Skyepack Digital Textbooks Promote Active Learning at Texas A&M University
College Station, TX (PRWEB) May 01, 2018 -- Technology has changed the way Americans work, live and learn. Texas A&M University is incorporating the use of digital textbooks in the classroom as a way improve the student experience as well as encourage more physical activity.
The Physical Education Activity Program (PEAP) digital course materials are created and designed by Skyepack, an Indiana-based company, with an office in College Station, that provides custom digital course content to perfectly match an educator’s learning objectives, student demographics and unique teaching styles.
“Skyepack gives professors an opportunity to truly customize their course content and easily update it as necessary,” said Skyepack CEO, Brady Kalb. “Not only does this provide a convenience to the professors but also a significant cost-savings to the students.”
Texas A&M Assistant Professor, Chad Nelson, was one of the first to utilize the format in his Physical Education course in the Fall of 2016. He has noticed an increase in engagement and preparedness from the students and says the digital coursebooks give him the tools he needs as an instructor to be better prepared as well.
“I love being able adjust my course materials as the semester is in progress. If I have the chance to make the class materials more efficient for my students, then I am doing my part as the professor,” said Nelson. “In my experience, I have noticed some text be outdated or not relevant to the course, but Skyepack has honestly kept the information current and relevant.”
Austin Bates, Director of Operations & Instructional Design for Skyepack, is based in College Station and works closely with the University. He notes, while some feel the overuse of technology leads to a sedentary lifestyle, the implementation of digital materials in the PEAP department has actually opened the doors for more physical activity.
“Professors are able to use video instruction for students, which helps them familiarize themselves with skills and rules of the sport outside of the classroom. In turn, this frees up course time for active participation in the sport,” said Kalb.
Students who have participated in these courses at Texas A&M which use the digital course content, report benefits outside the classroom as well:
- 88% agree that participating in a PE course helped them stay active through the semester
- 88% agree that Physical activity helped them reduce stress during the semester
- 72% agree that their health and wellness improved through their physical activity
- 69% agree that staying physically active during the semester helped them perform better in other courses.
The university started implementing the new course format in the Fall of 2016 with two PEAP classes. There are now 13 classes in the Health & Kinesiology department following suit with more to come in the Fall of 2018.
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Skyepack is a higher-education content curation and delivery Platform-as-a-Service company. We provide a technology platform that professors and students agree is more engaging, helpful, and convenient than others they have used. The Skyepack platform and our supportive services assist faculty with the transition from expensive traditional textbooks to more fairly-priced materials. Visit online: http://www.Skyepack.com
The College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University was established in 1969 and is the largest producer in the state of teachers in the high-need fields of bilingual education, math and science. The college offers more than 19 degree programs that fit the needs of our diverse student population. Consistent with the land grant mission of our university, the teaching, research and service activities of the college transform the lives of individuals in our state across the nation. Our faculty, staff and students reflect the diversity and complexity of Texas to better serve the needs of our ever-changing local, state, national and global community. Visit online: http://education.tamu.edu/
Angie Barnes, Skyepack, http://skyepack.com/, +1 (317) 490-3438, [email protected]
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