Using an online statistics textbook for learning: student perspectives

Peter K. Dunn; Margaret F. Marshman; Michael B. Farrar; Elizabeth A. Brunton

doi:10.1080/0020739X.2026.2641485

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Using an online statistics textbook for learning: student perspectives

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Using an online statistics textbook for learning: student perspectives

Peter K. Dunn, Margaret F. Marshman, Michael B. Farrar and Elizabeth A. Brunton

International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, Vol.Advanced access

18-Mar-2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2026.2641485

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Abstract

online learning

first-year course

large courses

Online textbooks are increasingly used in higher education, but little is known about how students use and perceive online textbooks. This study investigated students' usage and opinions of learning with an online statistics textbook, using surveys and focus groups. We found that students valued and regularly used the online textbook, and most students preferred the online textbook over the hardcopy textbook. Students especially valued the search functionality and interactive learning elements. The results showed that only 6.6% of students would prefer not to use an online text in the future, and that a carefully designed online textbook that intentionally incorporates five specific features (Feedback; Interactivity; Variety; Exploration and Segmentation: FIVES) is a practical and economical alternative to using hardcopy textbooks in first-year statistics. Making notes, such as highlighting text, on the online textbook remains the biggest challenge identified by students, though solutions already exist that could be recommended more prominently to students.

Details

Title: Using an online statistics textbook for learning: student perspectives
Authors: Peter K. Dunn (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Margaret F. Marshman - University of the Sunshine Coast
Michael B. Farrar - Griffith University
Elizabeth A. Brunton - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
DOI: 10.1080/0020739X.2026.2641485
ISSN: 1464-5211
Copyright note: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
Data Availability: Data are not available due to ethics requirements.
Organisation Unit: K'gari Research Cluster; School of Education and Tertiary Access; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991219628002621
Output Type: Journal article

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