How Nova teaches
An AI that asks before it answers.
Nova, Stardo's AI study buddy, is built on how learning works: questions first, hints over answers, practice, and plenty of it.
A essay chat with Nova.
Student: can you write my essay on why the Roman Empire fell? it's due friday
Nova: I won't write it for you, but I'll help you write a great one. Quick question first: what do you already think caused it?
Student: the economy? and all the invasions i guess
Nova: That's two strong causes already. Here's a plan to turn them into your argument:
Nova's plan, Fall of Rome essay: Mon, Pick your three causes; Tue, Find two sources for each; Wed, Outline: one cause per paragraph; Thu, Draft it in your own words; Fri, Read it aloud, fix, hand in.
The ideas behind Nova
Six things learning research agrees on.
Each one is simple. Doing all six, every day, is what Nova is for.
Start from what you know
New ideas stick when they hook onto what's already in your head.
Nova: Nova asks what you already think, and builds its explanation on it.
A little struggle helps
Working something out yourself, with a nudge, sticks better than being told.
Nova: Nova gives a hint for the next step instead of the whole answer.
Practise remembering
Pulling an answer out of your memory strengthens it far more than reading it again.
Nova: Nova quizzes you, makes flashcards and writes practice tests from your own work.
Space it out
Short sessions spread over days beat one long session the night before.
Nova: Flashcards come back just before you'd forget them, and the study planner spreads sessions out.
Break it down
Big work gets done in small steps with dates, not in one go.
Nova: Nova turns an assignment into steps spread out before it's due, on your timeline.
Learn from mistakes
Knowing why an answer was wrong is how you get the next one right.
Nova: Nova checks your answer and explains what went wrong; practice tests explain every question.
Nova's rules
What Nova will and won't do.
The same rules for every student, every subject.
Nova will
- Explain a topic another way until it clicks
- Ask what you already know, then give hints
- Break big work into steps with dates
- Make flashcards and quiz you before a test
- Check your answer and explain what went wrong
Nova won't
- Write an essay or answers for you to hand in
- Do a test or quiz for you
- Pretend to be you
- Show your chats to parents or teachers
Questions
Questions about Nova
Why won't Nova just give me the answer?
Because the answer is the easy part. If Nova hands it over, you've got one answer; if it helps you find it, you can find the next one yourself, including in the test.
Is Nova an AI tutor?
It's an AI study buddy: it explains, asks questions, gives hints, quizzes you and plans your work, any time. It doesn't replace your teacher, who knows the course and you.
Can Nova be wrong?
Yes. Like every AI, Nova can make mistakes and sound sure about them. Check facts against your notes, textbook or teacher, especially numbers, dates and quotes.
Which AI does Nova use?
Nova runs on OpenAI's models, through OpenAI or Microsoft's Azure OpenAI service. It sends the AI only what a request needs.
Is Nova free?
Nova is free to start, with a weekly allowance of Stardust, its credits. Plus gives much more of Nova, the better model for hard questions, and study packs.