Why Consider the FSHN 120 Print Guidebook to Further Engage with the Material?

Learning does not look the same for everyone. Some students learn best by reading on a screen, others benefit from writing by hand, and many find that using multiple approaches together helps information stick. The optional print workbook is designed to provide another way to interact with course content… particularly for students who prefer to annotate, sketch, highlight, organize ideas, or physically work through concepts as they learn.

This approach reflects the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which recognize that students benefit when they have multiple means of engagement and multiple ways to interact with information. Rather than assuming there is one “best” way to learn, the course provides choices. The print workbook complements our digital course materials by giving you a physical space to take notes, complete activities, make connections between concepts, and create a personalized record of your learning. You might watch a course video on your laptop while taking notes in the workbook, reference the eBook while completing a worksheet, or return to your handwritten notes when preparing for an assessment.

There may also be benefits to moving between different learning environments and modalities. College students spend a tremendous amount of time on screens. A print workbook gives you the option to step away from the computer while still actively engaging with the course. You can take it to class, a study space, the library, outside, or wherever you learn best. You are not tied to a particular device, browser window, or internet connection. For some learners, simply changing where and how they interact with information can help sustain attention and make studying feel more active.

Writing and annotating by hand can also encourage you to slow down and process information rather than simply move through it. The goal is not to copy everything you see. Instead, use the workbook to identify important ideas, translate concepts into your own words, draw connections, ask questions, and capture those “Ohhh…now I get it!” moments. Your workbook can become a semester-long learning tool that reflects your thinking rather than simply another set of course materials.

Importantly, purchasing the print workbook is not formally required in order to be successful in FSHN 120. We recognize that students have different learning preferences, accessibility needs, financial considerations, and approaches to studying. The print version is offered as an additional option because providing multiple pathways for learning and engagement is an important part of an inclusive course design.

If you know that you learn well by writing, highlighting, physically organizing information, moving between study locations, or combining digital learning with paper-based notes, we encourage you to consider the print workbook. Think of it less as another textbook you have to carry around and more as your personal workspace for the course… a place to engage, experiment, reflect, and make the learning your own.