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[Proposal] Instructor Dashboard MFE Conversion #459

@SantiagoSuHe

Description

@SantiagoSuHe

Abstract

Abstract

We propose combining the Instructor Dashboard MFE conversion effort with an incremental shift to using Paragon components and modern styling. The initiative aims to:

  • Modernize the Instructor Dashboard UI with Paragon components and minor UX improvements.
  • Separate the instructor tools from their current tab in the LMS into a distinct product experience within a course.

This will enhance usability, ensure design consistency with other parts of the platform, and elevate the instructor experience to the level of other platform products like Studio and LMS.

Detailed Product Proposal

https://openedx.atlassian.net/wiki/x/A4BhMgE

Context & Background (in brief, if a Product Proposal is linked above)

The current Instructor Dashboard:

  • Is implemented using legacy code.
  • Lacks modern frontend patterns and Paragon usage.
  • Is embedded within the LMS course navigation, grouped with learner-facing content.
  • Presents usability challenges due to inconsistent styling, cluttered layout, and misaligned components.

This has relegated instructor tools to a secondary role, making them hard to find and difficult to use.

Axim and WGU are providing development support for this initiative. Schema will provide product and design guidance.

Scope & Approach (in brief, if a Product Proposal is linked above)

This initiative affects only instructor-facing pages. It includes:

A. Conversion to Paragon:

  • All tools in the current Instructor Dashboard (Course Info, Membership, Cohorts, Extensions, Student Admin, Data Download, Open Responses, Bulk Email, Certificates, Reports, others) will be redesigned using Paragon components.

B. Product-Level Navigation Switching:

  • Introduction of a top-level app header dropdown to switch between Learn, Studio, and Instruct, depending on course context.

C. Instructor Course Home:

  • Creation of a new Instructor Home page with its own product URL: /instruct/course/courseurl.
  • This will act as a centralized jumping-off point to all instructor tools.

Persona: Primary beneficiary is course instructors and course teams operating and managing courses.

Value & Impact (in brief, if a Product Proposal is linked above)

The initiative is expected to:

  • Improve usability of instructor tools.
  • Reduce technical debt by removing legacy UI patterns.
  • Increase consistency across the platform through Paragon.
  • Clarify navigation for instructors between Learn, Studio, and Instruct.
  • Elevate the perception and utility of instructor tools as a first-class platform product.

Milestones and/or Epics

Below is an outline of the three major areas of the project, Axim and WGU will assess the effort and develop a replacement for this implementation plan.

Stage 1: Product Level Switching for Courses

  • App Header
  • Page Level CTAs

Stage 2: Introduction of Instruct Course Home

  • Instruct Course Home
  • Navigation for Individual Tool Pages

Stage 3: Convert Instructor Tools to use Paragon

  • Utilize Paragon components for design areas
  • Suggest UI improvements

Named Release

Ulmo / Verawood

Timeline (in brief, if a Product Proposal is linked above)

Dependencies: Axim and WGU dev capacity for implementation; Schema support for design and product guidance.

Proposed By

Schema

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