by BrainStream CEO Steve Alcorn
How BrainStream Will Take “Study Mode” Further
OpenAI’s recent video introducing ChatGPT’s Study Mode highlights an important truth: effective learning isn’t just about finding the right answer — it’s about recognizing what you don’t yet understand.
In a youtube video, Justin Sung, a professional education coach, makes a crucial point: even the best adaptive systems can’t fully help a student who isn’t aware of their own knowledge gaps.
That’s the challenge BrainStream is built to solve.
Unlike traditional tutoring apps that react to mistakes, BrainStream is designed to measure comprehension at a conceptual level. Our platform doesn’t stop at testing recall — it tracks how users interact with course material, identifies hesitation or avoidance patterns, and compares those signals to quiz outcomes. By mapping these patterns, BrainStream builds a profile of what each learner thinks they know versus what they actually understand.
But metrics alone aren’t enough. The next evolution in personalized learning will involve teaching students to self-analyze — to articulate uncertainty, flag confusing sections, and reflect on why a concept feels unclear. BrainStream will integrate these reflective checkpoints directly into the learning flow, prompting users to pause, reassess, and engage metacognitively before moving forward.
When students learn to see their blind spots, technology can finally see them too. That’s how AI tutoring becomes less about answers, and more about understanding.