New Research From BISG: Highlights from "Student Attitudes Toward Content in Higher Education" Report

The full text report is fee-based but here are a few numbers from the news release.

The first installment in Volume Two of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG)’s ongoing Student Attitudes Toward Content in Higher Education survey shows that students are rebelling against the rising costs of textbooks in a variety of ways. Some students are settling for older editions of assigned textbooks. In fact, less than 60% of surveyed students purchased current print editions — new or used. The frequency of illicit behavior such as photocopying (measured for the first time in this survey) is less than expected. Still, it remains an issue with 4.1% of students saying they engage in these practices frequently and almost 25% saying they do this occasionally. Among the legal, low-cost alternatives students are exploring are textbook rentals, which 11% of respondents report using, a significant increase over the past year.
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When a core textbook was part of an integrated learning system, respondents rated its value and overall satisfaction level an average of more than 14% higher than a textbook that was not part of such a system. Further, interactive whiteboards have now become the most common classroom technology, with over 38% of respondents reporting usage “to a large extent.”
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Though mobile devices are increasingly commonplace, they continue to be underutilized for academic content. For example, while more than 60% of respondents report owning a smartphone, learning and class management apps are not widely used. The pressure is on to leverage the use of these devices in the higher ed space. Nearly 15% of respondents have a tablet device now, with another 30+% reporting an interest in acquiring an Apple iPad. And, about 46% of students expressed interest in getting textbooks on their iPad.
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Student Attitudes Toward Content in Higher Education focuses on college student perceptions related to educational content and presentation media in the higher education marketplace. Volume Two is powered by Bowker Market Research and sponsored by Baker & Taylor, Cengage Learning, Chegg, CourseSmart, Follett Higher Education Group, Half.com, Kno, the National Association of College Stores (NACS), and Pearson.

Read the Complete News Release/Ordering Information

Filed under: Academic Libraries, Gale, Management and Leadership, News, Publishing, School Libraries