Question

Top 10 things to tell a new OpenStudy user. Lets compile a list together.

Answer 1

1. How to ask/answer questions
2. Explanation of the tools (like draw and equation)
3. How to get points and level up

Answer 2

4. to not ask in the wrong group

Answer 3

5. Do not repeat same question every few minutes

Answer 4

6. be nice to people ahem ngirly3

Answer 5

Any guidance on how questions should be asked or how help should be given (do not say the Answer is b), but explain, or don't answer a q when it is in the wrong study group, especially when someone has pointed that out.

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

Great list. Thanks

Answer 8

welcome

Answer 9

Please ask you ENTIRE question the first time around. Things like "I need help with my essay" doesn't give us enough information. We need to know what it's about, what your thesis is, what you have written so far, etc...
the more information you give, the better, and faster, answers you will get.
I am speaking from experience, from the writing group.
Thank you. :)

Answer 10

it happens everywhere though

Answer 11

yes tht is right

Answer 12

>Any guidance on how questions should be asked or how help should be given (do not say the Answer is b), but explain, or don't answer a q when it is in the wrong study group, especially when someone has pointed that out. (Preetha)

Generally speaking, those who answer questions should aim to do the following:

1) Ask how far the student has gotten on the particular problem before getting stuck. ("show me your best effort so far.")

2) Please DO NOT just give an answer in the absence of context and/or an explanation. "x=7" or "B". Those do not help the student LEARN anything or gain ANY insight into the nature of the problem or their mis/understanding of the problem.

Obviously people will do as they please, and I'm in no way saying strict rules should be enforced, but if the goal is to help students learn and think then we should consider that GIVING them the answer isn't going to help them be able to SOLVE problems down the road.

Answer 13

I like this. When do you think we should tell a new user all this? Before sign up or after.

Answer 14

After

Answer 15

Maybe before they click "I agree.."

Answer 16

but...those are tips to tell a new student...maybe you should add a tutorial or something like that...one tutorial that is obligatory

Answer 17

I would never put such guides in the sign up process. It will just cause people to drop off. It should be provided when they post their first question to whatever forum. And, there should be an easy link to it such that anyone on the system can point "abusers" or "ignorant" posters to that link.