This article reviews the treatment of lichens in 93 different introductory North American botany textbooks. Topics considered are questions of relationship, independent survival, reproduction, definition, and scientific name. The author reports that treatment is uneven and often includes incomplete or erroneous information which may persist…

Discusses how rock-cycle diagrams can graphically illustrate the interrelationship between materials and processes in physical geology courses. Reviews nine contemporary physical geology textbooks with regard to their use of such diagrams. (TW)

Considers previous research and data regarding the relative frequencies of a wide variety of lexical items expressing doubt and certainty in written and spoken corpuses and uses the data to evaluate the adequacy of some well-known English as a second language textbooks. (Author/CB)

Examines the language used by native English speakers in business meetings and compares it with the language taught in English textbooks for use in such meetings, demonstrating that there is almost no correspondence between the two and raising questions regarding the usefulness of such textbooks. (Author/CB)

Reviews two textbooks: "Principles of Biochemistry" by Albert L. Lehninger and "Inorganic Chemistry, A Modern Introduction" by Therald Moeller. Also reviews text, study guide, and laboratory manual for Morris Hein's "Foundations of College Chemistry, Fifth Edition" and text/study guide for David A. Ucko's "Basics for Chemistry." (JN)

Describes a study of currently available introductory chemistry textbooks for nonchemistry majors. Investigators (one philosopher and one chemist) read books and noted instances of value judgments and content. Findings include uniformity in factual content, and an abundance of value judgments on social, political, and economic issues. (DS)

Provides a general description of the National Science Curriculum in Korea including its involvement in science textbook development. Discusses evaluation procedures for science programs and textbooks. Also contains information on curriculum policy and assumptions about learning. (DDR)

Describes the Digital Learning Interactive textbook which allows instructors to customize an online textbook to meet the needs of the instructor and the students. Discusses the features and components aimed at engaging students in the Digital Learning Interactive text. (CMK)

Discusses criteria for writing, designing, and selecting a physics text including topics covered, target students, diverse problems, and focused content. (YP)

Explains that after a vast majority of students expressed disinterest in their social studies classes, a group of teachers attempted to generate student interest by teaching an inclusive history. Focuses on the planning and preparation, teaching methods, and classroom environment. Lists three teaching components that correlate with student…

Explores the presentation of slavery in U.S. history textbooks from 1900 to 1992 with respect to changing ideologies. Identifies five ideological patterns: (1) a neutral presentation; (2) justifying its existence; (3) a necessary evil; (4) Un-American; and (5) a reflection of Conservative values. (CMK)

Discusses aspects of cultural understanding, particularly intercultural understanding, and addresses the development of cultural understanding through geography. Argues that textbooks and other secondary sources should present information about places and communities as changing and contested. Examines five primary geography textbook series and…

Although the phase plane can be plotted and analyzed using an appropriate software package, the author found it worthwhile to engage the students with the theorem and the two proofs. The theorem is a powerful tool that provides insight into the rotational behavior of the phase plane diagram in a simple way: just check the signs of c and [alpha].…

This report contends that most U.S. history and government textbooks give only cursory attention to the Second Amendment "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms..." to the U.S. Constitution, and most endorse a particular political view of the amendment, rather than providing the necessary background for an informed political…

This interim report, intended to help textbook authors and publishers, describes the results of a project in which American schools critiqued Soviet textbooks and Soviet scholars critiqued American textbooks. Secondary level history and geography texts were the focus of the study. There are five chapters to the report: Background to the Study;…