OpenAI has rolled out a new Study Mode in ChatGPT. It is designed to help students go beyond simply getting answers and instead engage in step-by-step learning. The update is already rolling out and is available to all logged-in users across Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans. However, ChatGPT Edu users will get access in the coming weeks.
These days, almost every student is using ChatGPT for homework help, exam prep, and understanding tough concepts. However, as it gained popularity, educators and researchers were concerned about students using it to get solutions without actually understanding them. So the new Study Mode is OpenAI’s attempt to tackle this problem.
Instead of giving direct answers, Study Mode walks students through problems using interactive prompts. It asks guiding questions, gives hints, and encourages self-reflection, adopting techniques from Socratic questioning and learning science. The goal is to support real learning by keeping students engaged and promoting critical thinking.
What’s Inside Study Mode?
- Interactive Prompts: These include hints and reflective questions designed to help students figure things out on their own.
- Scaffolded Responses: Answers are broken down into easy-to-digest sections, helping students connect concepts without feeling overwhelmed.
- Personalized Support: Based on the user’s questions and chat history, the responses adapt to their skill level.
- Knowledge Checks: Built-in quizzes and open-ended questions help reinforce understanding and track progress.
- On-Off Flexibility: Users can toggle Study Mode on or off in any conversation, depending on their learning needs.
In order to use the Study Mode, students will have to select “Study and learn” from the tools menu in ChatGPT and start asking questions. OpenAI says this is just the beginning, with plans to add more features like visual aids, goal tracking, and improved personalization based on feedback.
Currently, the Study Mode works through custom system instructions, which is an approach that allows OpenAI to iterate quickly. However, the company says it plans to eventually build these behaviors into the core ChatGPT models after learning what works best.
In addition to Study Mode, OpenAI has also introduced deeper integrations for ChatGPT Pro users. Outside of Europe, Pro users can now connect ChatGPT with platforms like Canva, Notion, and HubSpot. These integrations allow users to pull content, analyse data, and create assets without leaving the chat interface. Apart from that, the company is rolling out support for custom connectors, allowing users to bring in data from other tools using OpenAI’s Managed Connector Platform.
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