Empowering Local Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals: Interactive Learning Platform with Drupal
Introduction
The Voluntary Local Review (VLR) is a critical framework that enables cities, municipalities, and local governments to assess and report on their progress toward achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By conducting a VLR, local authorities can evaluate their policies, programs, and actions in relation to global sustainability targets, fostering transparency and accountability. The VLR also encourages collaboration among communities, stakeholders, and governments, helping local entities align their development strategies with international objectives while addressing unique regional challenges. This process is integral for driving sustainable urban growth and ensuring that local initiatives contribute to broader global outcomes.
Project Overview
- Client: UNESCAP VLR
- Industry: Public Services
- Objective: To build a user-friendly, accessible platform that allows visitors to access research, policies, and resources easily while promoting community engagement and collaboration.
Challenges
The challenge for the UNCP VLR website was to create a highly interactive user interface with extensive animations while adhering to a low-cost approach, using only Drupal and minimising the reliance on custom JavaScript for functionality.
Solution
- UI/UX Design: We developed a clean, modern user interface that focused on creating an intuitive and engaging learning experience. The primary objective was to provide a user-friendly platform with clear categorization of information, making navigation seamless and the learning journey enjoyable.
- Modern, User-Centric Interface: The interface was designed with simplicity and elegance in mind, offering a sleek and clean look. Users could easily navigate through the platform, ensuring a smooth experience that made information discovery efficient and enjoyable.
- Clear Categorization & Structured Content: The information was organised into clear, well-defined categories. This structured approach allowed users to follow logical pathways through content, guiding them naturally to the topics of interest without overwhelming them or risking the omission of key materials.
- Interactive User Experience: To maintain user engagement, we incorporated highly interactive elements that encouraged exploration. This dynamic user interface ensured that learners remained focused, progressing through each topic without missing critical information.
- Progress Tracking & Flexibility: Recognizing the importance of flexibility in modern learning, we implemented a feature that allowed users to pause their learning journey at any point. The platform automatically saved their progress, enabling them to resume exactly where they left off, eliminating any friction in their learning process.
- Gamification & Achievement Awards: To foster motivation, we introduced a gamification system where users were rewarded with badges or awards upon completing modules. This not only boosted user engagement but also encouraged them to continue learning and achieve their goals. The sense of accomplishment provided through these awards enhanced user satisfaction and retention.
- Responsive Design: Ensured that the site was responsive across different devices and browsers.
- Custom Drupal Development: Leveraged Drupal's powerful content management capabilities to provide a flexible, user-friendly platform that empowered site administrators to manage content effortlessly, without the need for technical expertise. By integrating the Books module, we structured the syllabus with precision, creating a seamless navigation flow through proper node linking of each page. This approach ensured that educational content was easy to update and access, offering a smooth, intuitive experience for both administrators and end users.
Learning
As a key learning from this project, it became evident that Drupal's flexibility can effectively support the development of a highly interactive and animated user interface with minimal reliance on custom JavaScript. By leveraging Drupal's built-in features, modules, and theming system, complex interactivity and animations can be achieved cost-effectively, without compromising on user experience.
Result
The new website significantly improved user engagement, with longer session durations and higher interaction rates with research content. The streamlined content management system allowed non-technical staff to easily manage and update the site, leading to more frequent and timely content updates. Positive feedback from the target audience, including researchers, policymakers, and students, highlighted a much-improved user experience, making it easier to access and utilise the platform's resources effectively.
