Reports that students still prefer print
textbooks when studying are old news. San Jose State University and
Hewlett-Packard are trying to find out why and if there is a middle ground
between print and digital.
The SJSU School of Library and
Information Science and HP launched a pilot this summer to compare electronic and print textbooks using a personalized
hybrid tool offered in two of the school’s online master’s degree programs.
Instructors use METIS (Meaningful
Education and Training Information System) to compile reading materials by
combing PDFs and URLs of chapters they want students to read and create
specific assignments from that content. The platform allows them to follow
students’ work and find content that best fits the needs and interests of
individual students.
Students can access course material
as an e-book or print it out using the platform. Digital content includes
embedded links and multimedia, while print versions use QR codes that lead to the
same material. METIS also allows students to organize color-coded notes that
connect to relevant content in the course materials.
“We are trying to learn what
students prefer when it comes to working with print material and digital
versions of the material,” said Debbie Faires, director of online learning at
the SJSU information school.
“Faculty members can use what we learn about the best formats to support
student learning when they select the types of reading materials and formats
they will use in their classes.”
