Reconsiders the place of Peter Berger's "Invitation to Sociology," in teaching undergraduate sociology courses. Traces the success and intellectual impact of the work. Describes the image of sociology it presents. Reviews its treatment of human freedom as a sociological issue. Examines its world vision and evaluates its usefulness in…

Reexamines aspects of the "real books/reading scheme books" debate that erupted into British literacy education in the late 1980s. Argues that the debate was not over-polarized, but that it did not take appropriate account of scholarly review of related research. Notes the relationships to current developments in the field. (DSK)

Motivation is a rather persistent problem in guiding students to read well. If a student lacks motivation, a low energy level will be available for learning to read. Through motivation, a learner is encouraged to achieve definite goals in reading. Attention and retention by the student are important in recognizing new words whether the approach is…

Presents information on textbook design and marketing practices, and their consequences for textbook content; recommends that selection committees firmly define the role of the textbook in curriculum, and adapt published materials to their school system's unique requirements. (MCG)

Reviews 21 one-semester economics textbooks using Kenneth E. Boulding's ideas for introductory textbooks. Lists 240 concepts and topic areas in macroeconomics, microeconomics, public policy, and international economics that may be covered in a textbook. (NL)

Guidelines are presented for improving textbook adoption procedures to ensure that instructional materials address diverse learner characteristics and that educators receive necessary training to effectively use instructional materials to teach diverse learners. The guidelines are based on research reviews, document reviews, and fieldwork directly…

Discusses and presents data from an examination of coverage and treatment of Native Americans in 20 secondary United States history textbooks published in the 1970s. Findings indicate that publishers are moving away from the more established historical interpretations of U.S. history and including content which promotes multiethnic education. (DB)

A technique is presented for evaluating textbooks, using graphic organizers to represent textbook material so that it can be evaluated according to familiarity, interest, and structural coherence. Two sixth-grade social studies textbooks are graphically represented, and suggestions on using the technique are offered to publishers, state adopters,…

Examines the negative implications of special interest group influence on the selection of textbook content for public school students. Suggests guidelines for altering the textbook adoption process to reduce the domination of public testimony by interest groups. Argues that limiting students to one view is not conducive to critical thinking and…

Textbooks play a greater role in students' learning than is usually recognized, and teachers should examine textbook materials more carefully to assess their value for different learners with different cognitive styles. A new, more student-centered model of teaching and learning, the Annehurst Curriculum Classification System (ACCS), focuses on…

A survey designed to investigate how challenges to school library materials relate to the overall selection process found that (1) the number of challenges increased steadily with increasing grade level; (2) local challenges were more restrictive than state challenges; and (3) active challenges affected administrators' selection, making them more…

During the late sixties and early seventies a new nontextbook, lab-centered approach was used in science instruction in elementary grades. With the arrival of the eighties, science curriculum has come full circle, and new science textbooks with corresponding curriculum guides are being adopted. (JN)

This report, submitted to the 71st Texas Legislature in fulfillment of the mandates contained in House Concurrent Resolution 84, summarizes a study of the feasibility of an 8-year cycle for the adoption of certain textbooks and considers the feasibility of contracting with textbook publishers on a freight prepaid basis. First, 6-year versus 8-year…

Compares the production and selection of textbooks in the United Kingdom and North America with respect to such areas as derivation of textbook ideas, evaluation of the ideas, production, distribution, how and by whom the books are bought, and limitations on certain textbook topics. (GT)

Textbooks play a central role in the US education system. High school level World Geography textbooks are an important tool in the campaign to reform geography education in the United States, particularly through the introduction of the National Geography Standards. The status of the Standards in US schools is appraised. Five factors (authority,…