More About My Duolingo Improvement Project

This project strived to make Duolingo more inclusive to users. Based on interviews and field data, we identified five issues with the app: it is only helpful to an extent (i.e. not useful for new language mastery), it caters to a specific learning style, it does not teach new material (i.e. relies on habitual exercises and daily reminders), its non-educational features are underwhelming, and the quality/ accessibility of learning resources differs among languages. The team then brainstormed six potential features and upgrades to resolve these issues. Click below to see the image enlarged.

We utilized six features to address these issues. I created the Notebook feature to allow users access to a variety of different information. This feature permits the user to save tips and hints given by the app, access similar exercises, view instructional videos, and create notes to references- much like a regular school notebook. Click below to see the image enlarged.

I implemented an upgrade to the app's Heart feature, which grants a user five "hearts" (or lives) each day. One heart is removed from the user upon making a mistake. Upon exhaustion, users must wait 24 hours, or purchase more hearts with in-game currency. This upgrade enabled a heart to crack or fracture when a mistake is made, thereby allowing further game progression. Click below to see the image enlarged.

The team also created a tabular listings chart. This chart provided further justification for the importance of our new features, as well as a cost analysis for them. We estimated it would cost Duolingo around $800,000 to implement the new features and keep them updated. Initially, we believed this was too much. However, we soon discovered Duolingo generates roughly $250 million in revenue every year. Click below to see the image enlarged.

Upon asking different users for their opinions on our features, we received generally positive feedback. However, they believed creating instructional videos for each exercise seemed unfeasible- given how many languages Duolingo offers. Also, machine learning algorithms could unintentionally teach bad habits. In conclusion, the users wished for a more accessible language learning app that teaches them in a fun and challenging way. Click below to see the image enlarged.