Enhancing Udemy’s Learning Experience: A Product Management Approach to Boost Course Completion.
Online learning has transformed education, offering flexibility and accessibility to millions. However, a persistent challenge remains as many learners struggle to complete courses due to a lack of motivation, accountability, and engagement. As product managers, how can we design solutions that enhance learner retention and success?
Understanding the Problem
Why Do Learners Drop Out?
Research highlights several reasons why online learners fail to complete courses:
Lack of motivation and accountability – Without external support, learners struggle to maintain momentum.
Feelings of isolation – Online learning lacks the collaborative experience of traditional classrooms.
Busy schedules and competing priorities – Many learners struggle to allocate time for their studies.
No clear progress tracking – Without a way to measure achievements, learners feel disconnected from their goals.
According to Stanford research, collaborative learning environments improve engagement and can increase completion rates by up to 16 times. Yet, most online learning platforms fail to integrate meaningful community-driven learning experiences.
User Personas: Who Are We Solving For?
Keziah – The Student Struggling with Motivation
Background: A 20-year-old university student studying graphic design in Abuja, Nigeria.
Learning Goals: Wants to complete online courses on Udemy to enhance her freelance skills.
Challenges: Feels isolated, struggles with consistency, and lacks progress tracking.
Solution: A structured study group feature to foster accountability and engagement.
Raj – The Busy Professional Trying to Stay Competitive
Background: A 32-year-old marketing professional in Lagos, Nigeria.
Learning Goals: Wants to upskill for career growth but finds it hard to balance work, family, and online learning.
Challenges: Struggles with time management, consistency, and staying accountable.
Solution: Progress tracking and goal-setting features for better motivation.
Solution: A Study Group Feature for Online Learning
Key Features
Study Groups for Accountability
Option to join or create study groups for specific courses.
Shared milestones, deadlines, and goals to keep learners engaged.
Peer encouragement with progress-sharing and achievement badges.
Integrated Group Chat for Community Learning
Real-time discussions, Q&A forums, and knowledge-sharing.
Networking opportunities for learners with similar goals.
Weekly discussion prompts to maintain engagement.
Flexible Scheduling & Personalized Reminders
AI-powered personalized learning plans based on availability.
Nudges and reminders for scheduled learning sessions.
Short, bite-sized lessons for busy learners.
Progress Tracking Dashboard
Visual representation of learning milestones.
Weekly progress summaries and peer comparisons.
Streak tracking and gamification (badges, leaderboards).
Product Roadmap: Bringing the Solution to Life
1. User Research & Problem Validation
Conduct surveys and interviews to identify dropout reasons. Collect feedback from learners on potential solutions.
2. UX & Feature Development
Wireframing & Prototyping – Design user flows for study groups & progress tracking.
Initial MVP Release – Enable study groups, progress dashboards, and reminders.
Iterative Improvements – Add real-time chat, peer accountability features, and gamification.
3. Market Launch Strategy
Phase 1: Pre-Launch (Building Awareness & Demand)
Conduct beta testing with Udemy’s high-engagement users.
Partner with instructors to create course-based study groups.
Tease the feature via blogs, emails, and social media.
Phase 2: Soft Launch (Beta Testing & Refinements)
Roll out to select courses (business, marketing, design, etc.).
Gather real-world feedback and iterate on usability.
Promote early success stories to drive adoption.
Phase 3: Full-Scale Rollout
Launch the feature across all courses.
Implement an aggressive marketing campaign (Google Ads, social media, influencer partnerships).
Track performance and continuously optimize engagement strategies.
Online learning holds immense potential, but platforms must evolve to support learners beyond just content delivery. By integrating study groups, real-time discussions, and progress tracking, we can transform online education into a collaborative, engaging, and effective experience.
This approach is not just about solving a business problem. It’s about empowering learners to succeed.
What are your thoughts on improving online learning engagement? Let’s discuss in the comments.