication skills and adapt my design process. It also made me more confident in expressing my ideas in English and participating in discussions.
“I have learned how to work efficiently in an international environment and be able to handle diverse viewpoints.”
Christine added: “Participating in the COIL module expanded my approach to collaboration by introducing cross-cultural design perspectives. It was very real-world, working across time zones and cultural contexts. It strengthened my communication skills, adaptability, and ability to co-create across contexts."
The project was led by Dr Elif Şener, lecturer in Graphic, Digital and Communication Design in the School of Design at the University of Leeds, along with Dr Meichun Liu, from the School of Art + Art History + Design at the University of Washington.
Dr Şener, said: “This COIL project was incredibly rewarding for me as an educator. Seeing students collaborate across institutions, disciplines and cultures challenged them to step outside their usual ways of thinking and working.
“Throughout the project, they questioned their own assumptions, and develop more thoughtful and nuanced responses to complex design problems. Experiences as such help students build the confidence, adaptability and collaborative skills that are increasingly important in both professional practice and research.”
COIL projects are coordinated by Dr Martin Ward, Associate Professor of Chinese and Japanese Translation, who is the COIL lead for Experiential Learning at Leeds and is supported by funding from the University’s International Strategy Fund.
Further information
Image credit: Christine Watridge
For further information, please contact Becky Pascoe in the University of Leeds press office at r.pascoe@leeds.ac.uk