Reimagining language e-learning
Reimagining language e-learning
Reimagining language e-learning
Immersive Language Learning App
Immersive Language Learning App
Dates
Dates
August - October 2023 (8 weeks)
August - October 2023 (8 weeks)
Title
Title
Sole UX/UI Designer
Sole UX/UI Designer
Project Type
Project Type
Passion Project
Passion Project
Introduction + Problem
Introduction + Problem
A journey begins
A journey begins
Have you tried learning a language through a mobile app? How successful were you? Have you heard that language learning apps are only a supplement to classes? Or are language appsn't helpful for speaking skills? In 2020, Michigan State University conducted a study using Babbel, a popular subscription-based language learning app and e-learning platform, to answer the question, "How effective are language learning apps?". The more time spent on the app, the higher the scores. as the level of oral proficiency, grammar, and vocabulary was correlated with the amount of time students used the app.
With Japanese being my language of choice, I also wanted to see if there was any research on learning Japanese through language apps. When reading articles and journals about the subject, I came across this tidbit from M. Matsumoto, and Y. Obana on Motivational Factors and Persistence in Learning Japanese as a Foreign Language:
Have you tried learning a language through a mobile app? How successful were you? Have you heard that language learning apps are only a supplement to classes? Or are language appsn't helpful for speaking skills? In 2020, Michigan State University conducted a study using Babbel, a popular subscription-based language learning app and e-learning platform, to answer the question, "How effective are language learning apps?". The more time spent on the app, the higher the scores. as the level of oral proficiency, grammar, and vocabulary was correlated with the amount of time students used the app.
With Japanese being my language of choice, I also wanted to see if there was any research on learning Japanese through language apps. When reading articles and journals about the subject, I came across this tidbit from M. Matsumoto, and Y. Obana on Motivational Factors and Persistence in Learning Japanese as a Foreign Language:
"… We assume that degrees of commitment are correlated with "interest in things related to language learning"; more investment in various things related to language learning will enhance learner commitment, thus, learner persistence."
"… We assume that degrees of commitment are correlated with "interest in things related to language learning"; more investment in various things related to language learning will enhance learner commitment, thus, learner persistence."
What stood out about this study was the focus on why people learn Japanese and their motivations rather than how. Determination and self-regulation are the basis for learning any new skill, and understanding how that can be influenced opens the door for systems to support that behavior.
What stood out about this study was the focus on why people learn Japanese and their motivations rather than how. Determination and self-regulation are the basis for learning any new skill, and understanding how that can be influenced opens the door for systems to support that behavior.
Survey + Interviews
Survey + Interviews
Culture is the biggest motivator
Culture is the biggest motivator
I know why I struggle when learning a language, but what about other people? I used a survey as a recruitment tool for interviews while also learning how people approach language learning and their struggles.
I know why I struggle when learning a language, but what about other people? I used a survey as a recruitment tool for interviews while also learning how people approach language learning and their struggles.
Other survey results:
Other survey results:
On a scale of 1 -10 on how difficult maintaining daily practice, 7 users answered with 9.
On a scale of 1 -10 on how difficult maintaining daily practice, 7 users answered with 9.
Users attribute lack of motivation, difficulty maintaining a routine and limited resources that made learning a language difficult.
Users attribute lack of motivation, difficulty maintaining a routine and limited resources that made learning a language difficult.
"It's the same lessons all the time… I wish there was more variety"
"It's the same lessons all the time… I wish there was more variety"
Next up were interviews. I had 7 people open to being interviewed, but I was only able to talk to 3 of them - 2 learning Japanese and one learning Korean.
Next up were interviews. I had 7 people open to being interviewed, but I was only able to talk to 3 of them - 2 learning Japanese and one learning Korean.
Competitive + Feature Analysis
Competitive + Feature Analysis
Getting down to business
Getting down to business
I looked at both direct and indirect competitors. Many of these apps were geared towards beginners or as supplement learning resources. Thus, lessons and activities were repetitive and boring.
I looked at both direct and indirect competitors. Many of these apps were geared towards beginners or as supplement learning resources. Thus, lessons and activities were repetitive and boring.
Next, I looked at available features from direct competitors. Each app has a different niche specialty (HelloTalk, for example, is learning through language exchange) that adds to the common lesson plan. I thought these niche features were unique and added more engagement to the user's experience.
Next, I looked at available features from direct competitors. Each app has a different niche specialty (HelloTalk, for example, is learning through language exchange) that adds to the common lesson plan. I thought these niche features were unique and added more engagement to the user's experience.
Main Insight
Main Insight
Can't go to Japan? Bring Japan to you
Can't go to Japan? Bring Japan to you
The #1 advice for learning a language is to immerse yourself in the language and culture—which users want, but apps don’t utilize immersion as much as they could. Without living in the country itself, the easiest way to immerse yourself is through media—it’s easy to access, there’s something for everyone, there’s a vast library to choose from, and it’s fun!
The #1 advice for learning a language is to immerse yourself in the language and culture—which users want, but apps don’t utilize immersion as much as they could. Without living in the country itself, the easiest way to immerse yourself is through media—it’s easy to access, there’s something for everyone, there’s a vast library to choose from, and it’s fun!
Persona + Customer Journey
Persona + Customer Journey
Quinn and their journey
Although this was a solo project, I still created a persona as a cheat sheet for myself. I boiled down the survey and interview findings to represent Quinn's goals, needs, motivations and frustrations.
Although this was a solo project, I still created a persona as a cheat sheet for myself. I boiled down the survey and interview findings to represent Quinn's goals, needs, motivations and frustrations.
How would Quinn come across GoKn? What would her experience look like and how would it help her achieve her goals?
How would Quinn come across GoKn? What would her experience look like and how would it help her achieve her goals?
Click here to view a larger image (will open in another tab)
Click here to view a larger image (will open in another tab)
Problem Statement + HMWs
Problem Statement + HMWs
Japanese learners need help to stay motivated because current methods lack engaging activities to foster continuous learning
Japanese learners need help to stay motivated because current methods lack engaging activities to foster continuous learning
How might we integrate immersive experiences to create a more interactive learning environment?
How might we integrate immersive experiences to create a more interactive learning environment?
How might we personalize the learning experience based on individual interests and goals, keeping users motivated and focused?
How might we personalize the learning experience based on individual interests and goals, keeping users motivated and focused?
How might we encourage users to reach their goals through forming habits and incentives?
How might we encourage users to reach their goals through forming habits and incentives?
Features, Flow & Sketches (oh my!)
Features, Flow & Sketches (oh my!)
MVP features for you and me
MVP features for you and me
Relevant Lessons: Go beyond the basics – explore personalized lessons that spark your curiosity and guide your learning journey.
Relevant Lessons: Go beyond the basics – explore personalized lessons that spark your curiosity and guide your learning journey.
Manga Translation: A unique activity for GoKn, translate manga chapters from popular and new series
Manga Translation: A unique activity for GoKn, translate manga chapters from popular and new series
AR Translation: Take a user's learning beyond GoKn by incorporating a way to interact with the world around them.
AR Translation: Take a user's learning beyond GoKn by incorporating a way to interact with the world around them.
Getting into the flow of things
Getting into the flow of things
Click here for a larger image (will open in another tab)
Click here for a larger image (will open in another tab)
Wireframes + Testing
Wireframes + Testing
Slowly coming together
Slowly coming together
Making improvements
Making improvements
UI Design
UI Design
Finishing touches…
Finishing touches…
Final Design
Final Design
Meet Gokn!
Meet Gokn!
