Debate: Are interactive textbooks actually better than paper ones?

I've been seeing a lot of teachers push for digital textbooks with embedded quizzes and videos, but my students keep zoning out on the screen. Last week in my classroom in Cleveland, I gave half the class a paper textbook and half a digital one on the same topic, and the paper group scored 20% higher on the quiz. Which side are you on for learning retention?

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morgan.nancy6d ago

Just saw a study from some university researchers that said our brains actually process paper text differently than screens. The theory is that physical pages give your brain spatial cues like where you are in the chapter, right down to that dogeared corner or the feeling of flipping pages. I've noticed it myself when trying to learn new workout routines from a pdf versus a printed handout. The paper group probably had less distractions too, no popup notifications or the temptation to switch tabs. Interactive features can be helpful but maybe they just work better as a supplement rather than the main course.