Ashley tackled the Epic! children’s reading app in her submission. This app encourages children age 12 and under to read more books and allows teachers to track activity of pupils.
2. ● Epic! is a reading app for children - 12 and under
● Students can choose to read/listen from a wide
variety of books
● Known for ease of use and attractive design
● Many Read-To-Me books and Dictionary Lookup
● With a school license, students can use the app
between 7-4 pm for free
○ All activity can be tracked by teacher
○ Teachers can customize the reading level of
the books that are offered to the student.
They can also assign books.
● Epic Unlimited is a license that unlocks all
content and has no time restrictions.
● As a parent who has bought a subscription, it
was interesting to see why my kids were
motivated to read through this app
3. ● Octalysis Strategy Dashboard
○ Business Metrics
○ Player Types
○ Desired Actions for Scaffolding Phase
● Analysis of the Current Experience
● Brainstorming
Table of Contents
5. 1. Revenue (subscriptions)
2. Number of teachers using Epic in classroom
3. Student growth (increase in reading levels) - this
one does not seem to explicitly designed for
Top 3 Business Metrics
8. Player Types
* Learning
Reader
Avid
Reader
Struggling
Reader
Reluctant
Reader
This player is a fluent reader who reads more than just the
requirements. This player loves to read and gain knowledge.
This player may not read on grade level but tries to complete
assignments and wants to read on grade level and above. This
player wants to improve even if confidence is low.
This child may not read on grade level and does the bare
minimum to survive or pass the class. The student may not
want to read because it is not a good experience.
This child reads on grade level but only does the bare
minimum to survive or pass the class. The student does not
enjoy reading as an activity.
The focus of the design is the Learning Reader since this player type aligns with all the business metrics.
9. LEARNING READER
Meaning
Empowerment
Accomplishment
Ownership Social Influence
Unpredictability
Scarcity
Avoidance
CD 1
● Wants to make a positive impact on the world and be a
better person and knows reading is a key element CD 3
● Loves being able to choose what to read
● Motivated by being able to read a book
independently
● Feels empowered when completes
assignments successfully without help
CD 5
● Wants to read on grade level or above to be
similar to classmates
● Enjoys receiving praise through completed
assignments or finishing books
CD 7
● Excited to explore new material such as
books, videos, etc.
CD 8
● Reads to avoid failing a grade or falling further behind
● Doesn’t talk about reading because fears ridicule of classmates
● Avoids quizzes when possible because they may “fail”
● Doesn’t want to try harder books because doesn’t want to fail
CD 6
● May fear only books they can read are “childish” -
interest level way below their age
● May fear not enough help to read
CD 4
● Wants to claim they are a good reader and
“collects” things that show this like books
read, badges, good grades, etc.
CD 2
● Excited about reading a book that is “easier”
for them and interesting
● Wants to complete assignments for sense of
accomplishment
● Yearns to read on grade level or above
● Wants to gain knowledge and skill
11. Desired Actions for Scaffolding Phase
● Returns to app daily to read
● Finishes teacher assignments and reads feedback from teacher, this may include
quizzes - encourages teacher to use more as well!
● Uses tools to help learn to read like the Dictionary tool
● Reads suggested books that are high interest and scaffolded for reading level
● Listens to “read aloud” at grade level or above grade level (good balance of learning
to read and developing reader comprehension skills)
● Each week completes a Reading Challenge with Readapillar to unlock more books
and suggestions
● Rates app highly - teachers sees and encouraged to use more
● Sees books that are locked and ask parents to buy license
13. CURRENT EXPERIENCE
Meaning
Empowerment
Accomplishment
Ownership Social Influence
Unpredictability
Scarcity
Avoidance
CD 1
● “Nurture a love of reading”
● “Getting kids to love to read”
● “Unlimited Reading” - free app
CD 3
● Select what book they want, My Interests
● Set own pace to reading (read aloud option)
● Tools available to help learn to read independently, such
as dictionary (press a word and it reads it aloud and
shows definition)
● Instant Feedback on quizzes empowers students to
know they are learning
CD 5
● Students can see how many books they have read
compared to others in class (not which books, so
effort shown not reading level)
● Can “like” books, show they have read
● Teacher can send messages
CD 7
● New books and videos appear frequently
● New suggested reads appear frequently
● Badges achieved (unknown until achieved -
Easter Eggs)
CD 8
● Read assigned reading (if
applicable) to avoid punishment
● Must read during certain hours to
complete work or buy subscription
CD 6
● Limiting amount of hours and books
available outside of school hours or buy
subscription
● Shows what they can’t have because
haven’t signed up for Unlimited (repeatedly)
● Milestone unlock - customization options
CD 4
● Achievements based on desired actions
● Collections such as Favorite List, My Interests
● Customization of icons, background, reading lists,
etc. This also shows what a good reader someone
is because these customizations are locked
● Suggestions based on what read -
customization/ownership of what is suggested
CD 2
● Leveling up ex. “Sir Reads-a lot
● Badges and points
● Tracking board of books finished, hours read, pages
flipped, etc. to be proud of progress
● Quizzes - to be proud of knowing something
15. Brainstorming Ideas
INCREASE BM 3
Name Description CD
Diagnostic Reading -
Suggestions
Diagnose student reading level (multiple ways to do this, tool usage, completion
rate, etc.) to then give better suggestions on what books to read (teacher can
also do this). Track through time with books read and teacher’s suggestions.
2 & 3 (& less
motivated by 8)
Diagnostic Comprehension
- Suggestions
Student can take quiz and system can learn reading comprehension level then
suggest “read outloud” book suggestions. Many times students reading level
and comprehension level do not match. Teacher can also provide this. Track
through time with quizzes and teacher’s suggestions.
2 & 3 (& less
motivated by 8)
Climbing Reading Badge
Badges related to algorithm of increasing reading level both read aloud and
regular reading
2 & 3 (& less
motivated by 8)
Level Up- Increase
Reading Level
When student is reading 80% of content at new level student gets
notification/reward.
1,2,3,4,5
16. Brainstorming Ideas
Name Description CD
Quiz Quester Badge
Student encouraged to take quiz when book is below reading level in order to
build confidence and sense of accomplishment. Then increase frequency of
quizzes offered when taken X amount (sign they are confident in taking them
and not avoiding)
2 & 3
Glowing feature Have slight glowing feature for books that are right on level. 2 & 3
Learning journey map
Show students how they are progressing don’t show actual reading level just
individualized journey.
2 & 3
Slideshow of memories
Have small video of accomplishments and changes to avatar and profile
experience. Student can see progress.
2, 3, & 4
Surprise book of week
Weekly surprise suggestions of book based on interest and reading level.
Also helps students who can’t decide because of too many options
2 & 7
17. Brainstorming Ideas
INCREASE BM 2 & 3
Name Description CD
Rating weekly
Prompts student to rate app on 3 metrics such as overall, finding books,
confidence in learning. Teacher can then change suggested reading levels
and comprehension. Also encourages teacher to use app to give valuable
feedback on when to increase motivation and about what.
2, 3 & 5
Teacher guide
Teachers can learn about differentiated assignments - encourages
accomplishment, empowerment, and decreases fear (avoidance). Learn how
to use app to best advantage
2, 3, & 8
Admin Report
Send administration reports to encourage district wide adoption and show
how readers are improving
2,3,4,5
18. Brainstorming Ideas
INCREASE BM 1, 2 & 3
Name Description CD
Parent involvement
Send reports of reading not only to teacher but to parent. Suggest reading
outside of school hours. (Scarcity for parent and student and “ownership” of
a good reader for parent)
2,3,4 & 5
Parent Tips Tips sent to parents on how to encourage reading, do’s and don’ts 5
Discounts/Scholarships
Give discounts or scholarships to Low to Moderate Families. Suggestions
could be from teacher.
6
Reading Newsletter Share with parents to show how important it is to be a good reader 5 & 6
19. Brainstorming Ideas
OVERALL IDEAS
Name Description CD
Bandwagon Streak/Daily
Tipper
Students get “tips” to like books. Also student gets points if others like it, so
promotes them to read more to find good ones and encourage others to read
as well so they give “tips” to the author.
2,3,4 & 5
Student ratings and
reviews
If not above, encourage students to rate and write reviews about books 5
Badges
Expand on badges to include finishing collections, friend reads
recommendation, different genres read, etc.
2,3,4,5
Easter Eggs Silly videos that appear at random times 7
Mini Quests
Give students quests such as read a book from x number of genres. Student
receives “certificate” for quest completion.
2,3,4,5 & 6
20. Brainstorming Ideas
Name Description CD
Narrative
Promote more of the epic meaning of learning to read and how that is
superpower where you can help the world
1
Humanity Hero
If students write non-fiction stories that help raise awareness around topics
they become a humanity hero
1
Interview with authors
Students can watch videos with authors when they have read books.
Sometimes this can also be used as a surprise for authors they haven’t read
5,7,3
Points
Have the points mean something. Points they can receive gifts from teachers
or parents or partner businesses.
2,4
Reading Groups
Meet others who like the same books. See suggestions, perhaps talk about
them, etc.
2,4,5
Clubhouses
Students can join clubhouses who have similar interests once certain
collections are completed
2,3,4,5,6,7