OpenAI Brings Study Mode to ChatGPT

OpenAI today announced a new study mode feature for ChatGPT that lets all users learn about specific topics.

“Today we’re introducing study mode in ChatGPT, a learning experience that helps you work through problems step by step instead of just getting an answer,” the OpenAI announcement explains. “When students engage with study mode, they’re met with guiding questions that calibrate responses to their objective and skill level to help them build deeper understanding. Study mode is designed to be engaging and interactive, and to help students learn something, not just finish something.”

OpenAI says it designed to study mode to help address concerns about using AI in education. The biggest being, how can one use AI to support real learning and not just offer answers or solutions?

Based on the demo video in the announcement post, study mode uses a conversational interface in which you ask ChatGPT for help with a problem and it asks a series of follow-up questions as it works through the answer. In a sense, study mode is prompting the user, rather than the reverse, providing feedback and guidance as its goes.

OpenAI says that study mode is “powered by custom system instructions it created in collaboration with teachers, scientists, and pedagogy experts to reflect a core set of behaviors that support deeper learning including.” It encourages active participation, manages cognitive load, proactively develops metacognition and self reflection, fosters curiosity, and provides actionable and supportive feedback. This is all based on longstanding research in learning science, it says.

To access study mode, sign-in to ChatGPT and select “Study and learn” from the Tools menu.

ChatGPT study mode is now available to users who sign-in with a Free, Plus, Pro, or Team account. And it will be made available to those with ChatGPT Edu coming in the next few weeks.