ConnectStudy
Student collaboration and study group app
Overview
ConnectStudy was developed for a large public university seeking to improve student collaboration and academic support. The institution was facing challenges with study group formation, particularly for online and commuter students who struggled to coordinate with classmates. Traditional bulletin boards and email lists were ineffective for organizing study sessions, leading to inequitable access to peer learning opportunities. We created a comprehensive mobile platform that connects students based on courses, interests, and study preferences. The app enables seamless formation of both in-person and virtual study groups, resource sharing, and collaborative note-taking. Built-in scheduling features, virtual meeting integration, and campus space reservations remove logistical barriers to group study. Since its deployment, ConnectStudy has facilitated over 50,000 study sessions and significantly improved academic outcomes for participating students.
The Challenge
The university faced several critical challenges with student collaboration and academic support:
- Difficulty for online and commuter students to form study groups with peers
- Inefficient coordination of study sessions through bulletin boards and email lists
- Limited access to quiet, collaborative spaces on campus during peak study times
- Inequitable access to peer learning opportunities across different student demographics
- Lack of structured approach to virtual collaboration for remote students
- No centralized system for sharing course notes and study resources
Our Solution
We developed ConnectStudy, a comprehensive mobile platform designed to transform how university students collaborate and engage in peer learning. Our approach included:
Discovery Phase
We conducted extensive research through student and faculty surveys, focus groups, and analysis of existing study group formation patterns. This research revealed significant disparities in access to peer learning opportunities, particularly for commuter and online students.
Technical Architecture
We built ConnectStudy using React Native for cross-platform mobile support, with Firebase providing real-time database capabilities and user authentication. The backend uses Node.js and Express with MongoDB for data persistence. We integrated with the university's existing systems through API connections to course catalogs, student information, and campus resource management.
Key Features
- Intelligent study group matching based on courses, schedules, and learning preferences
- Integrated scheduling with calendar sync and automated reminders
- Virtual meeting spaces with screen sharing and session recording
- Collaborative document editing for shared notes and study guides
- Campus study space finder and reservation system
Deployment Strategy
We launched ConnectStudy with a pilot program in five high-enrollment courses before expanding to the entire university. Student ambassadors were recruited to promote the platform and provide peer-to-peer training, resulting in rapid adoption across campus.
System Architecture
This diagram illustrates the architecture and component relationships of the ConnectStudy system. It shows how different parts of the application interact to provide a comprehensive solution for our client's needs.
Key Features
- Course-based study group matching algorithm
- In-app scheduling with calendar integration
- Virtual meeting spaces with screen sharing and recording
- Collaborative document editing and note sharing
- Resource library with search and tagging functionality
- Campus study space reservation system
- Anonymous peer question and answer forum
- Study session reminders and notifications
- Progress tracking and study time analytics
- Academic performance correlation insights
Results
The implementation of ConnectStudy at the university has transformed student collaboration and academic support:
The platform has been particularly impactful for online and commuter students, who previously had limited access to peer learning opportunities. Academic performance data shows that students who regularly participate in ConnectStudy sessions achieve significantly higher grades across all disciplines. The virtual collaboration features have been especially valuable during periods of remote learning.
Project Details
Category
Mobile App
Sector
Education
Tech Stack
React Native, Firebase, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, Socket.io, Google Calendar API, Zoom API
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