Download - 1.1: Introduction to UX & Design Thinking
Introduction
Vocabulary learning Apps : Duolingo, Deutsche Welle (DW), and Babbel
User: An English speaker who would like to learn German
Operating System: android phone
Vocabulary Learning Apps
DEUTESCHE WELLEDUOLINGO BABBEL
Duolingo Pros
• The app loads very fast and reduces waiting
time for the user which would otherwise make
the user impatient
• On the first page its is clear that the app use is
free forever this makes it attractive for people
looking for a free vocabulary app
• Enables the user to choose how long they
intend to stay on the app by setting a goal.
• Provides a wide range of languages a user can
learn and you can learn more than one
language at the same time
• Provides flexibility to the user to be able to use
the app substantially even without having to
sign up
Duolingo Pros
• As the app sets up the course a message appears
on the screen managing the user’s expectations
that the course is being set up “Sit tight, we’re
setting up the German course for you”
• The app keeps encouraging the user that they are
doing great which in my view is a good motivating
factor for any task.
• Use of voice in the app to read the vocabulary
helps the learner grasp the correct pronunciation
from the get go.
• Makes the user get invested in using the app then
requests for the user to sign up before moving to
the next step but still gives an option for the user to
keep using the app until later if they wish
Duolingo Cons
• The Duolingo plus is expensive for an
average student to afford a monthly
subscription
• Much as the dark mode helps reduce the
effects on the eye, it is a struggle to remove it
and revert to the white mode causing the user
to spend a lot of time which might lead to
uninstalling the app if they don’t like the dark
mode. I would make it flexible for the user to
switch back and forth unless of course the
aim it to migrate all users to the dark mode
• Ads on the free version makes the app a little
bit annoying but it is understandable that one
can pay to get rid of them.
My thoughts
• The app in my view is successful since it has a intuitive user interface and experience
and motivating features that encourages the user to keep going until the next
milestone. I would use this app if it had something like a story tied to it that makes me
want to find out what happens next.
• The app makes learning a new language very easy since it uses the a mix of voice,
pictures to present a word making it easier to learn, memorise and retain
• The app is context based and allows the user to learn a language based on a particular
context and or setting enabling the user to learn a word or phrase that they can use in
an actual setting.
Deutsche Welle Pros
• Provides flexibility to the user to be able to
use the app substantially even without
having to sign up
• Made to cater to the needs of a pro to an
absolute beginner
• Provides an option for a user to take a
placement test if unsure of where they
need to begin
• Provides a context or setting based
learning where one learns words they can
use in an actual real world situation
• Sets out the short and clear learning
objectives in advance for every level
Deutsche Welle Pros
• Uses voice as well as video to help the
learner get the correct pronunciation
• Learning is repetitive to help the user grasp
the knowledge and retain it.
• The learning content is designed in form of a
story for the learner to follow easily
• The app is designed to keep encouraging
the user to keep at it with congratulatory
message after every successful
achievement.
Deutsche Welle Cons
• The App is purely meant to learn German and
not any other language. This might be
disappointing for user who liked it for learning
German and would now like to use it to learn
another language.
My thoughts
• The app uses the story of Nico, a young Spanish man who travels to Germany for the first time without any prior German knowledge and in the process runs in trouble. Many people would relate with Nico’s story and would like to know what happens to Nico next and as a result keep learning. In my view this makes the app successful and I would use it again.
• Its user interface and experience are both great since the app has motivating features that encourages the user to keep going until the next milestone.
• The app is context based and allows the user to learn a language based on a particular context and or setting enabling the user to learn a word or phrase that they can use in an actual setting.
Babbel Pros
• Enables the user to choose how long they
intend to stay on the app per day by setting a
goal.
• Provides a wide range of languages a user
can learn and you can learn more than one
language at the same time translating clearly
from a language a user speaks e.g. I speak
English and I want to learn German
• Provides flexibility to the user to be able to
use the app substantially even without
having to sign up
Babbel Pros
• The app keeps encouraging the user
that they are doing great which in my
view is a good motivating factor for any
task.
• Enables the user to take a placement
test to understand what level to start
learning from
• Establishes user’s motivation to
determine what set of vocabularies to
teach the user for immediate use
Babbel Cons
• The app shows the pricing to the user from
the get go which might put the user off even
before using the app
• The app ask the user of their age at the
beginning which makes the user wonder what
that has got to do with learning the language
and may put them off.
• The app locks some features and needs
payment to unlock them from the beginning
much as it allows some features for the user
to get acquainted with.
My thoughts
• Its user interface great while the experience is not very good since the app
does not provide more options for the user.
• The app is context based and allows the user to learn a language based on
a particular context and or setting enabling the user to learn a word or
phrase that they can use in an actual setting.
• The app is expensive and might put the user off given the cost.
• I think the app is not successful as it puts the user of with the request to
pay and sign up at the beginning.