This isn't my field, but I can imagine it is hard to optimize for learning only since the reward signal is clearly user engagement (meaning subscription revenue). Finding a reward signal that does both, help people learn -and- make money is hard. I am a Duolingo user and I definitely notice the gamification but I really don't know how it would be done better since that gets people engaged in an activity that is associated with learning. This is their whole job to find these signals, but honestly, what is it? What signal would you put in place that would keep users AND actually teach them something?
>… it is hard to optimize for learning only since the reward signal is clearly user engagement (meaning subscription revenue).
Schools can give reward signals for demonstrating subject mastery, or for tuition payment and attendance. It seems like Duolingo gamified the latter instead of the former.
Schools do have other resources Duolingo doesn't: Compulsory attendance (primary education) and certificates/degree programs that are required for jobs and other opportunities. I doubt Duoligno could easily create a meaningful degree/cert program but it could be an avenue to pursue. To drive home the point, would you consider going to a college that wasn't accredited and put in 4 years of effort + tuition? I'm not saying it can't be done but just learning as a goal is really hard to monetize.
Why education should be done for maximal profit? Oh the poor CEO, he just wants to bring more value to shareholders! Clearly folks are fed up with eventual inevitable result.
Things like education or healthcare shouldnt be privatized, since that always eventually ends up as profit-first game. The product suffers since milking is obvious, and quality of service is at best secondary concern.
