The jagged study zone model helps designers to create educational environments which challenge the learner and make the learner to commit to the learning process. The characteristics of a jagged study zone can be explained by showing how its features are related to traditional closed and open learning environments. The requirements for a jagged study zone are identified by extracting the strengths and opportunities of the closed and open learning environments, and by combining them to the opposites of weaknesses and threats of those traditional environments. This paper shows examples how the jagged study zones can be supported, and it discusses the role of the teacher when considering the jagged study zone model. (Contains 16 references and 2 tables.) (Author)