Over integration of AI and new vocab features
I have been using Pearson+ for quite some time, and one of my favorite features was the ability to tap a highlighted vocabulary word and instantly see its definition in a simple white popup. It was fast, unobtrusive, and allowed me to continue reading without losing my place or breaking my concentration.
Unfortunately, that feature has now been replaced with the AI Study Tool panel. Instead of a quick glossary definition, every vocabulary lookup now opens the AI sidebar. While AI can be helpful in some situations, it is unnecessary for something as simple as defining a vocabulary term. This change interrupts the reading experience, takes up more screen space, and makes studying less efficient.
It feels like Pearson is trying to incorporate AI into every aspect of the textbook, even when it makes the user experience worse. Not every feature needs AI, and not every student wants AI involved in their learning. Sometimes a simple, well-designed tool is the better solution.
The biggest issue is the lack of user choice. Students learn in different ways, and we should be able to customize our learning experience. If someone prefers the AI Study Tool, that’s great. But those of us who preferred the original glossary popup should have the option to use it instead. Giving users the ability to choose between the classic glossary popup and the AI panel would make the app far more flexible and student-friendly.
Technology should enhance learning, not force every interaction through AI. Pearson should focus on providing options rather than replacing proven features with AI simply because it’s the latest trend. Please bring back the original glossary popup or at least add a setting that allows users to choose the experience that works best for them.
Unfortunately, that feature has now been replaced with the AI Study Tool panel. Instead of a quick glossary definition, every vocabulary lookup now opens the AI sidebar. While AI can be helpful in some situations, it is unnecessary for something as simple as defining a vocabulary term. This change interrupts the reading experience, takes up more screen space, and makes studying less efficient.
It feels like Pearson is trying to incorporate AI into every aspect of the textbook, even when it makes the user experience worse. Not every feature needs AI, and not every student wants AI involved in their learning. Sometimes a simple, well-designed tool is the better solution.
The biggest issue is the lack of user choice. Students learn in different ways, and we should be able to customize our learning experience. If someone prefers the AI Study Tool, that’s great. But those of us who preferred the original glossary popup should have the option to use it instead. Giving users the ability to choose between the classic glossary popup and the AI panel would make the app far more flexible and student-friendly.
Technology should enhance learning, not force every interaction through AI. Pearson should focus on providing options rather than replacing proven features with AI simply because it’s the latest trend. Please bring back the original glossary popup or at least add a setting that allows users to choose the experience that works best for them.
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Almost Perfect!
This app is great. The additional material & interfaces really help me better understand and retain the information in the book which is vast & can be complicated. It’s nice that I can quickly review using flash cards or quizzes on my phone if I have some downtime. That’s super helpful for retention. The only drawback I would say is the online version logs me out after a short period and there are so many clicks to get back in & onto where I left off that it’s off-putting. The other thing is I wished some of the material on the app was available in offline mode.
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Nutrition
The audiobook never works
Loving it
I like that I can do practice exams on the go.Its such a great way to study
Major accessibility and usability issues on iOS
Pros of this app:
- search function
- study videos and additional materials
- ability to change font sizes
Cons:
- dark mode hides CRUCIAL information (like formulas) which is a major accessibility issue
- no way to take margin notes
- highlighting doesn’t work on symbols (and symbols are hugely important in science textbooks)
- no way to bookmark images
- “feedback” option is a black hole and the native iOS browser is not supported so contacting support from within the app is impossible
- highlighting constantly flips the page instead of selecting text
This is such a frustrating app to use and it’s really disappointing considering eTextbooks are basically a requirement in order to keep up with education these days.
- search function
- study videos and additional materials
- ability to change font sizes
Cons:
- dark mode hides CRUCIAL information (like formulas) which is a major accessibility issue
- no way to take margin notes
- highlighting doesn’t work on symbols (and symbols are hugely important in science textbooks)
- no way to bookmark images
- “feedback” option is a black hole and the native iOS browser is not supported so contacting support from within the app is impossible
- highlighting constantly flips the page instead of selecting text
This is such a frustrating app to use and it’s really disappointing considering eTextbooks are basically a requirement in order to keep up with education these days.
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