A truly motivating educational experience for refugees

How can the online platform Kiron be designed in such a way that it opens up long-term prospects and creates a sense of community among refugees? The non-profit organization Kiron Open Higher Education approached a team of HPI d-school students with this question. The challenge: "Redesign the Kiron learning experience for refugees and minorities, to improve learner recruitment, provide effective guidance, and increase the retention rates, so that they can be better prepared for the job market in DACH and Jordan". 

Thanks to Kiron, tens of thousands of aspiring refugees are being supported in starting to study at German universities. Many Kiron users are already highly qualified and very motivated to further develop their skills. Having left their familiar surroundings behind, however, they encounter language barriers, bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of recognition - both for their previous achievements and for their efforts in everyday life and on the learning platform. Many would therefore like their efforts to be more recognised. 

Users often find the learning platform confusing and isolating; they would like more structure and opportunities for dialogue. For refugees in particular, social connectedness is fundamental to feeling integrated in their new home. The HPI d-school team realised that genuine connection among learners was missing. They perceived this to be a central issue because it is a key factor in maintaining motivation in the long term. So what can an educational platform look like that meets these challenges while not only transferring knowledge, but also motivating people to learn and helping them to connect with other students?

The HPI d-school team realized the solution lay in empathy for and recognition of Kiron user's efforts. The team conducted interviews with refugees, both Kiron users and attendees of in-person language courses. The conversations showed that many Kiron users feel left alone. They want clear learning paths, feedback on their progress and a community which thrives on mutual support. Based on these insights, the team developed a prototype for the Kironeer Status System: a visually appealing, gamified learning journey that guides users through different levels, ranging from "Beginner" to "Volunteer". In that way, their progress is made visible and community involvement is rewarded. On the one hand, this creates a clear structure, while on the other, the students' motivation and dedication to their educational goals are truly valued. 
To promote mutual support amongst users, learners can support other users on their learning journey after completing all levels and receive a certificate for their commitment.

The prototype of the Kironeer Status System was tested, updated and specified several times - with an impressive response from its testers. The findings from interviews and prototype tests clearly showed that the recognition of users' learning progress and community involvement strengthen the students' motivation and thus also increase the retention rate on the platform in the long term. With the HPI d-school prototype, Kiron now has a well-engineered concept that is both technically feasible and fits in with existing structures. And above all: one that not only educates people, but empowers them.