Emily Pope
Research
Redesign
Ed Tech
Personalized Learning Experience
Youtube Learning Hub
Improved intentional learning, measured by the integration of personalized learning paths, goal tracking, and progress milestones, resulting in a more structured and motivating educational experience.
MY ROLE
UX Researcher
UX Designer
PROJECT
Bootcamp Project
TOOLS
Figma
Google Forms
BACKGROUND
Spotting an Opportunity in Youtube’s Experience
YouTube has evolved into a primary destination for self-directed learning, offering tutorials, courses, and educational content across nearly every subject. YouTube has over 2.5 billion monthly active users as of 2026. The platform is available in over 100 countries and supports more than 80 languages.
However, the platform is optimized for engagement and discovery, not for learning progression or retention.
PROBLEM
Hypothesizing for Educational Engagement
Users rely on YouTube for learning because it is fast, accessible, and flexible, but the platform is optimized for passive content consumption rather than active education. As a result, learners struggle to retain knowledge, stay focused, track progress, and develop skills over time. There is an opportunity to create a guided learning experience that supports active participation without sacrificing the flexibility users value.
RESEARCH GOAL
We want to understand how users approach learning on YouTube over time so that we can design experiences that support skill-building, retention, and meaningful progress.
YouTube is heavily used for learning, but primarily for fast problem-solving.
HOW MIGHT WE...
help learners quickly find relevant, high-quality educational content with less distraction?
HOW MIGHT WE...
support both quick learning needs and long-term skill growth in one experience?
HOW MIGHT WE...
improve motivation and retention through personalized guidance and progress tracking?
THE PROBLEM
COMPETITOR RESEARCH
USER RESEARCH
To understand how people use YouTube over time, I conducted a comprehensive research study involving a survey of 41 participants and in-depth interviews with five users. My primary goal was to analyze user learning behaviors, specifically focusing on how individuals navigate between videos and track their progress. I also investigated the factors that motivate users to persist with content or abandon it, while identifying the key barriers to completing longer-form educational material. Ultimately, this research helped me define what users consider successful learning outcomes and how they balance quick problem-solving needs with a desire for deeper skill acquisition.
AFFINITY MAPPING
Although YouTube is effective for quick problem-solving, it lacks the structure required for deeper educational mastery because interfaces often prioritize engagement over educational success, leading to fragmented attention. In contrast, effective learning environments rely on structured components like progress tracking, clear milestones, and feedback loops to maintain accountability. These findings highlight a clear demand for personalized learning paths, reduced friction, and structured progression to support long-term skill acquisition.
PROTOTYPING
Addressing the Engagement-Education Gap
My design challenge was to introduce a high-impact educational experience without disrupting the platform's established brand identity. To achieve this, I developed a dedicated "Learning Hub," where users can build personalized paths, track their progress, and receive mentorship feedback. I also integrated a distraction-free "Learning Mode" to help users stay focused on their specific goals rather than getting lost in the usual feed, providing a much-needed sanctuary for those looking to turn their "doom scrolling" into productive learning.
PROTOTYPING
Addressing the Engagement-Education Gap
My design challenge was to introduce a high-impact educational experience without disrupting the platform's established brand identity. To achieve this, I developed a dedicated "Learning Hub," where users can build personalized paths, track their progress, and receive mentorship feedback. I also integrated a distraction-free "Learning Mode" to help users stay focused on their specific goals rather than getting lost in the usual feed, providing a much-needed sanctuary for those looking to turn their "doom scrolling" into productive learning.