Riya Ariwala

Based in Seattle, WA · PDT

Riya Ariwala

Based in Seattle, WA · PDT

Riya Ariwala

Based in Seattle, WA · PDT

Industry

Education Technology

My Role

UX Researcher

Timeline

Mar - Apr 2024 | 3.5 weeks

Reducing Cognitive Load in Canvas LMS Through Smarter Navigation Design

Research Paper →

The Challenge: Navigation Getting in the Way of Learning

Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) is one of the most widely used learning platforms in higher education. While powerful, its navigation often gets in the way of learning.

Students frequently have to:

  • Click through multiple layers

  • Scroll through long, text-heavy module lists

  • Backtrack just to switch between topics

Instead of focusing on coursework, students waste time clicking, scrolling, and guessing. But the deeper issue wasn’t just inefficiency; it was cognitive overload.

Students had to remember module names, scan dense lists, and constantly reorient themselves. The experience didn’t match how they naturally organize information. This mismatch between interface design and user mental models led to frustration and disengagement.

How might we make module navigation in Canvas faster, more intuitive, and less cognitively demanding for students?

What I Learned from Students

I began with a pre-usability study involving 4 students, including both experienced users and first-time users.

Despite different levels of familiarity, the same patterns emerged:

  • Constant backtracking to module lists

  • Mental effort spent remembering module names

  • Interrupted flow before starting actual coursework

To understand why this was happening, I mapped findings to key cognitive principles:

  • Working Memory & Cognitive Load
    Long lists and scrolling strained short-term memory

  • Mental Models
    Students expected a folder-like structure, not linear lists

  • Attention & Visual Perception
    Dense text led to missed information and scanning fatigue

  • Motivation
    Friction reduced focus and engagement

The problem wasn’t just slow navigation—it was mentally demanding. The interface didn’t align with how students think, organize, or switch between tasks.

Design Direction

The research pointed to a clear principle:

Reduce friction by aligning with existing mental models not by adding more features.

I focused on persistent, always-available navigation.

The Idea: Quick-Access Module Menu

I designed a Quick-Access Module Menu that:

  • Stays visible in the left sidebar

  • Allows one-click switching between modules

  • Uses hover previews for faster scanning

This approach mirrors how students already think: like navigating folders or switching tabs.

The Solution

The Quick-Access Module Menu improved the experience in three key ways:

  • Reduced cognitive load
    No more memorizing or excessive scrolling

  • Aligned with mental models
    Familiar, folder-like navigation

  • Maintained learning flow
    Students could switch context without breaking focus

Testing The Solution

To validate the design, I conducted a within-subjects usability study with 8 students (mix of new and experienced users).

Each participant tested:

  • The current Canvas system

  • The Quick-Access Module Menu


SCENARIO

Participants were asked to:

  • Start in Module 3: Human Cognition

  • Pause mid-lecture

  • Switch to Module 2: Human Perception

  • Locate and open relevant content

This simulated a real study behavior: switching context quickly without losing momentum


METRICS COLLECTED

  • Task completion time (seconds)

  • Post-test satisfaction feedback


The Impact: 50% Faster Navigation

  • Current System: 20.39 seconds (avg)

  • Quick-Access Menu: 10.01 seconds (avg)

~50% faster navigation (10.38s improvement)


Participant

Current System
Navigation Time (sec)

Quick-Access Module Menu
Navigation Time (sec)

1

17.13

8.02

2

22.48

11.21

3

14.76

6.89

4

28.32

14.57

5

19.87

9.24

6

12.91

5.98

7

31.45

16.78

8

16.24

7.39


What Users Said

Participants consistently described the new experience as:

  • “Faster”

  • “More organized”

  • “Less overwhelming”

Key Outcome:
By reducing cognitive load, the design didn’t just improve speed it made learning feel smoother and more focused.

Impact & Reflection

  • Reduced navigation time by ~50%

  • Lowered cognitive strain with persistent navigation

  • Improved satisfaction for both new and experienced users

What I Learned

  • Applying cognitive psychology can directly improve UX outcomes

  • Small interaction changes can have a measurable impact

  • Including diverse experience levels (new vs experienced) leads to stronger insights


Next Steps

If I were to take this project further, I would:

  • Scale testing with a larger, more diverse student population

  • Explore integrations with bookmarks and global search

  • Study long-term effects on learning flow and retention