1. OPEN YOUR BOOKS
AND TURN TO PAGE 10
Getting students to use their e-textbooks
Presented by
Reggie Cobb
Biology Instructor, Nash Community College
Technology Power User for Cengage Learning

2. I. Introduction:
Background Information
• Have taught biology online since 2001
• General Biology
• Environmental Biology
• Human Biology
• Human Genetics
• First online classes
• Textbooks
• main source of course content
• possibly a link to the textbook website
• Learning Management System (LMS)
• Provide documents (syllabus / handouts)
• Communication using Discussion Boards
• Place to submit assignments
• Online Exams

3. I. Introduction:
Background Information (continued)
• Beginning 2007-08
• Textbooks
• Began providing more online learning tools for students
• Supplemented (optional)
• LMS
• Still the primary tool used in courses
• 2010-2013
• Textbooks
• Began providing e-texts along with regular textbooks
• Advanced online learning tools and multimedia included with textbooks
• Students required to complete assignments on textbook site
• LMS
• Continued to be the primary tool used in courses

4. I. Introduction:
Background Information (continued)
• Recently
• Textbooks
• A few students began purchasing e-text only (with online learning program)
• Online learning program required and used extensively
• LMS
• Documents and links to supplemental media
• Communication
• Online Exams
• Dilemma
• Students must go to several places to access
information and complete assignments
• Internet is very distracting
• Many of my students work full time, have families,
and try to take a full load of classes

5. II. Introduction:
Hypothesis
Incorporating an Interactive E-Text will promote student success.
• Students want/need to focus on learning
• Limited time – more guidance needed
• Providing a “one-stop-shop” can reduce the distractions
and help students focus on their learning
• Providing a “Learning Path” to help guide students is important
• Computers/Tablets are now affordable

6. III. Materials and Methods:
Materials - Cengage Learning’s MindTap
• Textbook specific online learning program
• Personalized Teaching
• Allows instructors to create a Learning Path for their students
• The e-text is embedded within the Learning Path
• Divided into small sections – “chunks”
• Multiple types of multimedia can be added to the learning
path or directly into the e-text
+ =

7. III. Materials and Methods:
Methods - (1) Create Learning Path

8. III. Materials and Methods:
Methods - (2) Include E-Text in Learning Path

9. III. Materials and Methods:
Methods - (3) Take advantage of divided E-Text

10. III. Materials and Methods:
Methods - (4) Personalize and add multimedia

11. IV: Results:
Benefits of Interactive E-Text
• Students are guided one step a time
• Distractions are reduced which promotes learning
• Dividing e-text into sections makes it more manageable
• Incorporating media and supporting files within e-text
forces students to at least “open” the textbook
• Personal results
• More students with A’s and B’s
and less with low C’s and D’s
• Unfortunately, several other factors may have contributed
• Non-majors biology course options became available for students
seeking Associate of Arts degrees
• Additional activities that require students to engage with the material
were added to course requirements

12. IV: Results:
Disadvantages of Interactive E-Text
• Time
• It takes time to create and/or add multimedia and links
• Availability
• Not all students have the technology at home
• Accessibility
• Currently available through a web-browser
• When websites are updated, links within the
E-Text must be updated

13. V. Discussion:
Interactivite E-Text –Work in Progress
• Personally
• The hypothesis is accepted – incorporating an
interactive e-text promoted student learning
• Personalizing and adding multimedia links to
MindTap is a work in progress
• Other Comments
• MindTap has the following tools that were not discussed
• ReadSpeaker
• Collaboration area called the ConnectYard
• Interactive Flashcards
• Notebook and Highlights section – highlight/save specific text
• Manageable online testing features with CNow

14. THANK YOU!
Do you have any questions?
Reggie Cobb
rcobb@nashcc.edu

15. Credits
• Images
• Slide 2
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology
• http://www.oocities.org/trooperselectronics/COMPUTER_SETS_2001.jpg
• Slide 3
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop
• Slide 4
• http://www.intelegia.com/en/files/2011/10/dilemma-270x300.jpg
• Slide 5
• http://www.travelandleisure.com/images/media/0000/7655/201212-b-electronic-devices.jpg
• Slide 6
• http://www.cengagebrain.com/static/storefront/US/images/free_eChapter_ipad.png
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Youtube_icon.svg
• http://logos.wikia.com/wiki/Microsoft_PowerPoint
• http://www.logoeps.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/adobe_pdf-logo.jpg
• http://png.findicons.com/files/icons/2275/sinem/128/jpeg_file_icon.png
• MindTap Screenshot – R. Cobb 2014
• Slide 7-10, 13
• MindTap Screenshots – R. Cobb 2014
• Slide 14
• http://www.nashcc.edu
• http://news.cengage.com/images-for-media/