We’ve changed OpenStudy to put more control in the hands of users and facilitate deeper relationships; all with the end goal to produce authentic learning, synthesizing, and sharing of information when studying online together. Our redesign merges the user’s spheres of traditional classmates, future co-workers, never-met-before online learners and established friends in the most seamless online study experience — let us explain.
Find Others Studying Exactly What You’re Studying, Right Now
Instead of broad study topics like Mathematics, Chemistry, etc. you can now find groups of people studying your material.
For example, a user wants to know if the net present value (NPV) of a particular investment is beneficial or greater than 0. In order to solve, a mathematical equation is necessary. In the image below, the OpenStudy user has three different groups of people he/she can join: two individuals in the Finance study group, 11 students in Emory’s business school might take a moment to help derive the NPV, or, if they are too busy, it’s likely one of the 22 people in the Mathematics study group will help with the equation.
Anyone Can Create Study Groups
If a user can’t find a group of learners studying similar material, then he/she has the option to create a study group. The study group can grow in two ways: others on OpenStudy will search for the topic of study or the user can grow the study group through their immediate study network (classmates, FB friends, Twitter followers).
Courtesy and tact are emphasized more on OpenStudy. If a user acts inappropriately, getting booted from a study group is one click away from the group creator, global moderators, or highest ranked user in the group. This functionality builds greater trust among users and maintain levels of respect that align with our vision of how learners should study online.
Same Tools, More Study Groups
The popular equation editor, whiteboard, and file upload are still here. The difference is the increased control the user has when asking a question. Now a user may ask the same question to multiple study groups along with greater responsibility is shifted on the user. Lastly, a maximum number of 5 groups may be joined; therefore, one question may be asked five times simultaneously. A user should use caution with which groups to ask their question so they don’t get booted for irrelevant or spammy questions — choose wisely
The overall changes to OpenStudy will help a user expand their study network, get better, more credible help, and develop lasting relationships around others who are learning the same field of study.
We’re excited about these changes because they’ll change the way you study once you sign up.
Jon Birdsong
Marketing Manager
Entries
The new update is a huge disappointment. The site is essentially unusable. Y’all should revert to the previous version.
Sean,
Bummer to hear. We’ve heard nothing but very positive feedback from our users about the change. If you have a spare moment, would you be so kind as to send me an email (jon.birdsong@openstudy.com) explaining your perspective about the top three most un-usable areas of the site. Thank you kindly.
Best,
Jon