VocaLearn
Project Overview
Challenge
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VocaLearn aims to create a comprehensive vocabulary learning app tailored for enthusiasts seeking to expand their word knowledge. Inspired by platforms like goodreads.com, VocaLearn is dedicated to providing a user-centric experience by integrating features and functionalities that enhance usability and enjoyment. In addition to core functionalities such as tracking owned words, completed lessons, and upcoming learning goals, VocaLearn plans to leverage mobile technology fully. This includes implementing features like OCR-enabled book scanning for automated input, interactive notifications to maintain user engagement, and progress tracking with potential gamification elements to make the learning process more dynamic and rewarding.
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Furthermore, VocaLearn is committed to fostering a vibrant community of language learners. Through interactive discussion forums, live study sessions, and collaborative challenges, users will have the opportunity to engage with fellow learners, exchange tips, and motivate each other on their learning journeys. VocaLearn envisions a platform where users not only enhance their vocabulary but also forge connections and share their passion for language learning in a supportive and dynamic environment.
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Project Scope
Empower people to learn new vocabulary
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Tools​
Adobe Photoshop​
Microsoft PowerPoint
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Role
UX Designer​
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Duration
1 Week
Objectives
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Empower people to learn new vocabulary.
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Design Process
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​01 Competitor Research
​02 User Research
03 User Needs and Personas​
​04 User Flows and Analysis
05 Wireframing and Prototyping​
06 Usability Testing
​07 Storytelling
01 Competitor Research
Research Goals:
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Analyze the effectiveness of vocabulary learning apps in facilitating language acquisition.
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Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of popular vocabulary learning apps such as Memrise, Flashcards, and another unnamed app.
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Identify key features and strategies employed by these apps to enhance vocabulary retention and learning outcomes.
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Assumptions:
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Vocabulary learning apps play a significant role in supplementing traditional language learning methods.
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The success of vocabulary learning apps relies on factors such as usability, engagement, and effectiveness in facilitating long-term retention.
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User preferences and learning styles may vary, impacting the perceived pros and cons of each app.
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The analysis assumes that the features and functionalities of the selected apps accurately reflect their overall effectiveness in aiding vocabulary acquisition.
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Methodologies:
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Conducted in-depth exploration and hands-on experience with each app to assess their user interface, functionality, and educational effectiveness.
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Reviewed existing literature and user feedback to gain insights into the strengths and weaknesses of vocabulary learning apps.
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Utilized surveys or interviews to gather user perspectives and experiences with the selected apps.
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Employed comparative analysis techniques to identify patterns, trends, and differences among Memrise, Flashcards, and the third vocabulary learning app.
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Evaluated the apps based on criteria such as usability, content quality, gamification elements, progress tracking, and community features.
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02 User Research
Completing the task of conducting concise interviews/questionnaires with 3 to 5 people about vocabulary learning proved to be highly beneficial for my research on user habits and behaviors. Drawing on my own network, I reached out to individuals with diverse backgrounds and language learning experiences. The simplicity of the script allowed for smooth and focused interviews, each lasting under 20 minutes.
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Through these questionnaires, I gained valuable insights into how users engage with vocabulary learning apps. Participants shared their preferences, challenges, and motivations when using such apps. Understanding their habits, such as frequency of use, preferred features, and learning goals, provided me with a clearer picture of user behaviors in this context.
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Furthermore, the questionnaires helped identify common pain points and areas for improvement in existing vocabulary learning apps. Participants' feedback highlighted the importance of personalized learning experiences, interactive features, and social/community aspects in enhancing engagement and retention.
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Overall, these questionnaires served as a foundational step in my research, informing subsequent analyses and guiding the development of user-centric recommendations for optimizing vocabulary learning apps. The firsthand perspectives shared by participants proved invaluable in shaping my understanding of user needs and preferences in this domain.
03 User Needs & Personas
Successfully completing the task of creating a primary persona for my project was an illuminating experience that allowed me to exercise my creativity while ensuring the persona remained realistic and relatable. By synthesizing insights from user interviews, market research, and empathy exercises, I crafted 3 - 4 personas as I wanted to a variety of scenarios in which I could set and portray the VocaLearn app as the solution for the issues that each person had.
04 User Flows & Analysis
To address the main task of our persona, which is to learn vocabulary in a short, fun, and interactive way, I visualized how they will navigate through our application's information space using user flows and task analyses.
In order to tackle the primary objective of a different persona, which is to compose a message on the VocaLearn app's community page, I employed task analyses and user flows to illustrate how they will traverse the application's information space.
