In this thought-provoking discussion, technologist Luis von Ahn, the creator of the popular language-learning platform Duolingo, delves into the challenges and strategies of making an educational app as engaging as social media platforms.
He shares his journey of leveraging technology and psychological techniques to democratize education and create a platform that is both accessible and engaging.
The Motivation behind Duolingo
Luis von Ahn, inspired by his personal experiences growing up in Guatemala, aimed to create a platform that would democratize education.
His goal was to make learning accessible to everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background, thereby bridging the education gap globally.
Potential Subjects for Gamification
Subjects learned through repetition, like reading and elementary school math, could potentially be gamified in a similar way to Duolingo.
However, subjects requiring explanations might require different methods, such as instructional videos.
When you’re learning something, you get meaning out of it. Whereas when you’re scrolling for two hours on Instagram, a lot of times afterwards, you feel like you just wasted your time. – Luis von Ahn
The Power of Meaning in Learning
Despite the engagement techniques used, the real power in educational apps like Duolingo lies in the meaning derived from learning.
This internal motivation can supplement the engagement factor, making educational apps appealing to a large audience.
The Power of Technology in Education
The success of Duolingo demonstrates the potential of technology in education.
By making learning accessible and engaging, technology can help bridge the education gap and provide opportunities for individuals worldwide.
The Redistribution of Wealth
The freemium model of Duolingo effectively redistributes wealth, with wealthier users subsidizing the education of users from poorer countries.
This model not only sustains the platform but also promotes equal access to education.
Choosing Language as a Subject
Von Ahn chose to focus on teaching languages, particularly English, due to its potential to increase income and transform lives.
He recognized that learning a language could directly lead to better job opportunities and higher income, especially in poorer countries.
Smartphones as a Tool for Education
Identifying smartphones as a common tool across the globe, Von Ahn leveraged this technology to reach a large number of people.
The development of Duolingo as a mobile application made learning foreign languages accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or economic status.
The Freemium Model
Duolingo operates on a freemium model, providing free learning while offering a paid subscription to remove ads.
This model has proven successful, with wealthier users subsidizing the education of users from poorer countries, effectively redistributing wealth.
Competing with Social Media
To compete with the addictive nature of social media and mobile games, Duolingo incorporated similar engagement techniques.
Concepts like ‘streaks’ and optimal notification times are used to encourage users to return to the app and maintain their progress.
The Balance of Engagement and Meaning
While acknowledging that an educational app can’t match the engagement of social media platforms, Von Ahn argues that the meaningfulness derived from learning can compensate for the slight lack of engagement.
This balance between engagement and meaningfulness is key to the success of educational apps.
The Success of Duolingo
Duolingo’s success in reaching more language learners in the United States than there are students learning languages in all U.S. high schools combined exemplifies the potential of leveraging technology and psychological techniques to democratize education.
Future of Duolingo
Von Ahn envisions a future where screen time is seen as a tool delivering high-quality education to everyone, regardless of their economic status.
He hopes to see the model of Duolingo applied to other subjects, transforming the way we perceive and engage with education.
There are more people learning languages on Duolingo in the United States than there are people learning languages across all US high schools combined. – Luis von Ahn
