Kinetic FAQs

In this article, you will find answers to the following questions about OpenStax Kinetic:

What is Kinetic?

Kinetic is a research platform where real learners connect with research activities that give them a better understanding of:

  1. The characteristics that might affect their learning
  2. Study techniques and strategies that could be promising for online learning
  3. Research studies in human learning and key findings shared by Kinetic researchers

We have taken important steps to ensure that everything learners share with us is anonymized and that their privacy is protected at all times. Read more in our Privacy Notice.

Who is Kinetic for?

Kinetic is designed for both learners and researchers. Learners can access scientifically backed learning techniques and earn prizes while participating in research studies. We welcome all higher-education learners pursuing formal or informal education.

Researchers can connect with leading research and educational institutions, such as Rice University and OpenStax, to advance scientific understanding and answer key questions in learning and education research.

What steps is Kinetic taking to further DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)?

At OpenStax Kinetic, we continuously strive to understand the learners we serve and to identify systemic inequities in education. We believe that those who are closest to the process know the most about the key opportunities and challenges that characterize their learning context and resources.

We continuously seek out diverse and representative perspectives, both internally with our staff and externally with our end users, including students, educators, and researchers. With everything we do, we take concrete steps to analyze and address the learning impacts of our products on learners of diverse identities, so that we can be a part of the solution.

How does Kinetic work?

In partnership with a team of dedicated researchers in the field of learning sciences and allied disciplines, Kinetic connects real students to ongoing learning research.

Learners can find new studies published on the platform, choose the ones they are interested in, and complete them in a few minutes. Each time they participate, learners earn points for a chance to win prizes such as gift cards from Apple, Nike, and Amazon. They are also able to access feedback on learning techniques being studied by Kinetic researchers.

Researchers can build out their research activities in Qualtrics and publish their work within the platform. Through Kinetic, they are able to access real learners in their authentic learning environments within OpenStax, with the support of our dedicated in-house research team.

Who are the people behind Kinetic?

OpenStax is part of Rice University in Houston, Texas, and was founded by Professor Richard Baraniuk in 1999 with the mission of improving educational access and learning for everyone. As the newest member of the OpenStax product suite, Kinetic was launched in January 2022 to help answer critical questions in human learning and further our efforts to build more equitable learning experiences for all.

What are the benefits for researchers, research participants, and the research community?

  • For researchers, Kinetic creates a connection with real learners in their authentic learning environment, while providing secure access to data that can be used to conduct large-scale studies and generate nuanced findings about what works for whom, when, and in what context.

  • For participants, Kinetic provides personalized insights intended to help them grow as learners, as well as the opportunity to earn rewards in the process. It also connects them to cutting-edge research aimed at advancing the development of learning strategies and outcomes for all learners.

  • For the research community as a whole, Kinetic promotes increased collaboration and sharing of data and resources, leading to more impactful research and advancements in the field of digital learning. Built explicitly for researchers, Kinetic encourages sharing of promising findings with product teams and higher-education institutions, ensuring that research translates into meaningful changes in instructional practice.

Overall, OpenStax Kinetic aims to be a valuable tool for advancing the understanding of how technology can be used to improve educational experiences for every learner.

For more information about the roles in Kinetic, please visit the help articles below:

KineticStudentFaculty