In recent years technology and education are getting more interwoven. Nowadays many educational institutions have adopted one technology tool to enhance teachers and students teaching/learning experience. However many students and even teachers have one or few favorite tech tools that connect them to their colleagues in other institutes around the globe. Like most things related to education, technological tools for education is rapidly increasing in number, from mobile apps to web-based technologies and also with many features varying from fun, game-based to straight-to-the point technologies.
One of these educational technologies launched in this year (2012) is “OpenStudy”. "OpenStudy is a social learning network where students ask questions, give help, and connect with other students studying the same things. Our mission is to make the world one large study group, regardless of school, location, or background."[1]
Though “OpenStudy” seem to bridge the gap that many educational technologies have not tapped into in recent year which is to connect students to students or tutors who can help them with their problems, but the ads that show on the website can be a source of distraction to some students. However, the website can be ads-free for a pledge of $10 monthly.
One advantage of OpenStudy are the ability to connect with people from different nations, this is good not only for study purpose but can be quite useful for research purpose. Take for instance, one can get different point of views from different cultures and nations from people who have a first hand experience in the subject or topic by creating a group and sourcing for study/research buddies.[2] Another advantage of OpenStudy is the ability of a student to earn study credits and certificate of participation by helping other student being an active contributor for at least four weeks[3]. “OpenStudy” is accessed by simply creating a username and password or by logging on with your facebook account (which by the way is a nice because many students are on facebook and wouldn’t like the hassles of creating a profile/username and password). Once one gains access he/she can create study group or join an already study group of his/her choice. The group are moderated by the website admins and a group monitor (the highest contributor to the group). Various ranks exist in the website starting from neophyte to lifesaver to superstar and end at legend. One is promoted as they work more and assist others in the group. A code of conduct exist which violation of it will lead to suspension from the website.
Though this website seem to be a great platform for peer to peer learning, one might ask how does this makes one a better student since many lazy students would simply get others to do their assignments for them. I would suggest that parent or teachers or institutions be involved in the groups so as to checkmate the excesses of lazy students and motivate real learning and knowledge exchange.
[1] http://openstudy.com/about-us (assessed 20 December, 2012)
[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeLDJkCzCiY (Success story of OpenStudy, accessed 20th December, 2012)
[3] http://blog.openstudy.com/
thank you for providing this information.It is really a useful online learning tool. I really appreciate the incentive policy of earning credit by helping others and solving others' problems.In this way students are well motivated to study and explore.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great idea as many students tend to learn better through discussion and communal problem solving and often we don't have this kind of opportunity in most classes to engage in this type of learning. Also when we teach others that helps us to solidify the knowledge we have acquired so we can clearly communicate it to others. This is nice for building self esteem and confidence and reinforcing what we know.
I also like the fact that there is international communication happening because as you mentioned we get different perspectives on things especially for social science subjects or even economics as it is discussed from the angles of different country contexts. This is very important on a larger scale because it is teaching students to be critical thinkers and to not just memorize material and believe that it is correct because in fact it is subjective based on cultural norms, lens and understandings.
For lazy students, this could motivate them. It depends on why they are lazy.... maybe they find class boring and studying alone even more boring. This can give them another outlet to connect with people and be motivated by their peers rather than by authority (as they might see their teachers).
Overall I like the idea and that it is possible to get credits because that enforces and values collectivity (sharing and helping others) which is often undervalued in our competitive educational system
Thanks for posting this.
Bianca