'Internet Study Halls' Could Double in 2012-2013 School Year, Chegg Announces

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- According to two recent surveys conducted by Chegg, the student hub, "Internet Study Halls" could double in the 2012-2013 school year as today's college students want to use digital content and collaborate online to enhance their education.  

Meeting demand for how students want to learn, Chegg's registered users have grown 45% since January 2012, including more than 75,000 students per day using Chegg's leading Homework Help and question and answer services during the spring.  In addition, more than one million high school students access Zinch, a Chegg company, which efficiently and effectively matches schools and potential scholarships to students.  

"There is a student-driven revolution taking place in higher education," said Chegg President and CEO Dan Rosensweig. "We're seeing students take back their education, empower themselves and look outside their schools for technology, tools and resources to help them succeed."

The surveys, both of which were conducted in July 2012, looked at college students' study habits and their attitudes toward using technology as a study tool.  Three key trends emerged from the results:

• Students are collaborating both in person and online.
  • 47% plan to or are considering using an online study group in the upcoming school year.
  • 40% would be very or extremely likely to use an online study group.
  • 51% would be likely or extremely likely to chat online with an expert in real time to answer questions.
  • The number of students planning to use online tutoring or homework help this school year is expected to double from last year. 
  • The number of students who might try online tutoring or homework help next year will increase 5X.
• The need for education-focused technology tools is exploding.
  • 64% would be very likely or extremely likely to use an online assistant that automatically compiles study materials for each class.
  • 45% would be very or extremely likely to use online courses.
  • 44% would be very likely or extremely likely to use an app store for finding learning tools.
  • 39% said online study guides are very helpful.
• Interactive content is the next frontier in education.
  • 67% said they would be very or extremely likely to use video tutorials that explain difficult concepts.
  • 62% would be very or extremely likely to use audio lectures of their class supplemented with lecture notes and highlights.
  • 32% said interactive simulations of concepts are very helpful.

Commensurate with student needs, Chegg's leading student network has increased the number of students, colleges and universities, products, content and services that students need to be successful. The company has successfully moved from being the leader and innovator in textbook rentals to now providing admission and scholarship matching, course selection and ranking, homework help and over 100,000 eTextbook offerings. Chegg's HTML5 based eTextbook Reader, accessible on any connected device, is also now available through Chegg's mobile app. 

Today, Chegg reaches more than 25% of college students and its Homework Help service is used at 95% of the largest 1,000 colleges.

Methodology:

Two surveys were executed in July 2012 using Survey Monkey on behalf of Chegg:

Survey One: Study Habits - 343 American undergraduate and graduate students were surveyed representing a cross section of majors and schools. The respondents, who were all registered Chegg users, were made up of the following: 8% freshman, 29% sophomores, 26% juniors, 24% seniors and 14% graduate students.  The survey ran from July 10^th – August 1^st, 2012.

Survey 2: Student Perspectives – 506 American undergraduate and graduate students were surveyed representing a cross section of majors and schools. The respondents, who were all registered Chegg users, were made up of the following: 3% incoming students, 17% freshman, 26% sophomores, 24% juniors, 26% seniors and 10% graduate students and 5% other (already graduated or not currently a registered student). The survey ran from July 16^th – August 1^st, 2012.

About Chegg:

Chegg, the student hub, is transforming the way millions of students learn by connecting them to the people and tools needed to succeed in college through homework help, course selection, eTextbook and textbook options as well as school and scholarship connections.  Students nationwide use Chegg 365 days a year to make learning easier, more accessible and more productive. As a part of the company's philanthropic efforts, Chegg is dedicated to its Chegg For Good program, which empowers students to be a catalyst for change on their campus, in their communities and around the world. Since its founding in 2007, Chegg's growth has made it one of Silicon Valley's most successful start-ups. From starting as a textbook rental company to evolving into an academic hub, Chegg is enhancing education for millions of students by saving them time, saving them money and helping them get smarter.  For more information, visit www.chegg.com.

SOURCE Chegg