"No Books, No Problem: Teaching Without a Text"

     I agree with Ruth's opinion that students learn more without a textbook. Having been assigned many readings from textbooks, the first couple of paragraphs make sense and then it all becomes a blur after that. The information isn't retained as well compared to when the teacher can help the students make connections to the information. Although, I do think some textbooks come in handy for certain subjects. For example, I was required to buy "The Brief Penguin Handbook" for my first college english class. Since then I have used the book for almost every class for things like citing sources and formatting. I agree with Ruth that the process of ditching the textbook should be a gradual one otherwise it could put a lot of stress on the teacher and possibly backfire.
     The previous article linked me to Ansary's "A Textbook Example of What's Wrong with Education." If anyone should know what is wrong with textbooks it would be her since she was involved in creating them. I agree with her opinion that the textbook is very crucial for most teachers. I think some teachers see their textbook as a security blanket and couldn't fathom the idea of teaching without one, but if they were given more information on teaching without them they could possibly consider it. Ansary points out the fact that most textbook publishers are using the same strategies. This is why most are boring. It's the same thing over and over again. Textbooks may help the student more if the publishers were more creative and put themselves in the position of a student. This is why some teachers are getting rid of boring textbooks and using their own creativity to teach. Teachers should not focus on how everyone else is teaching but what works best for their students, right?

Kelsey Atkinson