Sarah Lidgus breaks down the newest IDEO.org project redesigning the student experience for a blended learning college aimed at low and middle income students in the United States.

After several days of background research at the IDEO.org offices in San Francisco, our IDEO.org team hit the road to conduct initial field research, with a focus on uncovering the needs and motivations of potential students. So far we've spoken with an expert in student motivation and the even truer experts in student motivation: students themselves.

The six interviewees we've spoken with have all struggled with school in the past and are either currently enrolled or hoping to go back. They range from high school dropouts to community college transfers to a master's student who is currently completing her graduate degree online. Although it's early in the project, some intriguing ideas are starting to emerge. Each person we've interviewed so far clearly understands what their personal weakness is in terms of staying focused in school. Whether it's losing momentum, giving into easy distractions, or feeling uninspired, everyone knows what continues to get in the way of their success. In their bids to continue on with school, they create workarounds to keep moving forward and maintain focus. 

Which got us thinking: are there ways that online education can help you help yourself not get off track? Computer programs that lock you out of Facebook, early penalties for withdrawals on savings accounts, or gyms that charge you for not showing up all tap into our need to control things we struggle with. For students who struggle with staying in school, what are the mechanisms that an online university might use to help students stay in school and on track? This is just one of the questions we'll be looking to answer as the project proceeds.