Bringing Book Club to Class: Engaging College Students in Reading Content-Specific Books Written for Popular Audiences

• In Event: 64.089 - Sheraton Roundtable 12 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 64.089-1 - Innovative Approaches to Supporting Student Success

Abstract

Engaging students in completing assigned reading material, particularly textbooks, is a challenge faced by many college professors in this “post-truth” era. Given this, it is no surprise that research has demonstrated student compliance is typically low with reading assigned course textbooks (Hoeft, 2012). This study explores the impact of assigning content-specific books written for popular audiences and having students participate in an associated “book group” in an undergraduate class. Survey findings indicate that most students experienced reading a book written for popular audiences as more engaging and enjoyable than textbook reading. An analysis of student reflection papers provides further evidence that this assignment successfully engaged students with content-specific readings.

Author

• Lesley Sylvan, Montclair State University