Insights on learning & AI
Research-backed articles on learning science, AI in education, career development, and the engineering behind Open University.
Why AI-Generated Curricula Outperform One-Size-Fits-All Courses
Traditional online courses are built for an average student who doesn't exist. A 20-year veteran and a complete beginner get the same content, the same pace, and the same assessments. We looked at the data from our first 50,000 learners to understand why personalized AI curricula achieve a 78% completion rate — compared to the industry average of 3–15%.
The Science Behind Spaced Repetition: Why You Forget and How to Fix It
The forgetting curve is real — within 24 hours, you lose up to 70% of newly learned information. Spaced repetition fights this by scheduling reviews at the precise moment before you forget. Here's how the SM-2 algorithm works and why it's built into every Open University course.
How to Learn Programming in 2026: A Complete Guide
With AI tools changing the landscape, what should new developers actually learn? We break down the skills that matter, the ones that don't, and a realistic timeline for going from zero to employable.
Building an AI Tutor That Actually Teaches (Not Just Answers)
The difference between a helpful AI and a great teacher is pedagogy. We explain how our AI tutor uses the Socratic method, context-aware prompting, and learning history to guide students toward understanding — instead of handing them answers.
The Optimal Study Session: What Learning Science Tells Us
How long should a study session be? When should you take breaks? Is re-reading effective? We surveyed the latest cognitive science research to build the ideal study session structure — and it's probably different from what you're doing now.
From MOOC to AI University: The Evolution of Online Education
MOOCs promised to democratize education. They delivered access but failed on completion and personalization. We trace the evolution from Coursera's early days through microlearning to today's AI-native platforms — and what comes next.
How Our Assessment Engine Detects (and Fills) Knowledge Gaps
Most assessments tell you what you got wrong. Ours tell you why and generate targeted remediation. We explain the architecture behind our adaptive assessment engine — from question generation to gap analysis to auto-remediation.
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