Examines secondary science textbooks for their interpretation of energy concepts. Discusses some of the confusion created by the use of the "forms of energy" approach. Advocates the use of "energy transfer" terminology. Critically examines examples of common text passages from British textbooks. (CW)

The article discusses three features of content area textbooks that make them relatively easy to read, understand, and learn from--structure, coherence, and audience appropriateness. For each feature, the article describes the research basis for the feature, outlines problems with existing textbooks, and presents suggestions for evaluating…

Recent thinking about the mathematics being used in science courses, with an emphasis on problem solving, is reviewed. Data from a survey of the mathematics content in secondary science textbooks are then presented, with suggestions for science instruction. (MNS)

Roosevelt is usually described as a liberal, but a number of recent books see him as essentially conservative. Suggests how these books can be used to study the New Deal era and the concepts of liberal and conservative. Comparative analysis could structure the teaching unit. (CS)

The 24 reviews in this article include textbooks on journalism and media studies; multimedia kits on advertising, TV news, reporting, and the "grammar" of media; resources on making ad interpreting films in the classroom; supplements on writing for both print and nonprint media; and professional references on improving visual literacy. (Editor)

Reviews 23 recent texts, supplements, and professional references for gifted and creative instruction at various grade levels, K-l2. Several of the titles concern education in the arts and the humanities. Appended is an index to other reviews of gifted materials which have appeared in this magazine. (SJL)

Analyzes seven college-level U.S. history survey texts to determine the deteriorating quality of college history textbooks. Focuses on three areas: (1) the simplification of style and content, (2) indications of implicit censorship, and (3) the lack of a thematic structure which would contribute to the students' understanding of history. (LS)

Investigates whether enriching text with analogies, similes, and metaphors has an impact on student cognitive learning and attitudes. Reports no gain on achievement, negative gain on attitude, no gain on proposition recall test, and negative gain on student attention to the text. (YP)

Examines some widely used introductory economics textbooks. Documents how much international coverage they contain. Seeks any emerging patterns of integration among the texts. Concludes that visible efforts are being made to enhance the coverage of international issues in texts. Suggests that many authors do not live up to claims that…

Presents findings of an examination of the representation of the sexes in an elementary level language textbook used in China. Indicates a lopsided emphasis on males and a tendency to portray women as subordinates. Identifies differences in personal characteristics ascribed to the sexes. Seeks to highlight the issue for the purpose of improving…

Analyzes the content of chapters on education in 22 introductory sociology textbooks. Argues that the texts focus on the northern industrialized nations to the exclusion of developing nations' educational issues. Suggests that textbook coverage of northern influence, cultural factors, alternative developing nations' educational models, inadequate…

Discusses an analysis of 10 common introductory psychology textbooks. Argues that the books tend to present psychology as tedious, even silly, and as a canned, multimedia, self-teaching program. Concludes that replacing textbooks with lectures based on the instructor's personal knowledge and experience would improve the teaching of psychology. (SG)

Emphasizes the need to present students with conceptual frameworks that will enable them to understand and deal with changes, continuities, uncertainties, and contingencies. Describes a textbook that approaches the future of U.S.-Soviet relations from a framework of four different possible futures. Discusses programs using the text in teaching…

Reports on a study of 38 social problems textbooks and their treatment of issues related to poverty. Points out that most of the books ignore poverty's historical background and the impact of the 1980s on poverty. Includes questions used for analyses and a list of the reviewed textbooks. (CFR)

Designed for teachers and arguing that democratic values are best taught in democratic classrooms, this hands-on guide offers clear directions for exploring values using children's literature as a starting point. Combining numerous classroom examples with practical advice, backed up by historical analysis and educational theory, the book: (1)…