AI Study Technique in ChatGPT outlined: Teaching students to leverage AI efficiently
OpenAI's latest offering, Study Mode for ChatGPT, is revolutionising the way students learn and interact with artificial intelligence. This innovative learning experience guides users through topics using interactive, step-by-step support, fostering a deeper understanding of subjects rather than merely providing direct answers[1][2][3].
Interactive Learning Experience
Key features of Study Mode include interactive prompts that ask guiding questions tailored to the student's goals and skill level, encouraging active participation and critical thinking[1][2][3][4]. The Socratic-style questioning approach leads users to reason towards answers themselves, fostering metacognition and self-reflection about their learning process[2][3][5].
Stepwise explanations start simple and progressively add complexity, helping students manage cognitive load and build knowledge scaffolds effectively[1][3][4][5]. Personalisation is achieved by using past chat history (when memory is enabled) to tailor examples and tips to the individual learner[3].
Feedback loops with open-ended prompts check understanding and offer actionable, supportive feedback to keep learners engaged and motivated[1][2][3][5]. Moreover, Study Mode supports working with uploaded materials, including images or PDFs, to directly reference course materials or homework problems[3].
Collaborative Development
OpenAI developed Study Mode in collaboration with teachers, scientists, and pedagogy experts, basing it on learning science principles to foster curiosity, self-awareness, and active participation[1][2][5]. The mode aims to balance helping students learn while discouraging shortcutting by AI, thus promoting deeper discovery and critical thinking.
Availability and Usage
Study Mode is available to all users, including free users, and is turned on by default in the new educational interface[2][3]. Users can toggle Study Mode on or off anytime and activate it by selecting "Study and learn" under Tools or typing . OpenAI plans to iterate on the feature with user feedback, adding functions such as progress tracking, goal setting, and clearer visualisations[2][3].
In short, Study Mode transforms ChatGPT into an interactive tutor that guides students to learn actively, reflect on their understanding, and develop deeper mastery rather than just finishing assignments quickly[1][4][5].
The Future of AI in Education
The launch of Study Mode reflects a growing trend in AI: tools are beginning to take responsibility for how they're used. Other companies, such as Google, are following suit with similar features, offering persistent "Canvas" workspaces and live video search to support students[6].
While Study Mode is not a silver bullet, it is a step in the right direction toward AI that teaches, rather than just tells. Critics argue that it's still too easy to treat ChatGPT as a shortcut rather than a tool. However, the new mode reduces the likelihood of blind copying by engaging the user in the process.
Educators might encourage keeping Study Mode on, but it remains optional. The new mode aims to guide users towards understanding the "why" and "how" of concepts, not just providing explanations for the "what." For Pro users, Study Mode offers "explain like I'm five" answers if something doesn't make sense[7].
In conclusion, Study Mode is poised to become one of the most powerful learning tools of a student's academic life, provided it is used wisely. With its emphasis on interactive learning, personalised hints, and scaffolded explanations, it offers a promising future for AI in education.
[1] OpenAI. (2025). Study Mode for ChatGPT. Retrieved from https://openai.com/blog/study-mode-for-chatgpt/
[2] Khurana, A. (2025). OpenAI's Study Mode for ChatGPT: A game-changer in AI-assisted education. EdTech Magazine. Retrieved from https://edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2025/07/openais-study-mode-chatgpt-game-changer-ai-assisted-education
[3] Smith, J. (2025). OpenAI's Study Mode: AI-powered tutoring for the modern student. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/7/29/22543052/openai-study-mode-ai-tutoring-chatgpt
[4] Lee, Y. (2025). OpenAI's Study Mode: A new approach to AI-assisted learning. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/yoonlee/2025/07/29/openais-study-mode-a-new-approach-to-ai-assisted-learning/?sh=76a5787538a5
[5] Johnson, A. (2025). OpenAI's Study Mode: The future of AI-assisted learning. TechCrunch. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/29/openais-study-mode-the-future-of-ai-assisted-learning/
[6] Google. (2025). Google's AI Mode for students. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/education/ai-mode/
[7] OpenAI. (2025). Study Mode for ChatGPT: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://openai.com/blog/study-mode-faq/
- The Socratic-style questioning approach in Study Mode encourages metacognition and self-reflection, making it a useful tool for artificial-intelligence-led education-and-self-development and learning.
- Study Mode's personalized hints, interactive prompts, and stepwise explanations help students build knowledge scaffolds effectively, harnessing the potential of technology in fostering deeper understanding of subjects.
