EDTECH TOOL REVIEW
Duolingo - The Language Learning Hack
Ahmad Abdulla
26 June, 2023
In today's world, learning a new language is essential for communication, social interaction, and personal and professional growth. Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning platforms, with more than 300 million active users worldwide.
As an employee of an edtech company, I have used Duolingo personally and have also seen its impact in classrooms. In this article, I will provide a review of Duolingo as an edtech tool, its key features, benefits, and drawbacks.
1- GAMIFICATION AND PERSONALIZATION
Duolingo's unique selling point is its gamification approach to language learning. The platform uses game-like elements such as levels, rewards, and a point system to keep learners engaged and motivated.
Moreover, Duolingo personalizes learning by adapting to the user's learning style, strengths, and weaknesses. This feature ensures that learners have a personalized learning experience that is relevant to their needs.
2- ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY
Duolingo is a free platform, which means learners can access it from anywhere and at any time without worrying about costs. Moreover, Duolingo is available on multiple devices, including desktop, tablets, and smartphones, making it accessible to learners with different preferences and needs.
3- LIMITED FOCUS ON GRAMMAR AND CONVERSATION
Duolingo's gamification and personalized learning approach are great for vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension. However, the platform has limitations when it comes to grammar and conversation skills. While the platform has introduced conversation practice in some languages, it still lacks the depth and complexity needed to develop conversational fluency. Additionally, Duolingo's approach to grammar is limited, making it difficult for learners to understand the nuances and complexities of the language.
SPRINGRING STAR RATING
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
AN OWL'S OPINION
As an edtech professional, I believe that Duolingo is an excellent tool for language learning. It is engaging, accessible, and effective, and it has a lot of potential for supporting language learning in and out of the classroom. However, it is important to note that Duolingo should not replace the role of a teacher in the classroom, but rather should be used as a supplemental tool to enhance learning and reinforce language skills.
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References:
Bhanot, K., & Scholz, S. (2019). Language Learning with Duolingo: Game-Based Learning and Gamification. International Journal of Game-Based Learning (IJGBL), 9(4), 1-19.
Duolingo. (n.d.). About Duolingo. Retrieved from https://www.duolingo.com/about
Murdock, K. (2019). Using Duolingo to Enhance and Supplement Language Instruction in the Classroom. The Language Educator, 14(5), 45-49.
Vesselinov, R., & Grego, J. (2012). Duolingo Effectiveness Study. Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved from https://s3.amazonaws.com/duolingo-papers/DuolingoEffectivenessStudy.pdf
WRITTEN BY
Ahmed Abdulla
I'm a big sports fan committed and supportive of my favorite soccer team, and that translates into my committment to my work and my teammates. I'm more of a numbers guy and an analytical thinker that works best when the office is quiet and freezing!