Client

Africa Leadership Group, ALX Ethiopia

Industry

Education

Service

Insight gathering, Persona development,
User journey mapping, Prototype development and prototype testing support

Designing for an Improved Experience: Understanding Learner Engagement with ALX’s Offer and Physical Space

ALX, a leading technology training provider under the African Leadership Group, is committed to accelerating the careers of young Africans by equipping them with the necessary technology and professional skills to thrive in the digital economy. As part of its mission, ALX is dedicated to creating transformative learning experiences that empower the next generation of African leaders.

In early 2023, when ALX Ethiopia started its transition from a fully virtual model to blended learning, combining online and in-person instruction. While this shift offered new opportunities for enriched peer-to-peer learning and a stronger sense of community, the ALX team anticipated challenges in motivating in-person attendance.  

ALX was aware that the success of this transition hinged on how well their value proposition and overall experience resonated with trainees. They recognized the importance of understanding and addressing trainee needs and pain points to ensure a seamless integration of the physical and digital learning environments. Additionally, ALX sought to tackle engagement challenges such as the dropout rate, aiming to create a more cohesive and supportive learning community in Ethiopia.

 

Derz Consulting took a comprehensive approach to address ALX’s challenge. We began by gathering deep insights from trainees through a series of interviews, focus group discussions, and in-person observations. This rich data informed the creation of detailed journey maps and personas, which provided a clearer picture of the diverse needs and experiences of ALX’s learners. Following this, we collaborated closely with the ALX team in a design sprint focused on enhancing learner engagement in both the physical and digital spaces. The sprint allowed us to co-create innovative strategies to bolster the learner experience. We concluded the first phase of the project by delivering a playbook for prototype testing, providing a structured approach for ALX to refine and implement these new strategies.

 Illustrations by Pablo Stanley 

User Journey

 

 The project concluded with the development of four personas and seven prototypes, each designed to enhance community engagement within ALX. These insights and prototypes were presented to ALX’s leadership, sparking strategic reflections and driving a shift in their approach to learner engagement. The success of this initial phase paved the way for a second phase, where the ALX team, with ongoing support from Derz, tested the prototypes in real-world settings, refining their approach based on continuous feedback and guidance.

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