Joe's Non-Notebook

My professor posted a link to a video on YouTube. It’s called Joe’s Non-Notebook. A boy is reading a traditional book and trying to use the same tools he would use on the internet. Things like drag-and-drop, copy and paste, and clicking on highlighted words or pictures to get further information on the particular item. Now, Joe’s Non-Notebook is a funny piece, but I think it also brings out many truths. I think many kids or people in general rely on technology. Many would prefer to read something on the internet rather than to read it from a traditional book. Growing up, reading out of traditional books was the only option until the computer-age started to grow. Yet, the computer was a reward rather than a choice for education. The video of Joe’s Non-Notebook is what many student experience today. They enjoy the many luxuries of the computer and internet, and when it comes to traditional means they don’t know what to do. Moreover, they don’t want to do anything. When I was student teaching, I assigned a multitude of different activities. I did this to make sure that every kind of learner would get that kind of attention they needed. I found that when I assigned reading assignments in their text books, many of them would not read, but just stare into space or do other things to occupy their time. Some students enjoyed reading and did what was asked of them. So many students are spoiled by technological advances that when it comes to doing the work themselves, they simply don’t want any part of it. Consequently, to help with students who did not follow instructions and read the assigned readings in class, I played the “read-aloud” c.d. that came with the book. That would make it easier for the students to follow along, wouldn’t it? Well, in some cases it did and some it didn’t. Some of the students followed along with the reading in their books as it was read aloud. Others still would not pay attention and would quickly turn the page as they heard everyone turn theirs. With all of that being said, I think it is very important that there is a good mixture traditional means of education and those that involve technology. Therefore, students will possess both skills they need that are, in my opinion, equally important. Then maybe we can get rid of some those excuses, “my computer wasn’t working,” or “my internet was down,” when the encyclopedia was still intact on the bookshelf…dusty, but intact. Lol! I’m not saying get rid of technology because I think it is desperately needed, I don’t think it is good to solely rely on it. Some students rely on it too much and have been spoiled. When it come to doing traditional things…reading and writing…they don’t want to do it when the can basically copy and paste on the computer. Joe’s Non-Notebook is funny and a clever piece but what is the underlying message?