garyb wrote:Ah, I had positive feelings about the latest Duo changes! More linear structure with fewer unnecessary choices, much more useful personalised practise feature, and units based around doing things in the language rather than themes. I'm getting a lot of value out of it.
It's good to hear an opinion of an experienced learner. If there are some changes for the better, good. Frankly, I have always seen the main potential advantage of digital tools exactly in being less linear. For example Kwiziq is doing it extremely well. Right now, when I compare Duo or similar tools to textbooks, I simply see textbooks as the more free tool, letting me learn more how I want. Duo right before my depart was tying me down too much (just like some other digital tools that I've tried and abandoned).
Linear approach may have advantages for some learners, but it goes even further away from what I had hoped Duo to be the start of. The main advantage may be for people using it as newbie learners and as a main resource (but we know what the drawbacks of this approach are). But it will be less useful for people using it together with something else probably.
But I only ever use the desktop web version, never the mobile app; I gave up on the app a long time ago because of the lives and other gamification, the more intrusive advertising, and problems with using the keyboard input rather than the word bank (I think it didn't work at first, then it worked but typing on a phone will always be slower and more painful than on a keyboard). I find it strange that it's so famous as an app despite the user experience being awful and far better on the desktop version, and it's a shame since a better app would actually be really handy for studying on the move.
Yes, using just the desktop surely helps, even though it is a bit sad, when an app version is so inferior. (It is true even about very good services, like Speakly). The gamification really seems to be getting out of hand.
Of course the app is more famous, it's 2022
I totally agree a good app can be very helpful. My Speexx (used for German) is very good, even though still far from perfect. I like it on the go.
My case is probably quite unusual though: an experienced learner using it to complement other courses, and someone with a general preference for doing things on a computer rather than a phone when possible. I fully agree with your criticisms based on how it's usually used, as a main/only resource on mobile by inexperienced learners.
Yes, my main criticism is how it twists the idea of what language learning is, what hard work is (I still remember the horrible congratulations screens after every five questions. They made me understand a lot of the problems people present on the internet. They are simply being conditioned into finding anything but a stupid game to be too much), what self study is.
But an honest question: how are you using it together with other tools, as it is more linear now? Could you give an example, please? Do you simply do it separately and not care about learning different stuff in various places? Or do you use a coursebook with a similar order of things?
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Back to my own learning! Finally started NP2! At least the coursebook for start. The 0th unit was very short, good. But it showed pretty well what I need to work on more. Now a few more units to complete this 3DP. Tiny goals are the way to go!
I am so much behind the schedule. Yesterday I hoped to study but I was instead sick, now I am finally feeling better. Good, as I will work 4 night shifts this week. hahahaha (imagine desperate laughter of a comic book villain here. I pray for at least one calm night out of the four)
I am extremely tempted to not take the Italian exam. But I won't have time later. I will decide later or at the latest tomorrow.