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 The CircleIn app is a new study resource now offered to students at Grand View University. 

Carl Moses, vice president for academic affairs, was a part of getting the app to GV. It’s meant to help students collaborate, study and help each other with assignments. 

 “So, let’s say you are in Biology 101,” Moses said. “Every student in Biology 101 can log in into the app and be there, and you can ask questions, create flashcards and share them. You can create study groups, and you can earn points, and you can cash in your points for a Starbucks or Target gift card.” 

 GV became interested in the CircleIn app last fall. Once it had been enhanced with additional features, GV decided to launch it to students in January 2021. 

 “(CircleIn) offered us the ability to try it out this spring at a significant reduced rate,” Moses said. 

The national science foundation offered CircleIn a grant that allowed GV to have a discount and provide it to the students. 

 Pam Christoffers, the associate vice president of institutional effectiveness at GV, said the purpose of this app is to allow students to support each other through virtual learning. It’s a collaborative learning space so that students can help each other with assignments and answer each other’s questions. Students can access this app at any time of the day. 

 “Conversations have been reduced, and it is harder to create study groups,” Christoffers said. “Research shows that peer-to-peer learning is really important.” 

 The best way to learn is by showing or teaching someone else. Because of this app, you can reach your classmates at any time. 

Moses said that the app benefits for students who feel unsafe due to the pandemic and those who are in quarantine. It’s helpful to have this digital platform for students to still be able to work together despite not being able to physically be in the same room. In the app, there is a place to create flashcards, notes and ask questions to your fellow classmates. 

Jade Horning, the student success program manager at GV, said that the app provides multiple tools in one space. This allows students to stay connected. 

“With CircleIn, everyone is in the circle,” Christoffers said. “Everybody is connected that is in that class and can ask questions and be part of that support network.” 

GV is also setting it up where students can contact tutors on the app. Tutors will be available in the app to answer questions. This can be very helpful if a student has a question while doing homework because they don’t have to wait until the next day to get help. 

Students can either download the app in the local app store or find a link to the CircleIn app on the MyView page. It is under the common apps column right underneath the GV Self Service link. All someone has to do is click on the app and then put in GV, and it will have them make an account, which is completely free to the students. 

About 50% of undergraduates have downloaded and started using the app so far. The student body government, Viking Council, has supported communicating with students about the app. Feeling connected to people is a big part of success in college, and GV is hoping that the app helps with that.