In this series of posts, we will explore “Study Sites”. They include homework help sites, college study sites, and collaborative learning sites like FunnelBrain.com.

Study sites are specialized social networks where students can work collaboratively to master learning objectives.  These include homework help sites, college study sites, and of course FunnelBrain.  Over the next few posts, we’ll look at the audience these sites are attracting.  We’ll look at the activities that audience is engaging in and how a specific community about education differ from the larger “Facebook” style communities.

We are all bombarded with advice about the importance of social media for everything from staying connected with friends to receiving the latest reviews on products. We hear, join the online conversation, but do so understanding the future employers might see your posts.  Manage your personal brand in the social network space, but do so openly and honestly.  Engage your social network, but do so while protecting your privacy. All, it turns out, easier said than done because the activities people engage in on Facebook and other social networks revolve around socializing with friends.

This is the first unique attribute of the study sites – the audience is not there just for socializing, they are there to learn and collaborate about a specific subject.  This activity (i.e. learning), as well as the specificity of the learner’s interest, make it much easier for the community of users to offer something of immediate relevance and value.  In order to illustrate this, let’s first take a closer look at FunnelBrain.

FunnelBrain is an academic question and answer site. Users on the site form groups, called “Study Teams.” Members of the Study Teams then work collaboratively online to create study review materials in the form of online “flashcards,” quizzes, discussion forums, blogs and notes. FunnelBrain flashcards have three “sides,” typically used to present an academic question, and answer, and an explanation with links to further resources. A single flashcard on FunnelBrain can be an elaborate multi-media presentation, with audio, video, images and text. However, the metaphor of the flashcard and the adaptable question-answer-explanation format let users quickly grasp how to use the site and make the collaborative work of the Study Teams self organizing.

Next, we’ll explore the audiences these sites attracted. To be continued…

• - Upload and share Documents with your Team including Class Notes, Lesson Plans, and Assignments
• - Write a Team blog and keep everyone up-to-date on the latest developments and class announcements
• - It’s FunnelBrain, so of course you can host online Flashcards and Quizzes on your Team page
• - Use the Team Discussion Board to post quick messages in real-time
• - Use the invitation engine to connect with your friends on Facebook and invite them to work with you
• - See what’s been happening while you were away with the Activity Feed

You can view a quick demo  below. When you’re ready,  join a team or create a new one!

View recent FunnelBrain Teams here or Create a new Team from the FunnelBrain Homepage