Odigia has come to market this fall in partnership with OpenStax College to offer an innovative educational platform that transforms the traditional classroom experience with personalized tools. The system is designed for college-level learning, and also is used by businesses and non-profit organizations for advanced training.
“We’re not digitizing the traditional learning experience, we’re transforming the entire learning model for students and teachers,” said Joshua Moe, CEO of Odigia. “We support true student engagement and ways for students to progress through content using their own learning styles, at their own pace, using the tools that help them learn best. Odigia also provides teachers with real-time learning data, giving insight into how to best use class time. Traditional learning management systems (LMS) don’t track student learning the way we do, so this is a big breakthrough.”
The Odigia system is based on Next Generation learning concepts and transforms traditional, linear, one-size-fits-all educational content into personalized learning experiences. The system engages all learning styles through questions and allows learners to apply knowledge and skills. The system also uses game theory to promote learner engagement, measure progress and inform peer-to-peer review. Interactives, progress bars, concept icons and assessments transform learning into engaging experiences that develop critical thinking, problem-solving and communications skills that are critical for success in today’s workforce.
Odigia uses content provided by OpenStax College, Rice University’s non-profit educational materials initiative. OpenStax College develops textbooks that are free, peer-reviewed and meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory college courses.
Courses available this fall include College Algebra, Algebra and Trigonometry, Precalculus, Introductory Statistics, Concepts of Biology, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, Principles of Macroeconomics, Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Economics, Sociology 2e, U.S. History, Chemistry and College Physics.
“Our partnership with Odigia benefits our user community in that it combines our high-quality textbook content with innovative tools and technology based on learning styles, game-theory and inquiry-based techniques,” said David Harris, Editor in Chief for OpenStax College.
Through an easy-to-use interface, content is delivered as text, images and graphics, videos, interactives, quizzes and other rich media. The system allows for self-directed learning to enable students to progress through course content at their own pace and focus on areas that are most relevant to them. As a student goes through a course, the system tracks their progress as they work through easily digestible “chunks” of information. Students are able to use robust study tools that easily and seamlessly add their notes, pose questions to other students or the teacher, share additional information, use interactive glossaries and more. Teachers and students also are able to source useful documents that enhance understanding of any portion of the material. Students and teachers see their progress; and the system allows for testing of their understanding of the material. Real-time data provided to the teacher lets them see how the class is comprehending the course content and where there are gaps in learning so that class time can be more productive. Students and teachers can access content anywhere, from any device, without the need for downloading additional plug-ins or software.
“The difference with Odigia is that we allow you to be proactive versus reactive,” added Moe. “The biggest problems with traditional learning management systems are that they merely digitize outdated models of learning. Plus, they are hard to use. We’ve uniquely tied next generation learning tools together into a seamless, easy-to-use solution. The learning data we’re able to provide allows the teacher to foresee student outcomes and operate ahead of the class, not merely assess past performance of students in their classroom.”
Another benefit of using Odigia is the cost saving afforded to students. Odigia reduces the cost of textbooks by up to 90 percent. “Reducing the cost-barrier to education is very important to us,” added Moe. “For example, the typical Introduction to Biology textbook typically costs over $300. A student using Odigia would only pay $25 for his material. The savings are huge when you then look at students taking this biology course at just one university. These students would save more than $240,000, all while having better learning experiences and outcomes.”
