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The Learning Loop
Every week, a case study on the gap between what brands explain and what customers actually understand.

Portfolio

Branching eLearning scenario
This scenario used decision-based design to shift reporting behaviour with a measurable 30% improvement as the target outcome.

Personalised AI feedback
Personalised feedback without manual effort. This AI workflow delivers individually tailored responses at scale. The same principle behind effective post-purchase communication for complex products.

Previous Clients And Projects

Get In Touch
If your product communication isn't landing the way you expected or you want to get it right before launch, let's talk.Fill in the form and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.
Not sure if this is relevant for you?Send me a message anyway; a quick call will tell us both.

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Imprint
Mascha VölkerAm Ortfelde 5, 29640 SchneverdingenPhone - +49 152 2130 4552Email - [email protected]

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Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
www.maschavoelker.com
1. Introduction and Controller
This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is collected, processed, and stored when you visit this website. We take data protection seriously and process your data exclusively in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG).Controller within the meaning of the GDPR:
Maria Völker (Freiberuflerin / Freelancer)
Am Ortfelde 5
29640 Schneverdingen
Germany
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.maschavoelker.com2. Hosting
This website is hosted by:
Carrd, Inc.
548 Market St, Suite 95149
San Francisco, CA 94104
USAWhen you visit this website, the hosting provider automatically collects connection data (so-called server log files).
This may include:
- IP address (anonymised where possible)
- Date and time of access
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- Referring websiteThis data is technically necessary to display the website correctly and to ensure stability and security. No personal analysis of this data takes place.As Carrd, Inc. is based in the USA, data may be transferred to the United States. Carrd processes this data on the basis of Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) pursuant to Art. 46(2)(c) GDPR. For more information, please refer to Carrd's Privacy Policy: https://carrd.co/privacyLegal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in the proper operation of the website).3. Cookies and Consent Management
This website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device.We use the consent management tool CCM19 to obtain and store your cookie preferences in a legally compliant manner. CCM19 is provided by:
papoo Software & Media GmbH
Auguststr. 4
53229 Bonn
Germany
https://www.ccm19.deCCM19 stores one technically necessary cookie to remember your consent decision. This cookie does not require separate consent as it is essential for the lawful operation of the consent tool.You can change or withdraw your consent at any time with future effect by accessing the cookie settings on our website.Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent) for optional cookies; Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest) for technically necessary cookies.4. Google Analytics (GA4)
This website uses Google Analytics 4 (GA4), a web analytics service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland ("Google").Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies to collect anonymised information about how this website is used, including:
Pages visited and time spent on site
Approximate location (based on anonymised IP address)
Device type and browser information
Traffic source (e.g. direct visit, referral, search engine)This information is transmitted to and processed by Google's servers. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required by law or where third parties process data on Google's behalf.IP anonymisation: We have configured Google Analytics to anonymise IP addresses before storage (IP masking). Full identification via IP address is therefore not possible.Data transfer to the USA: Google LLC is based in the USA. Transfers of personal data to the USA are carried out on the basis of the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (EU Commission adequacy decision of 10 July 2023) and Standard Contractual Clauses pursuant to Art. 46(2)(c) GDPR.Google Analytics is only activated on this website after you have given your explicit consent via the CCM19 cookie banner. No Google Analytics cookies are set without your consent.Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent).Right of withdrawal: You can withdraw your consent at any time with future effect by accessing the cookie settings on our website. You can also prevent data collection by Google Analytics by installing the browser add-on available at: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptoutFor more information on data processing by Google, please visit: https://policies.google.com/privacy5. Contact Form
This website contains a contact form. When you use it, the following data you provide will be collected and processed:
Your name
Your email address
The content of your messageThe contact form is provided through Carrd's native form functionality. Data submitted via the form is routed through the servers of Carrd, Inc. (USA) before being delivered to the controller by email. Carrd acts as a data processor in this context pursuant to Art. 28 GDPR.Your data is used solely to process and respond to your enquiry. It will not be shared with third parties except as necessary to handle your request.Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (pre-contractual measures or performance of a contract) or Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in responding to enquiries).6. Embedded YouTube Videos
This website contains an embedded video from YouTube. YouTube is a service provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.We use YouTube in privacy-enhanced mode (embedded via youtube-nocookie.com). This means YouTube does not set cookies for visitors who do not play the video. Only when you click to start the video does a connection to YouTube's servers get established. At that point, the following data may be transmitted:
Your IP address
Information about your browser and device
Which page of our website you visitedIf you are logged into your Google or YouTube account at this time, Google may associate your browsing behaviour with your account. You can prevent this by logging out of your Google account before visiting our website.Data transfer to the USA: The same legal basis applies as described in Section 4 (EU-US Data Privacy Framework and Standard Contractual Clauses).Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent given via the cookie banner before the video is loaded).For more information: https://policies.google.com/privacy7. Data Retention
Personal data is only stored for as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or as required by law:Contact form messages: for the duration of the correspondence, then deleted unless statutory retention obligations apply.
Server log files: typically up to 14 days, then automatically deleted.
Cookie consent records (CCM19): until you withdraw your consent or the consent cookie expires.8. Your Rights
Under the GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR)
Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
Right to erasure / right to be forgotten (Art. 17 GDPR)
Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
Right to object to processing (Art. 21 GDPR)
Right to withdraw consent at any time (Art. 7(3) GDPR)To exercise any of these rights, please contact us by email at: [email protected]You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. The competent authority for Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) is:Landesbeauftragte fuer den Datenschutz Niedersachsen
(State Commissioner for Data Protection of Lower Saxony)
Prinzenstrasse 5
30159 Hannover
Germany
Tel.: +49 511 120-4500
Email: [email protected]
https://www.lfd.niedersachsen.de9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. Data transmitted via this website is encrypted using SSL/TLS.10. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal or technical changes. The current version will always be available on this page.Last updated: June 2026

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Portfolio
Personalised AI feedback

This AI workflow provides seamless and personalised video feedback to learners' input. It breaks traditional feedback barriers and enables scalable learning experiences that target each learner's specific needs.Target Group
5.000 hospital staff membersGoal
Phishing email reports to IT increase by 30% by the end of Q4 as hospital staff consistently identify and report suspicious emails through the ticketing system.Tools Used
Articulate Storyline (with custom JavaScript) | VS Code | GitHub | Vercel | ChatGPT | HeyGen | Adobe Premiere Pro | RiversideDidactic Methods
Gagnés 9 Events | Action Mapping | ADDIE | Moodboards/Templates | Storyboards
Branching eLearning scenario
This branched scenario is designed for hospital staff to test their ability to identify red flags in suspicious emails and determine whether they're legitimate or phishing attempts.Target group
5.000 hospital staff members at St. John's Medical Centre working with their email system.Goal
Phishing email reports to IT increase by 30% by the end of Q4 as hospital staff consistently identify and report suspicious emails through the ticketing system.Tools used
Articulate Storyline (with custom JavaScript) | Canva | Figma | Midjourney | Claude | Adobe Illustrator | NotionDidactic Methods
Action Mapping | ADDIE | Gagnés 9 Events | Moodboards/Templates | Storyboards

Get in touch
If your product communication isn't landing the way you expected or you want to get it right before launch, let's talk.Fill in the form and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.
Not sure if this is relevant for you?Send me a message anyway; a quick call will tell us both.

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About

Hello, I'm Mascha!
Originally from Kazakhstan, I moved to Germany at a young age and grew up bilingual in Russian and German.I have a deep passion for learning languages (currently studying my sixth) and for traveling. This passion has taken me across four continents.Over the past five years, I've also developed a strong interest in technology and visual design. These fields have enabled me to build a digital presence and explore new ways of communicating.I find it fascinating how coding resembles learning another language; except the conversation is with a machine that demands absolute precision.

2016
I graduated with a bachelor's degree in International Tourism Management from The Netherlands.By this time, I worked and lived in Germany, the U.S., The Netherlands, the U.K., and Vietnam.My most memorable experience was interning at Footprint, a sustainable tour operator in Hanoi, where I received and accepted a job offer immediately after. I was inspired by Vietnam's entrepreneurial and innovative work culture and the exciting opportunities for growth it offered as well as an amazing team to have as the first job after university.



“Mascha combines independence, reliability, and a deep sense of commitment — qualities that make her a joy to work with as a freelancer. I truly enjoyed our collaboration and can wholeheartedly recommend her as a freelance writer.”Stefanie Rambow - Head of German Curriculum at Chatterbug (2020)
2019
In 2019, I transitioned from account management in Brazil's tourism sector into instructional design.Teaching German online, I became one of the platform's top-rated instructors with a 98% positive rating— half of my students named me their favorite teacher.This success opened doors to freelance content design and curriculum development, leading to a full-time instructional design practice.

2022
To deepen my instructional design expertise, I completed advanced training through the University of Jena and Goethe-Institut, graduating with a 1.7 (equivalent to 85%).Concurrently, I joined the Goethe-Institut in Kazakhstan, where I designed and delivered public workshops for Germany-bound professionals, scaling to audiences of up to 60 participants. This experience strengthened my ability to facilitate large-group learning and support career-critical skill development.

"I know Mascha as a consistently reliable, structured, and disciplined person. Her work reflects the zeitgeist of German language learning, especially in the area of digital learning. She always delivered on time and regularly. Her open approach to German language learners, as well as her loyalty and clear communication, make her a valued team member."Marek Gryglewicz - Head of the Language Department & Deputy Director of the Goethe-Institut Kazakhstan (2022)



2025
Returning to Germany, I joined the educational institution KOM gGmbH in Hamburg as a marketing project manager, where I combined instructional design with business strategy.I further advanced my expertise by completing Eduflow's Instructional Design Principles course. Leveraging my growing interest in technology, I expanded into IT training, both developing content for IT professionals and building KOM's complete learning management system from the ground up, managing both content creation and technical implementation.
Beyond work, I'm an avid hiker, highlights include summiting Kongmaru La Pass (5,200m) in India and the Zugspitze in Germany.

"Her expertise, creativity, and reliability have made a real difference to our content products."Mirco Wieg - Head of Content at eCademy (2025)
Get in touch
If your product communication isn't landing the way you expected or you want to get it right before launch, let's talk.Fill in the form and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.
Not sure if this is relevant for you?Send me a message anyway; a quick call will tell us both.

Home | Portfolio | Insights | About | Contact Me
Get in touch
Looking for learning solutions that demonstrate clear results? Let's collaborate on designing training programs that support your business objectives.Begin the conversation by completing this form and I will get back to you via email.
If your product communication isn't landing the way you expected or you want to get it right before launch, let's talk.Fill in the form and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.
Not sure if this is relevant for you?Send me a message anyway; a quick call will tell us both.

Home | Portfolio | Insights | About | Contact Me
Not sure whether your product has a comprehension problem?
Find out in 3 minutes

The Learning Load Test
measures how much a customer has to learn,
remember, and do correctly
before your product works for them!
Some products explain themselves. You pick them up, you use them, you're done.
Others make demands: take it at the right time, use it in this order.Those products fail quietly, because nobody planned what the buyer had to learn or when.To figure out whether it makes sense to work together, I always ask these 7 questions.
Take the test
Score each question:
0 = not present – 1 = somewhat – 2 = strongly
| Nr. | Signal | Question | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deferred value | Does the benefit arrive later than first use? | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | Correct-use dependency | Does it only work if used a specific way? | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | No mental model | Is the category unfamiliar to this buyer? | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | Routine Integration | Does it require a new behaviour rather than replacing an old one? | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | Ambiguous success signal | Can your buyer tell whether it's working? | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | Claim constraint | Are you legally blocked from saying the obvious thing? | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 | Commitment cost | Is real money or time committed before evidence arrives? | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Reading your score
0–4
Your product teaches itself.
If it's underperforming, the cause is somewhere else. I'd be selling you a solution to a problem you don't have. Save your budget.
5–9
Comprehension is part of the picture, not all of it. Worth fixing, but something else is running alongside it. A narrow, scoped piece of work makes sense here. A big one doesn't.
10–14
Comprehension is probably your main bottleneck. Your product demands more of the buyer than your communication currently supports. This is the work I do, and this is where it moves the number.

3 problems
that look like confusion

1. The product isn't good enough.
Reviews say "didn't work," "tasted bad," "broke." That's a sign to fix your product.2. It's a price problem.
They understood perfectly and decided it wasn't worth it. Either improve marketing or see if you can make it cheaper.3. They can't find it again.
Out of stock, no reorder path, distribution gap. They wanted to repeat and couldn't. That's operations.
When people don't come back, do they say the product didn't work?
Or do they say something vague and positive?Vague and positive is mine.
Specific and negative belongs to someone else.

Selling once but not twice?Let's find out what they didn't understand.
Send me your score and the product it's for.I'll come back with the two signals I'd look at first.No charge, no pitch deck.
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It's a weekly case study on the gap between what brands explain and what customers understand.











