A look into how first year chemistry students at the University of Botswana use their prescribed textbook

Abstract

Studying how students use textbooks is critical in understanding how students learn. This paper reports on a study conducted to get a review of an in-house printed textbook from first years Chemistry students in the University of Botswana and to learn how students use the textbook. Despite an overwhelming majority of students owning the prescribed textbook, only 45% regularly read the textbook. Approximately 48% of the students read both before and after the lecture and an equal number read after the lecture. Only a small fraction of the students surveyed found the textbook challenging in terms its overall scientific level recommended some change to the textbook.