Study: Using Discovery Education's Science Techbook Improves Student Achievement
A new study has found that using the Discovery Education Science Techbook is associated with higher science achievement scores in elementary school students. Conducted by independent research firm Merola Research, the study reviewed science results on the 2013 Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) for fourth-grade students in York County, SC.
During the 2012-2013 school year, Rock Hill School District Three partnered with Discovery Education to pilot the digital textbook for their K-5 science curriculum. Key findings from the study include the following:
- Fourth-grade students whose teachers used the Science Techbook for instruction scored six points higher on average on the 2013 Science PASS than fourth-grade students whose teachers had not used the Science Techbook.
- Students in classrooms using the Science Techbook were more likely to score at the “exemplary” performance level by exceeding grade-level standards than students in classrooms not using Science Techbook.
- 21 percent of students using the digital textbook scored at or above the exemplary level on the Science PASS, compared to 15 percent of students who were not using the digital textbook.
The Science Techbook series is a digital solution that replaces traditional textbooks and features video; interactive text; digital simulations and explorations; virtual and hands-on labs; and an interactive glossary with animations, audio and video. The series is available for K-8 science and high school courses including biology, chemistry, earth and space science and physics. Discovery Education provides each educator using the Techbook customized, job-embedded professional development.
About the Author
Christopher Piehler is the former editor-in-chief of THE Journal.