How can Renaissance Learning address the declining usage of myON personalized literacy platform among middle school students in the past semester?

Introduction

Renaissance Learning's myON personalized literacy platform is facing a critical challenge with declining usage among middle school students in the past semester. This issue requires a comprehensive root cause analysis to identify the underlying factors and develop effective solutions. I'll approach this problem systematically, examining both internal and external factors that could be contributing to the decline in usage.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Considering the timing, I'm wondering if there have been any recent updates to the myON platform. Have there been any significant changes to the user interface or content library in the past 3-6 months?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact user engagement. Expected answer: Yes, there was a UI refresh and content update. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on user experience and content relevance.

• Looking at the user segment, I'm curious about the specific grade levels affected. Is the decline uniform across all middle school grades, or is it more pronounced in certain grades?

Why it matters: Different grades may have different needs and preferences. Expected answer: The decline is more significant in 7th and 8th grades. Impact on approach: We'd tailor our solutions to the most affected grade levels.

• Thinking about usage patterns, I'm wondering if the decline is seen in all aspects of the platform or specific features. Are there particular areas of myON that have seen a sharper drop in engagement?

Why it matters: Identifies which features may be underperforming or less appealing. Expected answer: The decline is most noticeable in independent reading sessions. Impact on approach: We'd focus on improving the independent reading experience.

• Considering external factors, has there been any significant change in school policies or curriculum requirements regarding digital literacy platforms in the past semester?

Why it matters: External mandates can significantly impact product usage. Expected answer: No major policy changes, but some schools have introduced new competing platforms. Impact on approach: We'd need to assess our competitive positioning and value proposition.