Why are so many people NOT reading their textbooks?

Question

Again and again I see questions asked that people could do themselves if they read their textbooks or other references or learnt to use google or wikipedia.

Why do people have such an aversion to reading books?

I dont mind helping when people explain why they havnt had time to read the book like they have a MAJOR personal problem or been ILL or have to work PART TIME to support themselves but there are way too many people posting here who seem to think they should just get their homework answers given to them cos they promise to give other people points!

Yahoo Answers shouldnt be a popularity competition!

I've seen people getting points for agreeing with the questioner rather than answering the question!

Thats so NOT right!

I want to see more TOP contributors encourage posters to

a) read books and use libraries

b) learn to use goolgle and wikipedia

c) give posters search parameters rather than full answers so they have to learn how to do their home work

Answer 1

You bring up a number of good points.

1. From my experience teaching and tutoring, people respond best to a combination of written and spoken word, interacting personally, in order to absorb and process written material with meaning and context. The advantage with Yahoo is that people can ask and interact with a real person, but also get links or references to resources. So they can get both the personal connection and direction, and also get written information. I think this is what people want. Without the right context, any text can become meaningless or daunting. I find more and more students seeking one-on-one instruction, or at least someone to "check" with that they are on the right track. Or else they just feel stuck in uncertainty. There is nothing that quite replaces the need for human interaction, similar to how kids like to have books read to them.

2. I think greater access to multimedia resources can be both an advantage in learning, but also a detriment if it gets too distracting. Conveying ideas can be accelerated by processing information visually, verbally and audially at the same time, but taken to extremes -- especially with sensitive students who absorb too much stimulation, thoughts or ideas as "noise" -- it can interfere with concentration.

Unfortunately the unlimited access to information can also be overwhelming, so that students are left wanting a plain straightforward explanation, and guidance to narrow down and focus their attention. This is similar to asking the librarian at the help desk instead of wandering lost in the library. Many students don't seem to know where to start.

3. I believe that well-written answers can both satisfy the asker and also provide information in a way that helps the person walk through the process so they learn by the interaction in itself.

I find the effort it takes to transfer information posted here to the actual project still requires the asker to do the work and to process and understand it.

For questions where the problem is clearly related to search skills, yes, I will post how I got the answer by using which key words, etc.

In general, however, I am usually less concerned with the search process, and more concerned that students connect with the actual material and concepts in the assignment. If they can appreciate the content and enjoy the lesson, I think the other factors will work themselves out in the process.

P.S. What irks me more is when people post a question, get their answers, and then delete without choosing a best answer. The people who took the time to answer get no credit for their help, and no one else can benefit from the effort put in either, by being able to search for or reference the question and answers later. I think if people want to post anonymously, they should use a different account, and leave their questions and answers posted after they are done.

Answer 2

I'm sorry to say this but I agree with you. I love to answer questions for people as long as I think they are benefiting from it. I quickly made level three because of this enthusiasm. However, I won't answer a question that is obvious or deliberately ignorant. For that reason i don't answer many homework questions. It is just as easy to type a short phrase into GOOGLE than to write out a long explanation into this site.

Can I b*tch, too? Another annoying thing is the minority that logs in here just to be a jerk or insulting to strangers. I've got some annoying chinese moron who keeps writing me about how bad America is and telling me I'm not a Christian, as if he'd know from over there.

One more? People who cut and paste 2,000 word answers for homework questions hoping to kiss up for the 10 points. People, the link is good enough, ahh-ight?

Thanks.

Answer 3

BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN CONDITIONED TO RELY ON THE MACHINE INSTEAD OF YOURSELF.
For the sake Convenience, It's easier to just ask google, than to take the time and effort to look up the data for yourself.
Corporations, industries, economies all depend on advancements in technology for their very survival.
Technology has always cause the reduction in self reliance.
I mean have you seen any horse drawn stagecoaches lately?
Can anyone working at McDonald's really make change if the power went out? I CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The biggest cause of this problem is:
The NEA (National Education Association) it has destroyed the america's school system for sake of their left wing fascist
pro feminist anti christian policy.
That's the real truth.

Answer 4

I think there are two reasons or a combination of the two.

1 Pure laziness. Why do the required research if someone else will do it for them? Why try to solve math problems if they can get someone else to do it for them?

2. Inability to read. Many can't write as is demonstrated with the language in questions. If they can't write perhaps they have trouble reading and comprehending what they have read.
.

Answer 5

I do it within the topics that curiosity me, however no longer those that do not. My Geometry textbook lies unread within the nook of my room, however I truthfully went out and taken a moment textbook on World History so as to add to the only i already had for my magnificence. I consider it is flawlessly usual. you rock lol. :)

Answer 6

I agree with you, but then again, just like people who come here looking for medical or legal advice, they're going to be the ones suffering in the end because people here may not be the experts they pretend to be.

I hope their teachers are asking to see references when they turn in their assignments.

Answer 7

people are lazy so they don't read their hw.
they won't learn as much if they don't read.
and wikipedia is a bad site
people can change anything on it

Answer 8

How is this a question?---you seem to be abusing the system as much as them..

Answer 9

I WANNA SAY SOMETHING BUT I KNOW IT WILL GET ME REPORTED SO LET ME NOT COMMENT...........
NEVER MIND, SHUT DA F**K UP!!!