Student textbooks

"We don't need no education. We don't need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the classroom. Teachers, leave those kids alone. Hey, teachers, leave those kids alone!" Echoed Floyd, many years ago. Even today, these words ring true in the ears of students around the world.

Why blame them There are a million things about educational systems across that students find unmanageable. One good example, student textbooks. Arent they the type of books every student avoids like plague There sure must be a reason. Let's crack the nut and find a viable solution.

Let's understand the human psyche first. Shoving knowledge down a students throat is not such a great idea. It can be grossly repulsing. student textbooks are just that. No wonder, they fail to bring the desired results in most cases.

Most of them carry the same formats they adopted years back. They hold similar information; the text is laid out in the same old boring fashion. It is hardly pictorial and not at all involving. Moreover, the chances of the reader getting intimidated by the sheer tone used by these books are very high. Everything about a typical student textbooks is so overpowering, it is bound to not go down well with any student.

The point then being that why must a student textbook be like a typical textbook. Why must it be scary and tedious, thick and uninteresting Weve learnt the rules, now lets unlearn them. Lets break away form conventions and have these text books actually talk to their target audience. Talk in the language of the students; cater to their sensibilities and intellect. Whats the point of throwing words that they cant even relate to

The solution is just one. Change. Change the system. Change little things in textbooks for the greater good of the student community.

Let's understand that a 1000-page book will only bring the student down; it will only shake his confidence and pull him down even before he begins. Concerned authorities, are you listening Lets cut the matters short and give the learner a chance to delve on important points. After all, dont we all believe in the maxim, quantity never breeds quality

Also, it is important that the book talks to the students instead of teaching them. It will only build interest and help the student to memorize his lessons well. It is a known fact that human beings love telling and listening to stories. If every textbook tells a tale, irrespective of what the subject is, it sure will be a breakthrough in the field of education. It will change perspectives, it will change attitudes. It will warm students. How wonderful would it be to have a textbook that reads as interesting as a bestseller! Doesnt a person remember the story of Gone With The Wind without mugging each word up We rest our case.

Believe us, if this happens then textbooks will get the same respect as regular novels. Even when the course is over, they will sit shining on the walnut bookshelves of many students for future references. The students will not be far from lending these books to their friends, not because its in the curriculum but purely for its interest value. For the sheer joy of reading and learning.

Then there is another interesting idea. Make the textbooks more pictorial, much more pleasing to the eye. Hey! Hold on. We dont mean have more diagrams and graphs put. Even in subjects like English and History, why not have more pictures, more colors, and more life. Let the characters come alive. Let the students feel the pulse of what they see. Let them get into the thick of things. Empathize with Romeo. Understand Hitler. Bow down to Mother Teresa. Whether war scenes or blow ups, having a picture only refreshes a text heavy page. More than that, it involves the student. Let him forget that he is in the class, reading a mundane text book. Make it seem like a play; make it appear like a feature film. This will only increase the life of the chapters in the students mind and help him remember everything, without putting any pressure on his mind.

The result Maybe a couple of more toppers. In the long run, a better future for many, more successes. The list is endless.

Some may want to dismiss the suggestions above as wishful thinking but the fact is that nobody can overlook the possibility of the dramatic change it can bring about in the educational system. Textbooks form an integral part of a students life. If minor changes in it can help him be a sharper, more informed, knowledgeable and well turned out individual, then why not

With no risks involved, this prospect will only be fruitful for students around the world.

Practically speaking, radical changes in the approach of students can also take place. There will be fewer dropouts and the number of students doing well will increase. Its also possible that English will then not be the only favorite subject of boys and girls. This will also give the reader a perspective to understand their interest area and further on to pursue it.

Have faith. It is very much possible. A scenario where students buy their textbooks with as much interest as they buy the latest Harry Potter collection. Where no student will be seen mugging chapters up and burning the midnight oil. Shakespeares Comedy Of Errors will replace the bundle of comics. Self help formulas will take a backset, mathematical formulas will be in the forefront. And if we were to be very ambitious in our thinking, the Biology book will replace the Kamasutra. Interesting, isnt it

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