How to make learning as addictive as social media | Luis von Ahn
Dec 8, 2023
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Technologist Luis von Ahn discusses how Duolingo uses the addictive nature of social media and mobile games to make learning exciting. He explains the importance of equal access to education, engaging users through streaks and notifications, and the future of learning through gamification and mobile technology.
Mobile learning can be made addictive and accessible by applying the techniques used by social media and mobile games.
Gamifying education through apps like Duolingo increases user engagement and makes learning more enjoyable.
Deep dives
The Power of Mobile Learning
Mobile learning has gained popularity with the rise of apps and virtual classes, allowing individuals to access education on the go. With smartphones, 30% of users are leveraging their devices for mobile learning, transforming digital addiction into a valuable learning opportunity. Influencers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok are bringing micro doses of learning to their followers by sharing new words and expanding vocabulary. The gamification of learning through apps like Duolingo has made it more accessible and convenient, with language learning being particularly popular due to its potential to improve income potential for many individuals.
Duolingo: Making Learning Engaging
Duolingo, an educational language-learning app, has successfully transformed education into an engaging and addictive experience by using psychological techniques employed by social media and mobile games. Techniques such as streaks, where users maintain a consecutive learning record, and notifications that strategically remind users to learn have significantly increased user engagement. The app's freemium model, where users can learn for free with occasional ads or choose to subscribe and remove ads, ensures accessibility for all, while allowing wealthier users to financially support the education of others. By applying similar methods to other subjects, education can be made more enjoyable and accessible for millions of people worldwide.
Delivering Quality Education with Smartphones
While smartphones equipped with addictive applications like TikTok and Instagram pose a challenge for delivering education, they also present an opportunity to reach a vast audience. By making educational apps engaging and utilizing techniques used by popular social media platforms, education can become a valuable and sought-after activity. The power of repetition and the ability to gamify subjects that require practice and repetition can make learning enjoyable and effective. For subjects that require explanations or deeper understanding, high-quality videos can complement the mobile learning experience. The goal is to create a future where screen time is no longer frowned upon, but instead recognized as a means of delivering high-quality education to all, regardless of socio-economic status.
When technologist Luis von Ahn was building the popular language-learning platform Duolingo, he faced a big problem: Could an app designed to teach you something ever compete with addictive platforms like Instagram and TikTok? He explains how Duolingo harnesses the psychological techniques of social media and mobile games to get you excited to learn — all while spreading access to education across the world.