The Effects of Hypertext

After reading chapter 17, "Pedagogy and Hypertext" by Stephanie B. Gibson, I realize how little understanding of hypertext I had. To me hypertext was just links and internet buttons which lead you to another page or to more information. I failed to fully grasp the effects and consequences of hypertext, especially in education. In the article I found it very interesting how Gibson discusses the implications hypertext has on education. From reorganizing the way education works in a classroom with respect to teachers and students and how the authority works. Hypertext takes away the authority of teachers and their textbooks and shift to students and their own learning experience by using the information in programs. Even though this is only one example, the chapter covers numerous ways that hypertexts change the academic scope of material we use to learn.
If teachers introduce hypertext into their classroom it takes away from their control. Let's say a teacher uses a computer program which students use to help them learn. What is the teachers role now? It is simply a director, someone who guides the learning process instead of being an active member of giving the material to be learned. Students can wonder on these programs and gather information the teacher may not be ready to discuss yet or may not be necessary. If a student has a question about something they haven't gone over, that teacher must then be ready for everything which takes away from the organization and control of the class.