This is interesting as we've been having these same discussions in my classroom; about the ways that a digital text can "help" you to understand a topic deeper as the comprehension aids (such as links to further information) are embedded right in the text.
I showed this in my classroom. The kids loved it. Mind you, we're geeks too.
Brilliant demonstration of how the curriculum is the disability for so many kids! Can't change the size of the text or graphics, can't double click words for definitions, can't save for review later, have to manually turn the pages (kids with physical disabilities are unable to do that).
And the students here are obviously NOT engaged with the material. Let's offer Universal Design for Learning - multiple methods of engagement, representation and expression.
So, why are we still using textbooks?
Yes, but with a book you can much more easily curl up on a comfy couch and imagine meeting Frederick Douglass for real for real. Much more fun and rewarding me thinks then clicking on an image of him and watching some poorly paid History Channel actors imagine it for you.
Not sure where I am going with this...
I love this. I am conducting a workshop on Saturday with 30 soon-to-be teachers from the local community college. I will be (hopefully) helping them to understand how students think and learn differently and so they must think and teach differently. I would love to use this video as an example. It would be great fun and make the point perfectly. May I have your permission to do so?
Chris, I loved this and plan to share it with my students. I particularly love that Joe never cracks a smile and takes the whole thing very seriously the whole time. Very funny, but beyond that, very interesting and thought-provoking.
Great example of what's wrong with textbooks, and that they spontaneously came up with this is even better. I'll be sharing this with my college class and colleagues. Thanks!