StudyTribes draws upon group learning techniques that are proven effective at improving education outcomes in the classroom and makes it possible to create free classes that apply some of these techniques online. Open education advocates can use StudyTribes to produce unique real-time learning experiences around new or existing educational content.

With StudyTribes, teachers can upload class videos, insert breaks in the video for small group activities, and decide when the videos are broadcast. All students participate simultaneously during a class broadcast. At the predetermined breaks, students are assigned to small group chatrooms to participate in real-time collaborative activities and discussions designed to support learning goals.

Inspired by collaborative group learning at ITP and innovative open education initiatives such as Khan Academy, StudyTribes puts an ITP spin on the mission of making quality educational experiences accessible to all.