Modernizing how educational research is taught and understood.

Initial Situation/Problem statement

In qualitative research, there are countless methodologies for conducting studies. And once you have chosen one, it is very hard, if not impossible, to find a clear manual or step-by-step guide on how to progress. The Zurich University of Teacher Education (PHZH) is facing this exact problem when it comes to providing guidance for future teachers.

Project Goal

The aim is to develop a modern and collaborative web application that helps aspiring teachers to navigate the complexities of qualitative research and excel in it.
To achieve this, we set out to create a platform that meets the needs of professors and students equally well. With an intuitive, modular design, anyone should be able to create easy-to-follow learning spaces.

Developed Solution and its benefit

The Online Research Lab (ORLab) provides a comprehensive suite of tools for creating customized learning spaces. By combining a robust backend with a user-tested frontend, our team created a feature-rich application that simplifies the study of qualitative research. Key features include:

• Modular workspaces
  Users can set up their own unique learning journeys through easily customizable workspaces.
• Showcases
  Every submission to a workspace can be made public via a Showcase. This fosters collaboration and strengthens an open-source ethos.
• User access management
  Workspace owners are able to fine-tune access-rights. Ensuring the privacy of data, handling review requests and invitations in the process.
• Feedback on submissions
  With built-in chat functionality, students and lecturers alike can communicate effectively and receive feedback on their work quickly.
• File management
  On ORLab, a variety of files are supported. This ensures that no unnecessary roadblocks are created.
• PDF Annotation
  With an intuitive annotation feature, users can highlight text, leave comments and even draw on PDF documents. All of this can be done inside the application.

The result is a seamless, user-centric platform that directly addresses the needs of modern education. Instead of juggling multiple applications, students and lecturers have a single, unified space for their entire learning process. This holistic approach not only streamlines coursework but actively encourages the kind of interaction, discovery, and detailed feedback that is essential for mastering qualitative research methods.

PHZH has decided to take the project on and is planning to use it with a large number of students, which is something we are extremely proud of.

Testimonial
«We started the Online Research Lab project with little more than an attractive overarching idea. Thanks to the students' intensive involvement in our project and their IT expertise, the truly co-constructive development process has resulted in a functional and attractively designed product that significantly exceeds our original expectations with a range of helpful and productive features.»
Katharina Lüthi & Tobias Leonhard

Key terms

• UI/UX ToolFigma
• Programming languagesTypescript, Java, SCSS
• Frontend StackAngular
• Backend StackSpring Boot
• DatabasePostgreSQL
• Testing FrameworkCypress, K6, Mockito
• Styling LibraryPrimeNG
• Deployment PlatformSwitchEngine, Azure

Customer

PH Zürich
Katharina Lüthi & Tobias Leonhard
Lagerstrasse 2
8090 Zürich
Homepage PHZH

Team

Team
Andrei Oleniuc, Nicolas Yates, Florian Hug, Hebatallah Mostafa, Patrick Bauersfeld, Yannick Kurz, Matthias Liniger
Coach
Norbert Seyff