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Read the passage given below.
I. Despite plenty of nay-sayers, the textbook is dead. It just doesnt know it yet and continues on walking about as though alive. I even have one, A TextBook of Physics, on my bookshelf beside me that was printed in 1891. It has some line drawings and no colour. Today, textbooks have lots of colourful images and engaging questions sprinkled about them. They also have tons of advice for teachers on how to use them effectively.

II. The word textbook originated in the \( 1720 \mathrm{~s} \), almost 300 years ago. Its had a good run and is ready to retire. Those who argue that you cannot learn well without a textbook ignore the centuries prior to 1720 when lots of people learned and learned well with no textbooks anywhere. You can learn without textbooks. Thats certain. But why should we bother to change something thats worked for 300 years? Many deliver the verdict in a single word: technology. Thats way too simplistic.

III. Weve seen film loops, overhead projectors, motion picture projectors, machine scoring of tests and a myriad of other technological innovations in classrooms, but the textbook remains. No, technology alone will not end the reign of the textbook. It takes something more, and that became available in the \( 1940 \mathrm{~s} \) - the programmable electronic computer. But here we are, 70 years later, with plenty of textbooks visible. The computer was not sufficient by itself.

IV. The next big change began with ARPANET in the 1960s. This foundation led to the Internet, and its growth has been phenomenal. But a widespread communication medium alone is not sufficient to dislocate textbooks either. Inexpensive computers, easy-to-use interfaces (GUIs) and ready access to the Internet all contribute.
V. Fine, say many. But the textbook publishers are putting their books online. They are creating e-textbooks. So, textbooks live!

VI. This argument misses the essential difference between education technology in the earlier times and education technology in the present, other than mere cost. Computer software can be interactive. Previous education technology was, like textbooks, rather passive. Active learning is far superior to passive learning, so much so that its not a step, not a leap, but a rocket-propelled launch past old-fashioned learning.
VII. Its the mental engagement with something that determines whether you learn and how well. The really big change will come when students can jump into online situations that are more like real life, and are able to use a variety of devices to reach the web and become part of the learning community. They will be guided by a combination of human mentors and machines.

Furthermore, diagnostic analysis of their work will tell mentors when students are ready for certain learning and, more importantly, when theyre not.
VIII. Textbooks do not tap into our brains to realise this learning potential. Hence, today, the textbook is a zombie. Its just waiting for that wooden stake or silver bullet to put it to a well- deserved rest.
-Harry Keller, July 22, 2013
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