New Data: AI Study Tools Turn Passive Reading Into Active Learning for College Students
Pearson analyzed nearly 80 million global interactions from close to 400,000 higher education students in the semester starting January 2025. The signal is hard to ignore: when AI study tools live inside the materials students already use, passive reading shifts to active learning behaviors linked to better outcomes.
The takeaway for educators is practical. Put AI in the flow of study, not on the side. Guide how it's used. Then measure what changes.
Key findings at a glance
- In standalone Pearson eTextbooks, a single AI study tool interaction made a student 3x more likely to be classified as an active reader; repeat use raised that to 3.5x.
- In instructor-led digital courseware with embedded eTextbooks, one use increased the likelihood of active reading by 23x; repeat users were 24x more likely.
As shared in the study, "AI designed responsibly and grounded in learning science strengthens how students engage with digital materials." The research suggests AI can act as a multiplier-moving students from passive consumption to deeper cognitive engagement essential for college and career success.
What is active reading?
Active reading is a set of strategies that improve comprehension and retention: highlighting, taking notes, asking clarification questions, and practicing retrieval. These behaviors correlate with higher academic performance and stronger long-term memory.
The stakes are rising. Only 39% of ACT test-takers in 2025 met college-level reading benchmarks, and nearly half of professors say first-year students are "much less prepared" for close reading and analysis compared to pre-pandemic cohorts.
Responsible AI, used the right way
"Active reading remains one of the most powerful mechanisms we have for building durable knowledge and skills," said Dr. Emily Lai, Head of Research at Pearson. "Cognitive offloading and students' overreliance on AI are real concerns. That's why how we design AI tools to work matters-integrated responsibly into the flow of learning, AI can promote learning rather than replace it."
Pearson's approach pairs generative AI with learning science and expert vetting to support outcomes, not shortcuts. With more than 80% of its products now digital or digitally enabled, the focus is on tools that guide students to engage, recall, and apply-core elements of active reading.
Academic integrity and cognitive depth
In a separate Fall 2025 analysis of an introductory biology eTextbook, 97% of students used the AI study tool responsibly, with only 3% attempting to paste homework questions-addressing common integrity concerns. One in three student queries using the tool's question feature went beyond remembering and understanding, aligning with higher-order levels in the revised Bloom's Taxonomy.
If you want a quick refresher on those cognitive levels-from apply and analyze to evaluate-this overview helps frame the shift you're looking for in student work: Bloom's Taxonomy (Vanderbilt University).
How instructors can put this to work now
- Embed the tool where students study. Adoption jumps when AI sits inside courseware and eTexts, not in a separate tab.
- Prompt for retrieval, not summaries. Require students to generate five key questions per section, then answer from memory before checking the text.
- Standardize "responsible use." Make it explicit: no pasting graded items; use AI for clarifying, quizzing, and organizing notes.
- Assign micro-tasks. Examples: define three concepts in your own words, compare two models, or predict an outcome-then verify with the reading.
- Leverage analytics. Flag low-interaction readers and nudge them with targeted prompts or low-stakes checks tied to their notes and highlights.
- Model the workflow. Demo: question → attempt from memory → text check → refine notes. Keep the loop tight and visible.
- Start small. Pilot one chapter, measure active-reading behaviors, and iterate your prompts and guardrails.
Quotes from the research
"After two years of studying how students actually learn with AI, the signal is clear that AI designed responsibly and grounded in learning science strengthens how students engage with digital materials. This research shows AI can be a true learning multiplier-providing instructors with tools that help move students from passive consumption to active reading and deeper cognitive engagement, essential for college and career success." - Tom ap Simon, President of Higher Education at Pearson
"When AI is responsibly integrated into the flow of learning, it can promote learning, rather than replace it." - Dr. Emily Lai, Head of Research at Pearson
For educators building their AI practice
Want practical frameworks, prompts, and classroom workflows? Explore AI for Education and the step-by-step AI Learning Path for Teachers to accelerate implementation with guardrails that support active reading.
About Pearson
Pearson is a global learning company serving learners and institutions in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. Its generative AI applications are backed by learning science and expert review, with a stated commitment to responsible use that supports better outcomes for educators, students, and employers.
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