When Textbooks Read You!

Learning Research

When Textbooks Read You!

Sep 28, 2015

OVER YOUR SHOULDER: Your professor and your textbook know you’re skimming. A new study from Iowa State University examined the habits of students using digital textbooks from CourseSmart, which record student reading habits. One useful stat: The study found that students read a median 169 minutes per semester--hardly enough, for instance, to get through a decent spy novel.

Researchers also compiled an “engagement index,” based on students’ highlighting and minutes spent reading. They found that this index predicted performance more accurately than even past grades. However, when each attribute of the “engagement index” was studied, the amount of minutes spent reading was ultimately most indicative of course outcomes, even more so than the index itself. The researchers stipulate that these findings could help professors identify struggling students as the latter worked through assignments.

Learn more about EdSurge operations, ethics and policies here. Learn more about EdSurge supporters here.

More from EdSurge

Get our email newsletterSign me up
Keep up to date with our email newsletterSign me up