Feedback: Improving/Redesign the UI for users who are using learning mode

Hello everyone, this is my first post on this forum.

Let me just say I absolutely love this site! I enjoy learning as well as contributing at the same time. Currently I am contributing at a mentoring capacity, but I look forward to contribute more in the coming days, but that’s a topic for another time.

I have been mentoring the Python track for a couple of weeks now, and I am connected to many learners who are very new to the language. After many conversations, I have noticed a pattern regarding to their chosen learning path.

While I like the fact that there are ‘soft lock’ in placed on the ‘Overview’ tab, there aren’t any lock in place on the ‘Learn’ tab. What I notice is that many learners are compelled to finish all exercise on one subject group before moving on to the next one. In this case, there are several learners thought they have to complete all the exercise in Numbers or Bools in order to move on to the next subject.

My understanding on the track is that user should complete the first row from left to right based on the order set out in the Overview tab.

I think the visual path design, while engaging, might not clearly communicate the intended learning sequence, as some believe the Generator chapter is the final boss so to speak.

To address this issue, I have two recommendations:

A. Limit the learn tab to only features exercise with the Light bulb icon.

B. Put a lock icon on all exercise without a light bulb and provide visual indication on which exercise learner should do next.

The above feedback are my thoughts after chatting with many curious learners, and I wish to hear the thoughts from all of you. I apologise in advance if this is a repeated topic. Thank you for reading.