In order to learn theory, it is almost always essential that one read. A lot. This is the next big problem for a lot of students today. I once let a textbook representative in my office during a moment of weakness, and after she started her sales pitch into an exciting new, video-based text by saying, "Let's be real - today's students just don't read," I politely showed her the door. I know there are professors who have abandoned reading assignments or textbooks because such a high percentage of students have demonstrated that they simply are not going to read, but I have preferred to look for innovations that take a new approach to teaching students why reading is essential.

It is essential as it dynamically pushes forward these brain skills, that are interwoven, so they reinforce each other: visual thinking, building scenarios (forecasting), analytical thinking, focus and empathy... and it also teaches people how to write :)