This paper describes how one university professor discovered a gap between her explanation of a class assignment (analyzing a content textbook) and students' comprehension of the assignment. After attending a workshop, she revised all assignments for the content reading course and designed a grading rubric for each assignment. The assignment…

This survey of 11 recently published biology textbooks includes an analysis of content, certain general characteristics, readability, and use of questions. Differences between these and earlier textbooks are noted. The reading difficulty of the new books is found to be less than for those covered in a previous survey. (Author/JN)

Fourteen high school physics textbooks are evaluated. Criteria include content, distribution/organization of content, level (appropriateness of presentation for high school students), readability, appearance, presentation of physics as a growing body of knowledge, awareness of social problems, and adequacy of materials for additional work by…

"Science Work-A-Text" combines a text and workbook approach to studying/teaching grades 1-6 elementary science. Five major themes (living things; health/nutrition; planet earth; the universe; matter and energy) are covered at each grade level. Major focus of the series is on reading and content rather than process. (Author/SK)

Presents examples of sex bias in the illustrations, questions, and texts of a selection of recently published physics textbooks. Indicates that in spite of the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975, some texts are clearly biased such that physics is presented as a male rather than female subject. (SK)

States that co-operative (co-op) economics organizations are ignored in economic introductory textbooks in North America and provides evidence for this assertion. Addresses how to deal with this form of economic organization. Argues that asking who makes the decisions in firms and why, using co-ops as an example, raises important questions. (CMK)

Discussion of ethical quandaries in academe focuses on the ethics of book reviewing. Topics include difficulties in getting published; exploitation of examination copies; reviewing books to get free copies; using book reviews as personal pulpits; inadequate rewards for reviewing books; and qualifications for reviewers. (LRW)

Identified are errors in diagrams from the textbook "Physics" (Little, Brown, and Co., Boston, 1987). Presents and discusses the errors in eight textbook diagrams. The errors include mechanics, optics, and electricity. (YP)

Discusses image reflection in a plane mirror. Illustrates several cases of the reflection and points out the possibility of confusing students by using the term "lateral inversion." (YP)

Analyzes various elementary school social studies publications to determine Columbus's treatment as a heroic figure as well as treatment of the native perspective and factual accuracy. The analysis looks at frequency of appearance, the descriptive adjectives used, his presentation pictorially, and critical thinking questions asked about him.…

Describes an approach, called "Questioning the Author," that is targeted toward getting young readers to engage with their textbooks--to really consider ideas deeply. Notes that the approach attempts to actualize the presence of an author, understand the author as a fallible transmitter of ideas, and transform author's ideas into readers' ideas.…

Describes the development of a course to teach undergraduates the historian's craft through the use of short, provocative books. Lists the books used in the course and how they were used. Discusses student writing assignments using archival materials that allow students to put their learning into practice. (DSK)

Reports on a content analysis of data graphs in introductory level and upper level psychology textbooks. Explains that upper level and introductory textbooks did not differ on the frequency and variability of data graph presentation. Presents the results and discusses implications for teachers of psychology. (CMK)

Filling a tremendous need, this is the first graduate-level child development text written specifically for future educators. The volume provides a solid understanding of major theories of development, focusing on how each has informed research and practice in educational contexts. Topics include the impact of biology and early experiences on the…

The Second World War stands as the most devastating and destructive global conflict in human history. More than 60 nations representing 1.7 billion people or three quarters of the world's population were consumed by its horror. Not surprisingly, therefore, World War II stands as a landmark episode in history education throughout the world and its…