Technology has long been employed to improve teaching and learning, although not always so efficiently and cleverly as one might wish. Advances in the teaching paradigm have sometimes reinforced outmoded, obsolete, and simply incorrect practices and prevailing understanding of the organization of knowledge. Today, technology presents education in…

Reviews eight current human sexuality textbooks for both their general organization and substantive content. Addresses specifically the content areas of sexual response cycle; sexual disfunction; acquaintance rape; AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases; extramarital sex; abortion; homosexuality; and pornography. Identifies as a recurring fault…

Discusses a survey of history and economics textbooks and their treatment of the concept of free enterprise. The survey found that the textbooks were not adequate in the area of history, theory, foundation, and manner in which free enterprise is practiced. (JOW)

The Educational Products Information Exchange Institute (EPIE) produces independently researched information on instructional material. The author believes textbook evaluation must be viewed in terms of the learner. The school, as a human system, may move toward effective expressive, productive interactions with internal and external environments…

Reports on a survey of twenty-one 1987 introductory psychology textbooks which revealed an unusually high error rate for homunculus illustrations, those drawings in which body parts are depicted in proportion to brain areas that control them. Traces the source of these errors to homunculus drawings made by Mrs. H. P. Cantlie in the Penfield and…

Presents a point-counterpoint discussion focusing on four issues involved in the positive and negative values of using textbooks: (1) encyclopedic or comprehensive; (2) third-hand sources or efficient compilations; (3) expensive or cost effective; and (4) authors, known and unknown. Suggests that textbook adoption decisions should be based on the…

Although textbooks summarize large quantities of data and have some advantages, they may discourage conceptual thinking, critical analysis, and evaluation. Comprehendability and its elements (coherence, sequence, match, transition, and self-monitoring) should be major criteria for textbook adoption. (SK)

Responding to "Observations on the Use of Textbooks in the Teaching of Principles of Economics," Dolan agrees with Boskin's appraisal of textbooks. Explains why texts share common faults and proposes possible means of alleviating them. Examines five constraints on textbook writers, stating that by changing them, authors can change their…

Responding to Stiglitz's article "On the Market for Principles of Economics Textbooks: Innovation and Product Differentiation," Schiller disputes the claim that there is growing dissatisfaction with textbooks, stating that the central issue in the debate is "how best to teach economic principles." Discusses the importance of…

Expresses concern about the scientific accuracy of 2 series of books intended for years 7-8 working toward Key Stage 3. Discusses three examples that relate to the liquid state, solutions, and genes and chromosomes. Includes the criteria upon which the appraisal is based. (Author/JRH)

Finds that teaching textbooks are becoming more complex and difficult, and less interesting. A procedure is suggested for measuring these qualities in a textbook, based on the "Reading Ease" and "Human Interest" indices of R. Flesh, in Volume 6 of his work "The Good Companion". Two samples from texts are appended. (IFS/WGA)

Presents guidelines for use in examining the comprehensibility of a textbook, questions to ask about the book, and suggestions for using the guide questions. (FL)

Discusses the "static, insular" view of composition that is found in many composition textbooks. Notes how students might misconstrue arbitrary prescriptions in writing textbooks as rigid rules. Laments that textbook structures deemphasize the composing process. (RL)

Reviews the early nineteenth-century American arithmetic textbook, "The Columbian Arithmetician." Examines the book for the societal importance of arithmetic, the audience to which the textbook was directed, the methods of learning mathematics, and samples of mathematical applications in the problems. (MDH)

Describes the widespread use of textbooks by language arts teachers. Explains the extreme prevalence and reliance upon textbooks, despite frequent complaints about textbook quality. Considers ways of revising textbooks and how they can be used to benefit teachers and students alike. (HB)