Create match between tutor and a student
Find the perfect tutor or student effortlessly with our AI-powered matching system. Using the VARK learning model, we connect students with tutors who fit their learning and teaching styles—ensuring a seamless, effective, and frustration-free experience.
TL;DR
This project is a platform designed to seamlessly match tutors and students based on the VARK (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic) learning model. Both students and tutors take a short quiz to determine their learning and teaching preferences, ensuring an optimal match for effective lessons.
Goal
The objective was to create a system that provides the perfect tutor-student match, ensuring compatibility in learning styles and expectations to improve retention and learning outcomes.
Role
Product Designer (Research, UX/UI design, interaction, prototyping, and handoff) in collaboration with the CTO, Co-Founders, and a tutor.
Palapa Ai
Year
2023
Education
4+
The problem
Finding the right tutor can be frustrating. Students and parents often rely on word-of-mouth recommendations, which don’t guarantee a good match. A poor fit can lead to wasted time, frustration, and a lack of progress. On the tutor's side, up to 20-40% of students don’t return for a second lesson, making retention a challenge.
Pain points
Mismatch in expectations
Differences in teaching styles, pace, or personalities lead to ineffective lessons.Tutor challenges
Tutors struggle when students don’t fully grasp their teaching methods.Student frustration
A tutor’s approach may not align with a student's learning style.Lack of transparency
Pricing and lesson details are not always clear upfront.Scheduling conflicts
Finding the right time for both parties can be difficult.Low lesson retention
Students sometimes drop out without explanation.Key Takeaway
Both tutors and students need better visibility into scheduling, learning progress, and compatibility before committing to lessons. A structured system that builds trust and ensures a strong match can improve retention and satisfaction on both sides.
Research & Insights
To better understand the problem, we:
✅ Conducted competitive analysis on how leading platforms handle tutor-student set a lesson.
✅ Interviewed tutors and students to uncover pain points and expectations.
✅ Explored the VARK model to create an effective matching system.
Key Insights
Students and tutors want more control over the process and transparency in lesson expectations.
Many found the current tutoring search process frustrating, often leading to mismatches.
A structured post-lesson summary would help continuity and involve parents if needed.
Building Trust
✅ For Tutors – Many tutors were hesitant to switch from their current processes. We addressed this by providing onboarding guides and offering secure in-app payments to streamline transactions.
✅ For Students – Students are more tech-savvy but need assurance that they are matched with the right tutor. Social media campaigns and influencer collaborations helped build awareness and trust.
Ease of Use
The app is designed with a playful and engaging interface to improve focus and retention.
Gamified matching quiz keeps students engaged while ensuring an accurate match.
Opportunities Based on Insights
💡 Gamify the experience
Make the matching and lesson process engaging.
💡 Provide trust signals
Use social media and school partnerships to build credibility.
💡 Highlight ROI
Emphasize saved time, reduced costs, and improved tutor-student experiences.
Personas
Tutor
Name: Bar
32 years old
Location: Raanana, Israel
Background: High school teacher who tutors in the afternoons for extra income. Enjoys building close relationships with students.
Goal: To attract the right students with minimal effort and help them pass exams.
Quote: “I love tutoring, but I don’t like spending time looking for students or marketing myself.”
Name: Daniel
17 years old
Location: Lod, Israel.
Background: Loves basketball but struggles with school. Needs good grades to continue playing.
Pain Points: Finds school boring and lacks motivation, leading to poor grades.
Goal: Pass exams so he can keep playing basketball.
Quote: “I just need to pass this semester so I can get back to what I love.”
Solution Design
To create an intuitive and effective experience, we focused on:
✅ Clear, concise UI - Highlighting essential information to maintain user engagement.
✅ Card-based interface - Creating a fluid, interactive learning experience.
✅ Seamless tutor-student matching - Ensuring compatibility through the VARK-based quiz.
✅ Desktop-Optimized Design - Prioritizing a desktop-first approach for lesson delivery.
✅ Progress indicators - Providing real-time tracking of lesson stages for both students and tutors.
✅ Structured scheduling system - A built-in scheduling tool that allows students and tutors to coordinate lessons efficiently without back-and-forth communication.
✅ Automated session summaries - A brief report after each lesson to track progress, outline key takeaways, and provide continuity between sessions.
✅ Secure in-app payments - Enabling seamless transactions to eliminate payment-related friction.
✅ Interactive lesson planning tools - Allowing tutors to tailor lesson structures based on student needs and progress.
✅ Built-in feedback system - Encouraging students and tutors to rate each session to continuously refine the matching algorithm.
✅ Future - Mobile companion app - Complementing the desktop version with a mobile-friendly experience for scheduling, messaging, and lesson reminders.
