Redesigning Udemy: Increasing Course Completion Through a Quiz Rewards System

A UX case study for Udemy that turns passive course progress into a more engaging and rewarding learning experience

My Role : Lead WEB & Mobile UI/UX Design, Information Architect

Team : 3 Member

Duration: 1.3 Month

Volunteer : Udemy CO- Design Event

Tools & Responsibilities: UX Research, Information Architecture, User Flows, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing UI/UX Design / Information Architecture & Content Strategy Dev offs/ Navigation bar Layouts / Labeling/ LO-FI, HI-FI Wireframing/ Prototyping/ UX Research / User Testing

Screenshot of Udemy website homepage on a MacBook Air, featuring a welcome message to 'Muskan' and a graphic of a woman relaxing on a couch with various digital icons around her.
Mobile phone screen displaying a greeting to Muskan Rathore, a UX Designer, with a cartoon illustration of a person sitting on a lounge chair, using a mobile device, surrounded by icons related to coding, emails, and storage. The screen shows a promotional deal with a countdown timer, a navigation menu with icons at the bottom, and a notification banner about the deal ending soon.
Click to view Prototype

The objective was to improve:

  • Help learners stay motivated after enrolling in a course by making progress more interactive, rewarding, and easier to sustain.

  • The goal was to encourage active learning through short quizzes, instant feedback, and a points-based reward system that supports course completion.

A Quick Peek Into the Solution

  • Added short quiz checkpoints after course modules

  • Introduced points for quiz completion and correct answers

  • Created clear reward-progress visibility

  • Delivered instant feedback to reinforce learning

  • Connected earned points with discounts and future course incentives

  • Three screenshots showing the onboarding and search features of the Udemy mobile app. The first screenshot displays the Udemy logo, the second shows a purple welcome screen with a 'Let's go' button, and the third shows a search screen with tags for various topics and navigation icons at the bottom.
  • Screenshots of an online course app displaying course details, signed up courses, and course content on web design and programming.
  • Three screenshots of a mobile app related to a Web Design Course. The first shows a course page with a video player and details about a quiz feature, including points, completion certificate, and device access. The second displays a purple screen titled 'All set for the Quiz!!' with a graphic of a person sitting at a desk using a laptop and a button labeled 'View Quiz Section.' The third shows a quiz layout titled 'Quiz 1: Layout' with a multiple-choice question about Figma tools and checkboxes for options.
  • Screenshots of a mobile app showing a quiz page, a quiz completion with earning points, and a redeeming points page with a purple background and trophy icon.

Current State 

A red pill capsule with a sad emoticon face on it.

Desired/Preferred State 

GAP

Proposed Feature: Quiz with Rewards.

What Was the Gap?

Notes , Q&A, Downloads, Revies, Announcements

The existing learning journey focused mainly on watching videos and tracking completion. Learners had limited motivation to pause, test their understanding, or continue after losing momentum.

Tracking Users Growth

Findings

A cartoon green switch with a smiling yellow face on it.

User’s Success Track , User Engagement 

Key gaps included:

  • Passive learning experience

  • Low motivation after course enrollment

  • Limited feedback during lessons

  • No meaningful reward for progress

  • Course completion did not feel engaging or achievable

{

User Engagement 

Coinbase logo with black text and purple upward arrow symbol.

The quiz reward system creates value for both learners and the platform.

  • Encourages active participation instead of passive video watching

  • Helps learners remember and apply key concepts

  • Makes course progress feel more rewarding

  • Increases motivation to return and continue learning

  • Supports higher course completion and engagement

  • Creates opportunities for repeat course discovery and purchases

How Will the Solution Benefit Udemy?

Understanding Information Architecture in
2 Aspects :

Pictorial representation of relationship btw Modules and Elements in IA:

Modules
The main building blocks of the learning experience.

  • Name

  • Purpose

  • Type: Navigation, Content, Feature, Utility, Footer

Elements
The individual components placed inside each module.

  • Content: Text, images, videos

  • Interactions: Buttons, forms, inputs

  • Navigation: Links and menus

  • Metadata: Labels and tags

  • 1. Hierarchical relationships:

    How modules contain elements or other modules.
    ”Sitemap Hierarchy”

  • 2. Associative relationships:

    Illustrate how elements or modules are related to each other (e.g., a button triggers a modal window).
    ”Flow Diagram ”

  • 3. Dependency relationships:

    Highlight how elements or modules rely on each other (e.g., a form relies on a specific input field).
    ”Component Diagram”

A person's hands operate a tablet with colorful charts and graphs, including a blue pie chart, as the person taps on the screen with their index finger.

Visual Findings:

Modules and Elements

Module

  • Represented Each module as a rectangular block or a container with a clear label.

  • Used Red color to represent Module modules.

  • Representation of module By Capital “M”

Module

Element 

Diagram of a webpage layout with labeled sections. The top has a main header navigation with Udemy logo, search bar, profile icon, and category dropdown. Below is a carousel banner with an animated character, next a sub-header category nav bar, then a learning module section with multiple cards, featuring images, titles, and icons for video and progress. Labels point out elements like header navigation, carousel, category sections, learning modules, and individual cards.

Element

  • Represented Each Element as a rectangular block or a container with a clear label.

  • Used Blue color to represent Element modules.

  • A brief, descriptive label for the element

  • Element Type: Categorize elements by type, such as: Text, Image, Button, Form, Link

A detailed diagram of a webpage layout with sections filled with text, images, and icons, and various modules labeled such as carousel modules, recommendation modules, and card modules, each with numbered elements and descriptions.
Screenshot of an online course interface with a red header titled 'M11- Course Main Header Module' and a blue 'M11 Element' box pointing to the course overview section, which includes the Udemy logo, course title, progress icon, and various course sections listed.
Screenshot of a computer screen with a tutorial on Adobe Photoshop, showing a black workspace, multiple tool panels, and text annotations indicating a video card module and an M12 element.
Diagram showing the layout of a course webpage with labeled modules and elements: course content module, course feature module, info course feature module, footer about module, and various elements such as icons and text sections in distinct areas.

Visualizing IA in 2 Aspects :

Visualize IA in two aspects: Modules and Elements present in a Module.

Aspect 1: Modules

  • Module Attributes:

  • Module Name

  • Module Description

  • Module Type: Categorizing modules by type, such as:

    • Navigation

    • Content

    • Feature

    • Utility

    • Footer

A person's hands operate a tablet with colorful charts and graphs, including a blue pie chart, as the person taps on the screen with their index finger.

Aspect 2: Elements Present in a Module

  • Content Elements: Text, images, videos, or other media.

  • Interactive Elements: Buttons, forms, inputs, or other interactive components.

  • Navigation Elements: Links, menus, or other navigation aids.

  • Metadata Elements: Labels, tags, or other metadata associated with content.

Element Attributes:

  • Element Name

  • Element Type: Categorize elements by type, such as:

    • Text

    • Image

    • Button

    • Form

    • Link

Visual Findings:

Modules and Elements

Module

  • Represented Each module as a rectangular block or a container with a clear label.

  • Used Red color to represent Module modules.

  • Representation of module By Capital “M”

Module

Element 

Diagram of a webpage layout with labeled sections. The top has a main header navigation with Udemy logo, search bar, profile icon, and category dropdown. Below is a carousel banner with an animated character, next a sub-header category nav bar, then a learning module section with multiple cards, featuring images, titles, and icons for video and progress. Labels point out elements like header navigation, carousel, category sections, learning modules, and individual cards.

Element

  • Represented Each Element as a rectangular block or a container with a clear label.

  • Used Blue color to represent Element modules.

  • A brief, descriptive label for the element

  • Element Type: Categorize elements by type, such as: Text, Image, Button, Form, Link

A detailed diagram of a webpage layout with sections filled with text, images, and icons, and various modules labeled such as carousel modules, recommendation modules, and card modules, each with numbered elements and descriptions.
Screenshot of an online course interface with a red header titled 'M11- Course Main Header Module' and a blue 'M11 Element' box pointing to the course overview section, which includes the Udemy logo, course title, progress icon, and various course sections listed.
Screenshot of a computer screen with a tutorial on Adobe Photoshop, showing a black workspace, multiple tool panels, and text annotations indicating a video card module and an M12 element.
Diagram showing the layout of a course webpage with labeled modules and elements: course content module, course feature module, info course feature module, footer about module, and various elements such as icons and text sections in distinct areas.

  • 01

    Together, we outline a path forward that’s realistic, strategic, and tailored to your specific needs.

  • 02

    You’re part of the process. We keep communication open and decisions shared—no black boxes or surprises.

  • 03

    When we deliver, it’s not just a finished product—it’s a solution you can trust, backed by real care and effort.

Briefly Describe Current and Proposed Feature

1. Current Course Features

2. Proposed Course Feature“ QUIZ”

  • On Udemy, courses come with various features like Q&A, announcements, reviews, notes, overviews, and learning tools. Each section of the course content is briefly described, 

  • On the right side of the interface, giving learners an idea of what they'll learn.

About Feature :

  • Each course section has a quiz.

  • Completing a quiz earns you 5 points.

  • Points convert into discounts for future courses.

  • Example: Completing 25 sections earns 125 points.

  • 125 points equals a $6.25 discount on your next course.

  • Discounts are automatically applied to the next course purchase.

Benefits
:

  • Increased Engagement: Motivates students to complete quizzes and interact with the app.

  • More Purchases: Encourages buying more courses to use earned discounts.

Track Progress: 

  • Points and quiz scores help students see their learning progress and success rates.

  • This system boosts user engagement and educational outcomes, making learning rewarding and effective.

Smartphone displaying an educational video playlist titled 'Complete Web Design: from Figma to Webflow to Freelancing,' with sections on Webflow, design basics, and tutorials.
Screenshot of a mobile phone displaying an online course on Figma Web Design, showing a section titled 'Quiz' with details about quiz content and rewards.

Task 1 : Find recommendation/personalization /career goal on Home page

Task Performed

Task 2  : Can you search for “Figma Web Design course “ and get a overview and after that can you buy it  ( un paid )

Task 1 : Find recommendation/personalization /career goal on Home page

Task 3: Can you go on the course that you just purchased ... click on that.

Task 2  : Can you search for “Figma Web Design course “ and get a overview and after that can you buy it  ( un paid )

Task 3: Can you go on the course that you just purchased ... click on that.

Usability Finding /Analysis

Task

Can users easily find and complete quizzes, see their progress and points?

Are users satisfied and motivated with the points system, and what are their opinions on earning and using points for course discounts?

Your user think this will encourage course completion and increased course purchases for users?

Remote Testing Dynamics

  • Utilizes Zoom for virtual interaction, enabling participants to access the website in their familiar settings.

  • Mimics real-world usage, offering a realistic evaluation of the website's usability.

Participants &Testing Environment

How did we conduct our tests?

Technical Requirements

  • Specified necessary equipment like a stable internet connection, computer or mobile device, and Zoom access.

  • Ensures all participants can effectively engage in the test without technical hindrances.

Ensuring Comfort and Openness

  • Created a relaxed environment, encouraging honest feedback.

  • Aims for genuine interactions with the website, vital for authentic usability insights.

Success rate

Conclusion

  • The points and rewards system aligns with Udemy's mission to make education accessible and convenient. 

  • It boosts user engagement by simplifying quiz completion, progress tracking, and redeeming discounts. 

  • Users are satisfied, motivated to complete more sections and courses, and show increased quiz and course completion rates, enhancing overall learning outcomes. 

  • This feature effectively supports user engagement and educational success on the platform.

IA Brief Document

Click on the button to View 1-page Brief of IA Udemy Redesign