Makey
Makey
Online education platform to help self-paced online learners stay motivated
Online education platform to help self-paced online learners stay motivated
Challenge
Challenge
Support self-paced online learners in staying motivated and completing courses by addressing the lack of engagement, accountability.
Support self-paced online learners in staying motivated and completing courses by addressing the lack of engagement, accountability.
Opportunity
Opportunity
Build a platform that enhances learning through personalized support, gamification, and collaboration, driving higher course completion rates and user success.
Build a platform that enhances learning through personalized support, gamification, and collaboration, driving higher course completion rates and user success.
Type
Type
Self-directed Project
Self-directed Project
Role
Role
User ResearchUser Experience Design
Interaction Design
User ResearchUser Experience Design
Interaction Design
Tools
Tools
Figma
Figma
Timeline
Timeline
May - Aug 2024
May - Aug 2024
Discovery
Discovery
Define
Define
Develop
Develop
Deliver
Deliver
Let’s have a quick overview first.
Let’s have a quick overview first.
The challenge
Self paced online learners are continuously increasing,
but why the majority of them fail to complete their courses?
Self paced online learners are continuously increasing,
but why the majority of them fail to complete their courses?
The self-paced e-learning market has seen rapid growth after Covid-19, valued at $21.5 billion in 2024.
However, the completion rates for these courses remain strikingly low, averaging only 5–15%.
The self-paced e-learning market has seen rapid growth after Covid-19, valued at $21.5 billion in 2024.
However, the completion rates for these courses remain strikingly low, averaging only 5–15%.
The self-paced e-learning market has seen rapid growth after Covid-19, valued at $21.5 billion in 2024.
However, the completion rates for these courses remain strikingly low, averaging only 5–15%.
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
How might we help self-paced online learners stay motivated to complete their courses within their timeline by increasing accountability and providing more interaction?
How might we help self-paced online learners stay motivated to complete their courses within their timeline by increasing accountability and providing more interaction?
Solution
Solution
Makey, the Key to Successful Learning
Makey, the Key to Successful Learning
Makey is an online education platform designed to empower e-learners by constantly motivating them and enhancing accountability.
Makey is an online education platform designed to empower e-learners by constantly motivating them and enhancing accountability.
Goal-Driven Motivation
Goal-Driven Motivation
Help users set daily and weekly goals alongside long-term objectives, providing regular reminders to support goal achievement and enhance motivation.
Help users set daily and weekly goals alongside long-term objectives, providing regular reminders to support goal achievement and enhance motivation.
Ongoing Progress Monitoring
Ongoing Progress Monitoring
Allow users to track their progress continuously to motivate users and implement a rewarding system with badges.
Allow users to track their progress continuously to motivate users and implement a rewarding system with badges.
Engaging Learning Spaces
Engaging Learning Spaces
Address the low interaction issue by providing opportunities to study with other users such as live study sessions, challenges, and start-course-together features to enhance motivation and accountability.
Address the low interaction issue by providing opportunities to study with other users such as live study sessions, challenges, and start-course-together features to enhance motivation and accountability.
Fast-Track Certification Courses
Fast-Track Certification Courses
Provide career-related courses that can be completed within a couple week, considering higher completion rates for shorter courses and those offering certificates.
Provide career-related courses that can be completed within a couple week, considering higher completion rates for shorter courses and those offering certificates.
How did it start?
How did it start?
Design process
Design process
Optimizing the double diamond design process
Optimizing the double diamond design process
I chose to use the double diamond design thinking process to solve this challenge.
I chose to use the double diamond design thinking process to solve this challenge.
Project background
Project background
Increased demand and unresolved challenges in online education
Increased demand and unresolved challenges in online education
After COVID-19, the MOOC(Massive Open Online Course) market has grown rapidly, serving over 110 million learners on platforms like Coursera and Udemy. The global market of MOOCs valued at $13.2 billion in 2024, it is projected to reach $212.7 billion by 2034 as learners increasingly seek flexible, accessible education.
However, with completion rates averaging only 5-15%, compared to 80% for cohort-based programs. This gap reflects the need for solutions to improve learner engagement in MOOCs.
After COVID-19, the MOOC(Massive Open Online Course) market has grown rapidly, serving over 110 million learners on platforms like Coursera and Udemy. The global market of MOOCs valued at $13.2 billion in 2024, it is projected to reach $212.7 billion by 2034 as learners increasingly seek flexible, accessible education.
However, with completion rates averaging only 5-15%, compared to 80% for cohort-based programs. This gap reflects the need for solutions to improve learner engagement in MOOCs.
Finding 01
Finding 01
Finding 01
The MOOC market is growing
rapidly, with a projected global growth rate of
The MOOC market is growing
rapidly, with a projected global growth rate of
32%
32%
CAGR (2023 to 2024)
CAGR (2023 to 2024)
Global Massive Open Online Course Market
Finding 02
Finding 02
Finding 02
Self-paced online courses face a significant challenge, with completion rates averaging only
Self-paced online courses face a significant challenge, with completion rates averaging only
5-15%
5-15%
https://rikunert.github.io/mooc_completions
https://rikunert.github.io/mooc_completions
Completion Rates of MOOC Programs
Let’s uncover the reasons why.
Let’s uncover the reasons why.
User survey
User survey
Exploring learners' experiences with self-paced online courses
Exploring learners' experiences with self-paced online courses
I conducted surveys to understand what users need. Survey responses revealed that career advancement is the top reason for enrolling in MOOCs. This data proves the importance of certification as an incentive for learners looking to advance their careers.
Learners highlighted Lack of Motivation and Difficulty of time management as primary challenges to completion. These insights helped me to find design decisions, leading me to integrate goal setting and progress tracking, community support features for constant motivation.
I conducted surveys to understand what users need. Survey responses revealed that career advancement is the top reason for enrolling in MOOCs. This data proves the importance of certification as an incentive for learners looking to advance their careers.
Learners highlighted Lack of Motivation and Difficulty of time management as primary challenges to completion. These insights helped me to find design decisions, leading me to integrate goal setting and progress tracking, community support features for constant motivation.
What was your primary motivation for enrolling in a MOOC?
What was your primary motivation for enrolling in a MOOC?
What challenges did you face in completing your MOOC?
What challenges did you face in completing your MOOC?
User interview
User interview
Understanding self-paced online learning experiences
Understanding self-paced online learning experiences
After conducting a survey, I decided to conduct interviews to gain a deeper understanding of users' experiences with self-paced online courses. To ensure smooth and insightful conversations, I prepared the following questions to guide the interviews.
After conducting a survey, I decided to conduct interviews to gain a deeper understanding of users' experiences with self-paced online courses. To ensure smooth and insightful conversations, I prepared the following questions to guide the interviews.
Affinity Mapping
Affinity Mapping
Connecting dots: organizing user needs and insights
Connecting dots: organizing user needs and insights
Based on the interviews conducted with five e-learners, I proceeded an affinity mapping to derive insights from the user research.
Based on the interviews conducted with five e-learners, I proceeded an affinity mapping to derive insights from the user research.
What are the key points from research phase?
What are the key points from research phase?
Why do people choose to take self-paced online courses?
Why do people choose to take self-paced online courses?
The well-known benefits of MOOCs are anywhere, anytime. Also, MOOCs offer high-quality classes at affordable prices that can help your career development. So people who can not commit a huge portion of their time to the courses but still want growth when it comes to their upskilling or transition into new careers.
The well-known benefits of MOOCs are anywhere, anytime. Also, MOOCs offer high-quality classes at affordable prices that can help your career development. So people who can not commit a huge portion of their time to the courses but still want growth when it comes to their upskilling or transition into new careers.
Career Advancement
Career Advancement
5/5 interviewee said
All interviewees shared career-related motivations for taking self-paced online courses. This aligns with broader findings showing that 74% of online learners choose these courses with career-focused goals in mind
All interviewees shared career-related motivations for taking self-paced online courses. This aligns with broader findings showing that 74% of online learners choose these courses with career-focused goals in mind
Why do e-learners stop taking courses?
Why do e-learners stop taking courses?
Even though MOOCs offer high-quality learning content, not everyone completes them. Through interviews with learners, the primary reason identified was a lack of motivation. While some stopped because the course didn't meet their expectations or other priorities arose, the common reason was that the courses themselves often failed to provide sufficient motivation to keep learners engaged.
Even though MOOCs offer high-quality learning content, not everyone completes them. Through interviews with learners, the primary reason identified was a lack of motivation. While some stopped because the course didn't meet their expectations or other priorities arose, the common reason was that the courses themselves often failed to provide sufficient motivation to keep learners engaged.
Insufficient
Engagement
Insufficient
Engagement
5/5 interviewee said
It is not easy to interact with peers and instructors on MOOC platforms. It is difficult to ask questions right away and can not see class mate’s progress and get reviews from peers.
It is not easy to interact with peers and instructors on MOOC platforms. It is difficult to ask questions right away and can not see class mate’s progress and get reviews from peers.
Expectation VS Reality
Expectation VS Reality
4/5 interviewee said
Sometimes people find those courses were not what they were expected, require more time than expected, or make it hard to stay committed. Addressing these gaps is key to keeping learners engaged and motivated.
Sometimes people find those courses were not what they were expected, require more time than expected, or make it hard to stay committed. Addressing these gaps is key to keeping learners engaged and motivated.
Lask of Motivation
Lask of Motivation
4/5 interviewee said
Many participants shared that online classes often take a backseat to other pressing priorities. Additionally, when courses demand more time than initially expected, maintaining focus and commitment becomes increasingly challenging.
Many participants shared that online classes often take a backseat to other pressing priorities. Additionally, when courses demand more time than initially expected, maintaining focus and commitment becomes increasingly challenging.
Ah-ha moment
Ah-ha moment
Based on user research, I created an affinity map to organize insights about why people choose to take online classes and what blockers people have to complete courses. This helped me better understand users' needs and identify pain points.
Here’s main insight form user research.
Based on user research, I created an affinity map to organize insights about why people choose to take online classes and what blockers people have to complete courses. This helped me better understand users' needs and identify pain points.
Here’s main insight form user research.
Findings
Insights
Career Focus
Career Focus
MOOC participants primarily take courses to advance their careers.
MOOC participants primarily take courses to advance their careers.
Goal-Driven Learning
Goal-Driven Learning
Design courses with clear career advancement pathways and certification upon completion to attract participants.
Design courses with clear career advancement pathways and certification upon completion to attract participants.
Motivation Struggles
Motivation Struggles
Maintaining consistent motivation is a common challenge for MOOC learners.
Maintaining consistent motivation is a common challenge for MOOC learners.
Motivational Tools
Motivational Tools
Implementing features that improve motivation, such as setting goals and using progress reminders, can help learners stay committed.
Implementing features that improve motivation, such as setting goals and using progress reminders, can help learners stay committed.
Lack of Interaction
Lack of Interaction
Many learners feel that low interaction in MOOCs affects their low motivation and accountability.
Many learners feel that low interaction in MOOCs affects their low motivation and accountability.
Interactive Elements
Interactive Elements
Enhancing the interactive aspects such as live study sessions and challenge can improve user engagement and accountability.
Enhancing the interactive aspects such as live study sessions and challenge can improve user engagement and accountability.
Discovery
Define
Develop
Deliver
Discovery
Discovery
Define
Define
Develop
Develop
Deliver
Deliver
So, what is the problem here?
So, what is the problem here?
Competitive analysis 01
Competitive analysis 01
Why do cohort-based programs achieve higher completion rates than MOOCs?
Why do cohort-based programs achieve higher completion rates than MOOCs?
Cohort-based programs show significantly higher completion rates compared to MOOCs. We conducted this comparison to identify actionable strategies we can implement to enhance user engagement and improve course completion outcomes.
Cohort-based programs show significantly higher completion rates compared to MOOCs. We conducted this comparison to identify actionable strategies we can implement to enhance user engagement and improve course completion outcomes.
Competitive analysis 02
Competitive analysis 02
How are our competitors running their platforms and supporting students’ learning?
How are our competitors running their platforms and supporting students’ learning?
While not all MOOCs provide course completion rate data, platforms like Coursera and edX, with above-average completion rates, offer features like deadlines, progress tracking, and peer review for engagement.
Makey builds on these strengths, adding personalized support and collaboration tools to help learners achieve their goals.
While not all MOOCs provide course completion rate data, platforms like Coursera and edX, with above-average completion rates, offer features like deadlines, progress tracking, and peer review for engagement.
Makey builds on these strengths, adding personalized support and collaboration tools to help learners achieve their goals.
Problem Definition
Problem Definition
How might we help self-paced online learners stay motivated to complete their courses within their timeline by increasing accountability and providing more interaction?
How might we help self-paced online learners stay motivated to complete their courses within their timeline by increasing accountability and providing more interaction?
Persona
Persona
Diving into our users' needs and expectations
Diving into our users' needs and expectations
Based on user interviews, we decided to create two personas to better understand the users' goals and pain points.
User journey mapping
User journey mapping
Understanding pain points and design solutions through Sarah's story
Understanding pain points and design solutions through Sarah's story
After creating personas, we created a user journey map to identify detailed pain points throughout the overall user experience, based on the story of our representative persona, Sarah.
From this, we concluded that users are likely to need assistance and guidance during the support and reflection phases, which directly informed the design decisions for improving the user experience.
After creating personas, we created a user journey map to identify detailed pain points throughout the overall user experience, based on the story of our representative persona, Sarah.
From this, we concluded that users are likely to need assistance and guidance during the support and reflection phases, which directly informed the design decisions for improving the user experience.
Discovery
Discovery
Define
Define
Develop
Develop
Deliver
Deliver
Let’s get closer to the solution.
Let’s get closer to the solution.
Ideation
Ideation
Converging ideas through brainstorming
Converging ideas through brainstorming
We conducted a brainstorming session to have ideas for potential solutions. This begged the questions of
How might we can help e-learners stay motivated to complete their courses?
How might we ensure that online learners remain accountable and prioritize their studies effectively?
leading us to the high-level objectives that guided my design of Makey.
We conducted a brainstorming session to have ideas for potential solutions. This begged the questions of
How might we can help e-learners stay motivated to complete their courses?
How might we ensure that online learners remain accountable and prioritize their studies effectively?
leading us to the high-level objectives that guided my design of Makey.
User Flow
User Flow
Designing engaging and manageable user experience
Designing engaging and manageable user experience
Once we had a clear idea of the solution to develop further, we created a task flow diagram to visualize the user’s journey of setting and achieving weekly goals. This helped solidify how users could become more engaged and motivated in the process.
Once we had a clear idea of the solution to develop further, we created a task flow diagram to visualize the user’s journey of setting and achieving weekly goals. This helped solidify how users could become more engaged and motivated in the process.
Wireframe
Wireframe
Translating the proposed solutions into visual elements
Translating the proposed solutions into visual elements
After finalizing the task flow, we translated the user journey into wireframes to establish the foundation for the platform's design.
After finalizing the task flow, we translated the user journey into wireframes to establish the foundation for the platform's design.
How did it work?
How did it work?
User testing
User testing
Iterating solutions through the voices of our users
Iterating solutions through the voices of our users
After creating the wireframe, we carried out user testing with five participants during the prototyping phase to explore ways to enhance user motivation and engagement. Additionally, three feedback sessions with tech industry experts were held, leading to significant design improvements
After creating the wireframe, we carried out user testing with five participants during the prototyping phase to explore ways to enhance user motivation and engagement. Additionally, three feedback sessions with tech industry experts were held, leading to significant design improvements
HIghlighted Improve user engagement
HIghlighted Improve user engagement
Enhanced the platform to encourage active participation by integrating intuitive action-oriented buttons like “Continue Course.” These updates streamline user journeys, making it easier to maintain focus and motivation.
Enhanced the platform to encourage active participation by integrating intuitive action-oriented buttons like “Continue Course.” These updates streamline user journeys, making it easier to maintain focus and motivation.
Highlighted simplified data: numerical data > complex graphs
Highlighted simplified data: numerical data > complex graphs
Presented information with a focus on numerical data rather than complex graphs, allowing users to interpret progress and achievements more quickly and efficiently.
Presented information with a focus on numerical data rather than complex graphs, allowing users to interpret progress and achievements more quickly and efficiently.
Simplified navigation by organizing into clear, prioritized categories.
Simplified navigation by organizing into clear, prioritized categories.
Presented information with a focus on numerical data rather than complex graphs, allowing users to interpret progress and achievements more quickly and efficiently.
Presented information with a focus on numerical data rather than complex graphs, allowing users to interpret progress and achievements more quickly and efficiently.
Now, let’s see the final prototype.
Now, let’s see the final prototype.
Prototype
Prototype
Online education platform empowers users to aheive their goals
Online education platform empowers users to aheive their goals
Two rounds of user testing involving six participants were conducted following the wireframing and prototyping phases. Additionally, three feedback sessions with six industry experts were held, leading to three significant design improvements.
Two rounds of user testing involving six participants were conducted following the wireframing and prototyping phases. Additionally, three feedback sessions with six industry experts were held, leading to three significant design improvements.
How can I improve next time?
How can I improve next time?
Conslusion
Conslusion
What will be the next steps?
What will be the next steps?
Conduct additional usability tests to refine the user flow and enhance the user experience.
Finalize the onboarding experience to ensure a smooth and engaging introduction for new users.
Integrate AI into a high-fidelity prototype to deliver a more personalized and dynamic learning experience.
Launch analytical dashboards to monitor user progress and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
Conduct additional usability tests to refine the user flow and enhance the user experience.
Finalize the onboarding experience to ensure a smooth and engaging introduction for new users.
Integrate AI into a high-fidelity prototype to deliver a more personalized and dynamic learning experience.
Launch analytical dashboards to monitor user progress and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
Reflection
Reflection
What are key takeaways?
What are key takeaways?
• Validated assumptions through early user testing, iterating solutions to align with real user needs.
• Recognized the importance of understanding target users and conducting market research to create user-focused designs.
• Appreciated the value of planning with a double-diamond framework, incorporating iterative processes to optimize time management.
• Validated assumptions through early user testing, iterating solutions to align with real user needs.
• Recognized the importance of understanding target users and conducting market research to create user-focused designs.
• Appreciated the value of planning with a double-diamond framework, incorporating iterative processes to optimize time management.