In what ways can we improve Skillshare's project-based learning to better showcase student progress and achievements?

Introduction

Improving Skillshare's project-based learning to better showcase student progress and achievements is a critical challenge that directly impacts user engagement, retention, and the platform's overall value proposition. To address this, we'll need to consider the unique aspects of Skillshare's ecosystem, including its diverse user base, the variety of courses offered, and the competitive landscape of online learning platforms.

I'll approach this problem by first asking clarifying questions, then segmenting our users, analyzing pain points, generating solutions, evaluating and prioritizing those solutions, and finally proposing metrics to measure success. Let's begin with some key questions to ensure we're aligned on the problem and context.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions

• Looking at Skillshare's project-based learning model, I'm thinking about the current state of progress tracking. Could you share more about the existing features for showcasing student achievements and any data on their usage?

Why it matters: Helps identify gaps in the current system and areas for improvement Expected answer: Basic completion badges, but limited visibility of actual project work Impact on approach: Would focus on enhancing project visibility and creating more granular progress indicators

• Considering the diverse range of courses on Skillshare, I'm curious about the variation in project complexity across different subjects. How do project requirements and completion times typically vary between, say, a graphic design course and a creative writing course?

Why it matters: Influences how we design a flexible yet consistent progress tracking system Expected answer: Significant variation, from quick 1-hour projects to multi-week endeavors Impact on approach: Would need to create an adaptive system that accommodates various project types and durations

• Thinking about user motivation, I'm wondering about the primary drivers for students to showcase their progress. What have you observed about how students currently share their work, both on and off the platform?

Why it matters: Helps us understand user behavior and design features that align with natural sharing tendencies Expected answer: Some sharing on social media, but limited in-platform sharing options Impact on approach: Would explore integrated sharing features and potential community-building elements

• Considering Skillshare's position in the market, I'm interested in understanding how project-based learning and achievement showcasing compare to your main competitors. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for differentiation?

Why it matters: Identifies potential areas for competitive advantage Expected answer: Competitors focus more on course completion rather than project quality Impact on approach: Would emphasize quality of work and practical skill demonstration in our solution