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As digital learning continues to evolve, eTextbooks are becoming an essential resource for students, offering features that traditional textbooks simply can't match.  

����app eTextbooks are available as part of a MyLab^® & Mastering^® course or with a subscription to ����app+. Each title contains a variety of study tools and resources designed to increase student engagement and maximize learning.  

Here are the top eTextbook features that every instructor should know to help their students make the most of their studying – and their time. 

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Utilizing audiobooks offers students a flexible and accessible way to engage with course materials, especially for those who prefer auditory learning or have busy schedules.

With audiobooks, students can learn on the go, turning a commute or exercise time into productive study sessions. This format also supports better comprehension for students who may struggle with reading large volumes of text or those with visual impairments (read-along spotlighting helps students follow along as they listen). By providing an alternative method of absorbing information, audiobooks help students review material in a convenient and engaging way. 

Highlights & notes 

Within the eTextbook, students can create notes and highlights to ensure they engage with the material in real time – promoting active reading, which greatly enhances learning and retention. Actively engaging with the course material you’ve adopted will help students increase understanding and boost critical thinking.

The ability to categorize notes or highlights in different colors and patterns helps students better organize and track themes or important concepts throughout the text. Notes and highlights can be easily organized, searched, and revisited later in the notebook, making it much easier for students to review for exams without flipping – or scrolling – through the pages.  

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Incorporating flashcards into the eTextbook experience offers a dynamic way to reinforce learning. Students can create their own flashcards or use the pre-built flashcards created for their title. Study sessions are more efficient as flashcards are integrated directly into the eTextbook experience.

Flashcards allow students to actively engage in self-assessment by reviewing key terms and concepts in a quick and interactive format. Repetition and spaced learning methods strengthen memory, making it easier for students to recall information during exams or practical applications.   

AI-powered study tool* 

With capabilities like simplified explanations, on-demand summaries, and choose -our-own practice, the AI-powered study tool in an eTextbook helps students break down complex material, focus on key concepts, and receive guidance with challenging concepts to improve learning in the moment.

This intuitive, 24/7 study companion draws from vetted ����app content to keep students engaged with the materials you’ve chosen for your course. The AI study tool gives students the simplicity they crave, eliminating the need to leave their assigned course material for help. Instead, support is provided anytime, anywhere within the assigned textbook. 

Text translation 

Translation capabilities in eTextbooks are powerful tools for students who are non-native speakers or studying foreign languages.

With the translate feature, students can highlight words or sections of text and effortlessly translate text on-screen in one of over 100 languages. This feature enables instant translation of words, sections of text, and unfamiliar terms, making the content more accessible and reducing language barriers.

This promotes a deeper understanding of the material and allows students to focus on learning the subject rather than struggling with language comprehension. Translation tools also help students expand their vocabulary in both their native and target languages, enhancing their overall learning experience. 

Enhanced search 

One of the top features of eTextbooks is enhanced search, which enables students to quickly find relevant content for study and review. With a minimum of three characters, search results will populate with related media, images, key terms, and even the student's own notes. 

����app+ mobile app 

The ����app+ mobile app provides students with access to all their ����app eTextbooks in one place. They can get anytime, anywhere access and take advantage of learning on the go – no wifi needed. 

*Available in select titles for the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 academic terms. 

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To learn more about ����app+, go to ��/en-us/higher-education/products-services/pearsonplus.html  �� ��

Looking for data-driven strategies to encourage student engagement and improved study with an eTextbook? Listen into this webinar hosted by ����app Research Scientists.
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Justin Hoshaw, associate professor of biology at Waubonsee Community College, knows that an educator must always search for more effective ways to support their students’ learning, which is why he has used ����app's cutting-edge online learning platforms and eTextbooks in his classes for years.

Recently, Justin and a colleague conducted an extensive evaluation of their microbiology course, which included the consideration of new options for the course’s primary textbook. During their search, they reviewed Microbiology: Basic and Clinical Principles by Lourdes P. Norman-McKay. Both were so impressed with the eTextbook that they were the first educators in the country to adopt it — even before it was officially published.   

eTextbook features that support student learning

eTextbooks offer an array of unique features to support students’ learning.

1. highlight and take notes
2. search for a specific term or idea
3. make flashcards based on key concepts
4. listen to the audio version*

The benefits of making the switch to eTextbooks

Previously, Justin encouraged his students to buy the print version of his course’s textbook, but he changed his mind after witnessing the many advantages of eTextbooks for students and educators.

For students, the ability to highlight and take notes in the eTextbook can help with overall comprehension. And when it’s time to prepare for assessments, they can use their annotations (as well as the learning objectives that accompany each section) to focus their study efforts and maximize their efficiency. As Justin says, “There are some students that are going to go back and reread the whole chapter when studying for an exam. No, let’s go back and look at those highlights. Look at the comments you added into the text. It will save you time. It will help you focus on those important concepts that you’ve already highlighted and already commented on. You are going to be more successful reflecting on that information.”

The ����app+ mobile app that offers both the eTextbook and audiobook options is especially beneficial for busy students. The convenience and flexibility of accessing their course materials on the go helps them keep up with their assignments. “There is a benefit to being able to go through and read the text, but then having the audio to listen to as they are reading, I think that really helps reinforce the information for the students. It helps keep them on track,” says Justin.

As an educator, Justin also finds many of the features of eTextbooks and the Mastering online learning platform helpful, particularly the instructor dashboard. The analytics provided within Mastering Microbiology help him understand how his students are interacting with the eTextbook. “That was something that caused me to take a second look at having students use the eTextbook, the ability for the faculty member to go in and identify how long students have spent reading, how many comments they’ve made, how many highlights they’ve made,” he says. This is valuable information that Justin can use to support students who are struggling or falling behind in the course.

The feature Justin found most impressive about Norman-McKay's eTextbook in particular was the way the content guided students through the learning process. "What clinched the deal was the study recommendations and coaching throughout the text,” he says. “I had never seen so many tips for students to keep in mind that would help them understand the material. It was as if the instruction was already embedded into the text and coaching them along.”

Justin’s students agree that the layout of the content and the tone of the writing made them feel more engaged with the information. “They felt like they had a tutor right there with them while they were reading the text, Justin remarks.

����app partners with innovative authors to create enriching experiences that meet learners where they are and inspire them to love learning. Justin’s experiences with ����app eTextbooks and online learning platforms has convinced him that he made the right choice to switch from print to digital.

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*Audiobook available in most titles

There is so much breadth and depth to what ����app can do to help you and your students achieve the best learning outcomes.�� Consider the following features and benefits that eTextbooks offer. And learn why a growing audience of instructors and students are taking advantage of our remarkable ����app+ subscription capabilities. In fact, nearly 5 million subscribers have embraced the ����app+ subscription platform.��

To begin, we will focus on eTextbooks. They are more popular than ever. Don’t just take our word for it. A great deal of research over the past five years shows that well-designed digital content can be understood as effectively as print and offers added benefits for students.*����

Remember, not all of your students are fully acquainted with all the capabilities of eTextbooks. Take the time at the beginning of your next course to be sure you communicate all the features and benefits of any new eTextbook, as well as ����app+.��

Affordability����

In many cases digital eTextbooks are up to 80% cheaper than traditional printed textbooks. With our ����app+ platform, students can subscribe to their course etextbooks at one low monthly rate or pay for the semester upfront. At the end of their subscription term, students have the flexibility to cancel, renew, or change titles to accommodate their learning needs. ����app offers a range of features that appeal to a variety of learning styles. The user experience is elegant and intuitive.  Naturally that means the navigation makes it easy for students to make their way through the content. Many of our etextbook titles have embedded audio and video to engage students and help them understand difficult concepts in the course.�� Full audiobooks are available for most titles which can help with comprehension, retention, and gives students the option to listen on the go.��

In addition, no one should underestimate the value of adjusting the speed of any audio. Certain students may choose a slower speed, but many prefer to accelerate the audio for more efficiency. In addition, a student listening may strengthen comprehension further and even activate the highlighting of the text in sync with the audio.��

Interactive features like charts and diagrams make it easier for students who may prefer to explore and analyze such engaging visuals.��

Interactivity strengthens how students study��

Markup and additional interactive features make it easier for studying than ever before. They can customize the display of content. And students are happy to know that once they return to any content, the eTextbook remembers where they left off and the learner can dive right back in.��

Additional benefits for studying include:����

• Notetaking����
• Pre-built flashcards**��
• Create your own flashcards����
• Highlighting����
• Bookmarking��
• Adjusting the point size of the text ��

And the robust enhanced search engine even offers an excellent sub-menu referencing groupings of relevant videos, key terms and interactive media. In fact, ����app+ is exploring a possible new etextbook feature regarding the way students learn, from an individual experience to a social one. Students can see who else is studying, start discussions and post links and videos. The social experience within the eTextbook is global, giving all users the ability to engage. The experience is not limited to students in a certain class at a specific university.����

Encourage your students to learn in the way they learn best.����

Content Mastery��

A study by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation found that when students take courses that engage digitally and in-person, content mastery can occur twice as quickly, and pass rates for at-risk students can increase by 33%.��

����app+. Anywhere, anytime��

The ����app+ subscription platform is the ideal way students can access eTextbooks. Among other compelling features, with ����app+ they can consolidate all their eTextbooks, videos, audio, study tools, and supportive content all in one place. Naturally, this allows your students to work more efficiently.����

There’s an app for this��

With the ����app+ mobile app, students can pick up at any point where they left off and learn on the go. Learners can easily read offline right in our app. So they can have more freedom to make the most of their day. Here are some of the main reasons the platform and the app are so appealing.��

Once selected, they have immediate access to the content. Students can learn on the go (with online and offline access). They can learn with their eTextbooks wherever life takes them. ����app+ offers students instant access to their eTextbooks, videos and study tools, all in one place. With easy access through a subscription or their �ѲⳢ����® or �Ѳ����ٱ�����Բ�® course, our intuitive interface, enhanced search, highlights, notes, and audiobooks allow them to choose how they learn best.��

Meet your students where they are��

So why not meet students where they are, figuratively and literally. Everyone knows they are often on the run. The content is optimized for a learner’s phone or another mobile device. It’s a no-brainer for today’s tech-savvy generation. Your students are certainly accustomed to processing information from smart phones and other mobile devices. ����

We are also mindful of working learners. The convenience of ����app+ gives them the flexibility to learn wherever and whenever best suits their needs and their busy work schedule. Any student on the go can listen to an eTextbook while cooking, cleaning, driving or while tackling whatever task happens to be in front of them.����

Lastly, be sure to take full advantage of our grade-technology too. It’s a familiar feature for your class and a time-saver for you. So you can focus on additional priorities.��

Go ahead. Be the best instructor you can be. Learn more about eTextbooks and ����app+ today.��

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*Webinar: /us/about/news-events/events/2021/12/digital-reading-in-the-modern-world.html

** Available in most titles