Stickity Add-on for Google Docs and Slides
// Project Overview
As the creator of Stickity, a Google Workspace add-on for Google Docs and Slides, I embarked on a personal mission to revolutionize how teachers create and deliver student-facing materials. Stickity, conceptualized during my time in the Google Certified Innovators program in 2019, was born out of the need to make classroom materials more accessible and inclusive for all students, especially those with disabilities and English Language Learners. The project took shape over several years, with the pandemic highlighting the critical importance of equipping teachers with the right tools to foster an inclusive learning environment.
// My Role
As the sole creator of Stickity, I was responsible for every aspect of the project—from the initial concept to design, coding, and marketing. This project challenged me to wear multiple hats and taught me the value of perseverance in bringing an idea to life.
// The Problem
During my six years as a computer science teacher in Denver, Colorado, I encountered daily disruptions from students struggling to engage with their classwork. Comments like "you didn't tell me we couldn't talk right now!" or "it's not working" were common. This led to a key realization: many student-facing materials suffer from poor user experience (UX), just like a poorly designed app or website. If students struggle to understand how to use the materials, they disengage from learning. The challenge was to design a solution that would remove these barriers, allowing students to focus on the content itself.
// The Approach
The design of Stickity was informed by research into common IEP accommodations and proven strategies for supporting students with special education needs and English Language Learners. Every aspect of the design was crafted with accessibility in mind, ensuring that the tool not only met legal accessibility standards but also transformed Google Docs and Slides into accessible, user-friendly materials. The development process involved ideation, prototyping, and numerous iterations to refine the user experience and ensure that the final product truly met the needs of both teachers and students.
// The Solution
The final design of Stickity focuses on enhancing the learner experience by providing teachers with digital stickers that meet the diverse needs of their students. With a single sticker, teachers can accommodate students with multilingual backgrounds, dyslexia, hearing loss, vision impairment, trauma, anxiety, and more. Stickity is seamlessly integrated into Google Docs and Slides, offering both free and premium versions. The premium version, launched earlier this year, includes content-specific sticker libraries that help teachers create interactive, subject-specific activities.
// The Impact
Since its launch in March 2023, Stickity has been installed over a million times, transforming classrooms around the world. Teachers have shared their success stories, noting how the tool has made a significant difference in their classrooms. One teacher remarked, "The day I started using Stickity was a game changer for my class—students started taking the time to read all instructions and even began engaging more with my feedback." Another noted the tool's impact on their refugee students, who rely on visual cues for learning.
