Problem

A common problem faced by educators in general and those in the South Pacific in particular, is getting students to read their set readings. This challenge is compounded when dealing with students who come from a communal culture that values collaboration over independent work such as those in the University of the South Pacific. We were told by the lecturer of a policing course that policemen are action-oriented individuals who may not enjoy reading, so how could we get them to engage with the reading material?

We needed to find a way to encourage these students to read and engage with the course content.

Learn more about our approach here.

Solution

After researching various options, we decided to introduce Perusall, a collaborative reading and annotation tool, into the course. With Perusall, students could read collaboratively and annotate the text together. This approach aligned well with the communal culture of students and policemen from the Pacific islands and allowed them to engage with the material in a way that felt natural.

Students also gained marks on their annotations and reading efforts as assessed by AI. Perusall also provided additional support through regular check-ins and reminders about upcoming readings. By providing collaboration, structure and accountability, we were able to help students stay on track and complete their readings on time.

Impact

Increased engagement with course materials by X%
Improved participation in tutorials and assessments by X%

"This approach completely changed how I approached reading for this course. I felt more connected to my peers and was able to engage with the material in a way that felt natural and enjoyable."

Team

Team Member #1 - Lecturer
- Researched and recommended Perusall as a solution
- Provided additional support through regular check-ins and reminders
Team Member #2 - Instructional Designer
- Implemented Perusall into the course curriculum
- Created instructional materials to help students use Perusall effectively

Boosting Police Officers' Engagement with Course Readings