Week 5 to 7 – Real Users and What Actually Works

Weeks 5 through 7 were less about adding big new features and more about seeing how SimplrAI holds up with real students. Up until now, most decisions were based on what I thought would be useful. These weeks were about testing that.

I started a basic data collection process to understand how people actually use the platform. I looked at what types of inputs they prefer (notes, PDFs, links), how often they use the chatbot, and whether they engage more with explanations or quizzes. I also paid attention to where things break: confusing outputs, unclear explanations, or points where users just stop using it.

To get a better range of feedback, I tested SimplrAI with students in both the United States and India. The usage patterns were a bit different. Students in India used it more for exam prep and direct concept breakdowns, while students in the U.S. used it more for understanding lectures and assignments. But in both cases, the most used features were the simplified explanations and structured outputs.

Alongside this, I made a few targeted improvements. I refined the quiz generation so questions actually match the material better. I also improved the chatbot’s ability to stay within context, especially during follow-up questions. Another small but useful change was improving the multi-source workflow, so users can combine PDFs, links, and notes more smoothly instead of treating them separately.

Most of the work during these weeks wasn’t that cool or fun, but it made a difference. Small fixes to formatting, clarity, and response accuracy made the platform easier to use overall.

By the end of Week 7, the project started to feel different. It’s now shaped by real usage and feedback from students, rather than just my initial ideas.