Case study: Concept app on enhancing memorization for language learners
Overview
It is known that learning a foreign language is a long process. Self taught learners usually find difficulties in vocabulary and grammar memorization. Constantly forgetting new knowledge can be frustrating. As a result, people tend to give up learning new languages in a short period of time. I found great opportunities in solving this problem. So I started this project to design a conceptual app with the intention to enhance memorization for language learners in their learning process.
Design Question
How might we elevate memorization of language learners and encourage them to become an efficient learner?
Research
Based on article research on memory, it is normal that human memory weakens over time. German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered the “forgetting curve”. If we take no actions on revisiting new information, our ability to remember will decrease day by day.
Curiosity makes our brains more receptive for learning, it makes the learning process more effective and enjoyable. If knowledge is made meaningful and playful, it will be much easier to remember.
The presentation of information is also crucial. People tend to have a better memory of more clearly designed and logically organized content while learning.
Through Ebbinghaus’ research, he suggested the “spaced learning” method. Consistent knowledge refreshment will halt the forgetting curve. It’s not hard to find that repetition is crucial in the learning process.
User Interviews
To have a better understanding from a user perspective, I interviewed 6 people who have struggles with memory problems in learning a second language. I prepared these 5 questions in the interview:
When was the last time you learned a new language? Why?
What makes you most frustrated in the language learning process?
How do you usually memorize new vocabulary or grammar?
Tell me about a time when you had problems memorizing vocabulary and how did you achieve it in the end?
Can you think of anything that would benefit you in language learning memorization?
Most of my interviewees (4 out of 6) began their learning journey because they are interested in the culture or history of the corresponding country. It will be a benefit for them to adopt the language that they can communicate easily when they travel abroad.
Frustrations from interviewees:
Wish there could be:
Competitive Analysis
I searched in the market and downloaded several top memorization apps, they are all gamification focused designs and none of them is language learning related. Then, I kept searching and tried to find some other memory apps that would be beneficial for language learners.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many related apps in the market, and the apps I searched with good ratings are quite difficult to use. I picked Anki and Spaced Repetition.
Persona
Based on my research and user interview, I created the assumptive persona. Additionally with a user background story, frustrations and goals in order to help me have a better understanding of the potential users.
Ideate
After creating the persona I started the ideation by brainstorming myself, in this stage, I tried to be open about all possible solutions. Then I went back to my research to think holistically, which I narrowed down to three potential options: a website, a smart recording machine and a mobile app. As time is limited, finally, I chose to design a mobile app as my solution, for it’s the most efficient and convenient means for my users.
Sketch
As I decided on making an app for this project, I started to sketch several main feature pages based on my research, interviews and hypothesized persona. Memorizing information is not an easy job, so I want to design a simple and elegant app that users won’t get overwhelmed by large contents. The three main features are: take a memory test, modify memory board and track memorization progress.
User testing
I created my first version of the prototype and tested it with several people. They gave me some great feedback on how to make the prototype more logical and have a better user flow.
Sign in process needs to be clearer and more professional.
Confirmation of the test answer should be clearer.
Answers and hints are looking so similar. Need more hierarchy in design.
Buttons are everywhere, make it consistent.
Adding new memory features can be involved somewhere easier to find.
Iterations
After I gathered the feedback from the first prototype user testing, I made some key iterations as below.
Sitemap
Before I move on to the final design, I made the sitemap, this will help me have a clearer idea of the whole structure of the product.
Final Design
Takeaways
This UX project was created by myself for the first time. I learned a lot through the process. Here’re some key points I gained and I think they will be helpful for future projects.
The importance of user research and interview
As a solo project and time consuming, I didn’t have much time doing a large scale of a consolidated survey, still user interview and research can provide me with great insights, which support my design options later on.
Do as more iterations as possible
Don’t settle too quickly for the final visuals. Talk to as many people as possible for feedback and go back and forth, rethink about the structure and interface. Always ask if there is a better way.
Potential strategy developments for the app
Language learning memorization is the first goal of this project, if this method is efficient for the users, there will be a great potential that the function range could be increased to other subjects (e.g. mathematical or chemical equations, unique terms or special materials from history books)
Thank you for reading! Glad to hear your feedback! 😊
