New insights based on over 1,600 student responses to the latest survey in BISG's ongoing study tracking the content and tools students say they actually use, points to the increasing role of technology in shaping the future of higher education

1. BISG’s Higher Ed Conference: Adapt, Learn, Innovate
April 28, 2015 | New York City
Student Attitudes Toward Content
in Higher Education

2.  Twice-annual survey of US college students,
conducted online
 Now in its 5th annual volume
 1,600 respondents from two-year, four-year,
public, and private institutions
 Features trend data for 2010-2014
 Accompanied by a faculty survey each
spring
Student Attitudes

3. Thanks to our sponsors!
PLATINUM
SPONSOR
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SPONSORS

4. Textbook Requirement
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Fall 2010 Spring
2011
Fall 2011 Spring
2012
Fall 2012 Spring
2013
Fall 2013 Spring
2014
Fall 2014

5. 28% of students
now report their textbooks
were “recommended” –
not “required.”

6. 50%
16%
29%
5%
Print
Digital
Some aspects of both
No preference
Students Prefer Print

7. Going Digital
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Fall 2012 Spring 2013 Fall 2013 Spring 2014 Fall 2014

8. Going Digital
AVERAGE
50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Pays for own materials
Female
Attending 4-year college
Senior/4th year student
Took online course
Junior/3rd year student
Used ILS

9. Going Digital

10. Going Digital
35%
48%
42%
55%
58%
52%
38%
19%
22%
17%
15%
15%
27%
33%
36%
28%
27%
33%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Price
Subscription length
Note-taking ability
Design
Features
Overall
Satisfied
Not satisfied
Neutral

11. 37%
31%
17%
15%
Rent
Buy
Download
Borrow
Going Digital

12. Textbook Acquisition

13. Textbook Acquisition

14. Acquisition Decision Factors
27%
34%
36%
37%
57%
41%
40%
43%
39%
30%
32%
26%
21%
24%
13%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Supplements
Availability
Condition
Delivery speed
Price
Very important Somewhat important Not important/NA

15. 27% of students feel that
current textbook prices are
reasonable given their value.

16. Illicit Acquisition Behaviors
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Fall 2012 Spring
2013
Fall 2013 Spring
2014
Fall 2014
Photocopied/scanned
content from other students
Downloaded digital content
from other students
Acquired content from pirate
website
Acquired international
versions of texts

17. Illicit Acquisition Behaviors
1. Textbooks are too expensive
2. I have a small budget for books
3. Instructor doesn’t use materials
enough to justify purchase
4. Student loans are already too high
5. Course content should be free

18. DOMINANT SUBSCRIPTION MODELS
Integrated Learning Systems

19. 38%
62%
Yes
No
Integrated Learning Systems
Have you taken a class using an Integrated Learning System?

20. Integrated Learning Systems

21. Integrated Learning Systems
45%
46%
48%
50%
52%
53%
57%
12%
12%
14%
12%
11%
9%
10%
43%
42%
38%
38%
37%
38%
33%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Tailoring content to your needs
Providing assessments
Reducing study time
Mastering concepts
Improving your grade
Completing assignments
Preparing for quizzing/exams
Better
Worse
Neutral/NA

22. How Students Define Value
1. Helps me prepare for quizzes and
exams
2. Helps me complete assignments
3. Provides skills/knowledge to
prepare me for my career
4. Helps me improve my grade
5. Helps me master difficult concepts

23. Active Learning

24. Active Learning

25. Active Learning

26. 52%
18%
30%
I would rather pay $100 for a learning solution that
improves my result by one letter grade and reduces my
study time by 25% than $50 for my current textbook.
Agree
Disagree
Neutral

27. Nadine Vassallo
Project Manager, Research &
Information
Book Industry Study Group
nadine@bisg.org
Enter code ALI2015
at www.bisg.org for
20% off any Student
Attitudes product!