Transforming education: focused learning with reMarkable

Universities are the epicenters of knowledge and innovation, constantly evolving to enhance the learning experience. reMarkable offers a unique solution in this quest, embodying our founding vision of "Better paper. Better thinking." We are committed to creating an environment where deep thought and creativity can thrive, providing tools that cater to the diverse needs of administrators, faculty, academic researchers, and students within the academic ecosystem.

We are currently involved in several long-term pilot programs with top universities around the world to explore the impact of reMarkable in higher education. One such program provides reMarkable devices to an Executive MBA class at the Norwegian School of Economics, Norway’s leading business school. Although the pilot is still in progress, initial findings point to promising improvements in both student participation and overall satisfaction.

The digital dilemma in higher education

In today's educational landscape, the convergence of digital tools with traditional paper methods presents a unique set of challenges. Here's how this affects different stakeholders:

The problem for Administrators:

• Paper persistence: Despite the digital revolution, universities are still anchored to paper, with it making up 25% of campus waste according to 2024 research on sustainable waste management in academic institutions.
• Distracted learning: The digital age has brought connectivity but at the cost of focus, creating a learning environment where both students and educators are in a constant tug-of-war for attention.
• Innovation gap: Relying on physical textbooks and notebooks feels like a step back in time, lacking the innovation that modern education demands.

For teaching staff:

• Distraction overload: The classroom has turned into a battleground with traditional digital devices like PCs and tablets, where distractions are plentiful, complicating teaching and diminishing educational quality. A 2020 study showed 83% of students admitting their focus is hijacked by device use, proving that managing attention becomes a core part of teaching in the modern environment.
• Inefficient use of time: Addressing digital distractions can consume significant portions of class time, with one study finding that digital distraction during lectures negatively impacts both the quality and quantity of students' notes, thereby reducing effective teaching time. 2020 research on undergraduate students at Ohio university showed that digital distractions "negate many of the benefits afforded to students who take notes on their laptops".

For academic researchers:

• Research disruption: The research process can be significantly slowed by digital distractions, as constant alerts and multitasking reduce the ability to maintain deep focus, leading to less efficient scholarly work.
• The paper problem: Researchers will often have to annotate on paper then subsequently waste time and energy either digitize those notes or switching context with their digital tools.

For students:

• Digital distraction; The average student takes 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction, according to research from UC Irvine, which directly impacts study efficiency and retention.
• Inadequate digital tools: Students face a dilemma with outdated paper textbooks and distracting digital devices, leading to poor writing, eye strain, and reduced focus. While digital tools offer organization, interactivity, and sustainability, they distract from the creativity and focus that paper provides, creating a disjointed learning experience.

reMarkable: bridging the gap for focused academic excellence

reMarkable's paper tablet harmonizes the tactile benefits of paper with the capabilities of digital technology, providing a distraction-free environment that promotes deeper learning and engagement:

For administrators — streamlined operations

• Sustainability and modernization: reMarkable's digital paper solution aids universities in digital transformation and sustainability by replacing traditional textbooks and notes with a paper tablet, reducing paper usage and costs.
• Scenario: Picture a campus where students carry only one reMarkable tablet instead of heavy textbooks. This not only supports eco-friendly initiatives but also simplifies administrative tasks, from inventory to distribution, freeing up resources for other educational priorities.

For teaching staff — enhanced engagement

• Distraction-free education: reMarkable offers a distraction-free platform where educators can deliver lectures with full student engagement. Without the typical digital interruptions, teaching becomes more effective, as students focus on learning rather than social media.
• Scenario: In a lecture hall, a professor shares their screen to explain a complex theory. Students use their reMarkable tablets to take notes and annotate course material, ensuring they're focused on the lesson rather than distracted by other apps.
• Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) example: In an ongoing pilot at NHH, faculty members have observed a marked increase in student participation when using reMarkable devices. Learners stay actively involved in lessons, taking notes and annotating materials in real time, resulting in deeper discussions and improved understanding.

For academic researchers — streamlined research workflow

• Efficient research process: With reMarkable's PDF annotation tools, researchers can engage with literature in a way that feels like paper, streamlining the research process by eliminating the need for separate paper notes.
• Scenario: Before presenting at a conference, a researcher reviews dozens of papers on their reMarkable. They highlight key points, make notes, and organize their thoughts directly on the device, making it easy to prepare without the hassle of switching between paper and digital formats.
• NHH example: A participating faculty member at NHH highlights the device’s flexible note structure as a key benefit, further streamlining their research workflow.

For students — focused and effective learning

• Enhanced learning experience: reMarkable's natural writing experience helps students retain information better and focus more deeply. Its e-ink screen is gentle on the eyes, and its design minimizes digital distractions, creating an optimal study environment. Professor Bjørnenak finds that sharing handwritten notes he's created on reMarkable with his students really enhances their engagement. He also believes that students benefit more from case study discussions when they use reMarkable, as it removes the distractions of laptops, making the experience much more positive.
• Scenario: A student is gearing up for finals, using reMarkable to go through lecture notes and textbooks. They annotate directly on their digital texts, crafting a personalized study guide. Without notifications popping up, they can immerse themselves in their studies, making their preparation time more productive.
• NHH example: Preliminary results show that 80% of the students believe “Using reMarkable reduces distractions during study sessions” and 70% believe that “compared to other devices I am using, I find it easier to maintain focus with reMarkable”.

By tackling these challenges, reMarkable not only reduces distractions, enhances efficiency, and supports environmental goals but also ushers in a new era of interactive and focused learning, perfectly suited to the demands of the digital age.

The next step: revolutionizing learning with reMarkable

reMarkable stands at the forefront of digital transformation in higher education, offering a tool that marries the best of digital convenience with the tactile benefits of traditional paper. By addressing the core issues of distraction, inefficiency, and environmental impact, reMarkable not only elevates the academic experience but also aligns with the modern educational ethos of sustainability, innovation, and focused learning.

Whether you're an administrator looking to streamline operations, a teacher aiming for deeper student engagement, a researcher in need of an efficient workflow, or a student striving for effective learning, reMarkable provides a platform where better thinking and higher quality work can flourish.

• For large scale purchasing: If your institution is ready to embrace this new era of learning, contact our sales team to discuss how reMarkable can be integrated into your university on a large scale.
• Explore Further: To see how reMarkable can transform your educational environment, explore our products and discover the features that are redefining academic excellence.