Computer/Tech Time: An Analogy

I don't quite remember the first time I opened up a textbook or actually used one for class, but it had to be late elementary school.  Now that I'm older I would like to reflect on the textbook as a learning tool.

I was probably in 3rd grade and I remember the teacher in the classroom finishing up our math lesson and saying, very enthusiastically, "Now, boys and girls, we are going to go to the Library for Textbook Time."  The kids jumped in excitement to the point the teacher had to reprimand us for our voices being at a level that was unacceptable for elementary schools.  We marched in a single file line to the library and sat down at tables.  In front of each of us were these shiny, new, textbooks, filled with so much information.  We were so happy to be there, to learn, to unlock our potentials.  Now the amazing part.

We were taken through step by step how to use a textbook.  We learned how to explore the table of contents, how to flip pages appropriately, how to hold the text book, how to carry the textbook.  How to use the index, the glossary, we learned about bolded words!  We even learned how not to carry the textbook, how not to hold the textbook, how we should never flip too fast, fold, or bend the pages.  Never throw the textbook.  Oh and never ever chew gum whilst reading a textbook.  As the year went on our excitement stayed because it was different, it was new, and it was interesting.  Then the problem.

Some of us kids were curious, we wanted to read the textbook, search for information inside.  This book had like 1000 pages, and we were only focusing on the pages in the beginning and the back and barely even opening up the textbook.  A few of us kids got side tracked one day and peered inside to a wonderful chapter about the mammals of the world.  We could see colorful pictures and so many words that were begging to be read, and then my book slammed shut and I was pulled away from class by my teacher.  I was told I would have to stay in for recess and that Textbook Time was a privilege and I was abusing that privilege by not doing what I was told.  I was only trying to learn.  I was only curious.

The year passed and we moved on to 4th grade.  We were ready to apply our Textbook Time knowledge even further.  This year we still had Textbook Time and I was crossing my fingers that we would be able to explore further and read those wonderful words.  The year started out the same, but this time we were given new and different textbooks, we explored multiple types of textbooks and looked at the similarities and differences.  Then one day we were told to flip to page 376 (somewhere in the middle) and read the passage on that page, and then shut the textbook.  A small reward but that was all.  I was somewhat disappointed because I wanted more.  Don't get me wrong, I was still excited about Textbook Time, because it was still different, and new.

Let's jump ahead to High School.  Every student now had textbooks to carry around and teachers were assigning reading left and right!  We were all excited to finally get to use these things for what they were intended for.  One day my History Teacher told us to go home and read Chapter 4: The American Revolution pages 102-136.  I read those pages and was slightly bored (the writing was a little dry), but I saw a chapter on the Civil War, and remembered I recently watched a movie about the Civil War and I wanted to learn more, so I read that chapter too.  I got back to school the next day and told my History Teacher all about it expecting praise, extra credit, or a further discussion.  My hopes were too high, for I was reprimanded for exploring too much and was told it would distract my learning about the American Revolution.

Other kids started doing this, reading ahead, exploring.  Soon parents were being called, and textbooks were being taken away from students.  Our Board approved a new Textbook Policy that said "Textbooks are only to be used in class for educational purposes as seen fit by the individual teacher, any other use is punishable by revoking access to textbooks, detention, or suspension.  All Textbook use needs to be monitored by appropriate personnel."

Students were furious and annoyed.  We only wanted to explore.  We were curious.  But, we weren't even given the chance to voice our side of the issue, and show what could be done.  Some teachers allowed us to explore, these are the teachers I enjoyed being around, and to this day I know I learned so much more form the classes that allowed us to explore, to be curious, and be creative.  They opened up possibilities for us through the pages in those books.  They unlocked our true potential as not only learners but as human beings.