Death of the Textbook

When given the ability to be creative and unique, students will often rise above and beyond the task given to them. One of the most rewarding parts of my role at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is that I get to facilitate a teaching methods course, helping varying levels of instructors explore new and innovative methods of instruction. I am a big believer in modeling through my instruction how instructors can help their students become successful. Often, our instructors are asked to reflect on their weekly learning plan by answering several questions. When replying, we leave the reply format open - in that instructors can choose the vehicle in which they choose to respond (i.e. journal entry, power point, podcast, video reflection, etc.)

Giving your students the ability to choose their vehicle empowers them to be creative, unique, and problem solve all on their own. What follows is one of the best reflections I have ever read by one of NWTC's part-time instructors, Jenny Holtebeck. Jenny, and English Language Learners instructor, used her creativity to reply to the questions: what are the benefits of technology to help promote/maximize learning and what is one watch out about technology?

NEW YORK TIMES OBITUARY FOR THE TRADITIONAL TEXTBOOK, WRITTEN BY A REPORTER COVERING THE FUNERAL
By: Jenny Holtebeck

After more than 400 years of service to the educational community, the Traditional Textbook passed away recently due to disuse.  It is believed that the Textbook’s spouse, the Teacher Manual, has also gone to glory. 

Born in America in 1690 under the name The New England Primer, the Textbook has also been known to its loved ones by many other names:  The McGuffey Reader, Principles of Biology, Math Expressions, etc.  The Textbook was known for providing students with accurate information about a subject in a clear, concise format.  It was also passionate about being well organized, teaching generations of pupils how to use a table of contents, glossary, and index. 

The Textbook is survived by its children, various forms of educational technology.  These glamorous offspring have vowed to continue their parents’ goal of promoting and maximizing learning, they explained during their joint eulogy.  “It helps that there are so many of us,” explained one child, the Power Point Presentation.  “We can do so much more than our parents because we all have different purposes.  Like, I can present information like my parents did, but I like to do it in a more graphic way.  Charts, pictures, bullet points, ya know?  Some people really respond to that.” 

Power Point’s sibling, a Teacher Tube Video, put it another way.  “Those of us in the younger generation can appeal to more learning styles.  I address the needs of auditory and visual learners.  And my brother, the Math Manipulative, is very effective with somatic learners.” 

“I give people experience with the tools they will use in their jobs,” added Design Software.  “Some of my former students have kept in touch with me for years after graduation because they find me so useful.” 

His sister, the Government Database concluded by saying, “Our parents were great, but the information I have is always up-to-date.  We’ll miss our parents, but we really believe they would want us to continue their work.” 

Unfortunately, the funeral was interrupted at this point by a loss of wi-fi, which rendered Teacher Tube Video and Government Database unable to communicate with the mourners.  Shortly after, Power Point Presentation displayed the Blue Screen of Death, a medical condition it periodically suffers from.  The funeral officiant was unable to revive the Power Point Presentation, and had to resort to her back-up plan for the eulogy, which was to write the important points on a chalkboard.  The chalkboard was a surprise guest at the funeral, since it had not been seen for almost a decade and was presumed dead.  One can only reminisce about how the Traditional Textbook would have risen to the occasion.

Talk about owning a reflection and making it your own. Students, and instructors alike, want their work to shine. When given the ability to use their own skills and talents, they will give you something you never expected. Perhaps it's time to get out of their way and let them drive!