Preterite/Imperfect (PI) usage is one of the hardest grammatical features of Spanish to learn. Some of the blame lies with misleading textbook explanations. A discussion of problematic P/I textbook explanations shows why the presentation of a more reliable set of principles is a preferable alternative to questionable rules of thumb. (18…

Discusses treatment of the United States in Chinese textbooks. Focuses on a world history text and a political economics text for high school seniors. Reports that the Chinese texts present the United States as an imperialistic bastion of capitalism. Suggests that a more balanced presentation is necessary to prepare students for the global era.…

Examines the Marxist-Leninist curriculum assumptions about history instruction in East German schools on the legacy of Nazism. Suggests that questions raised to legitimize history instruction for East German students are relevant for students in capitalist countries. Discusses Hitler's rise to power, Soviet contributions to defeat fascism,…

Presents race concept as an example of how social issues are underemphasized in college science education. Reviews history of the race concept and reports on current status of the concept in textbooks and among college faculty members. Given specific stipulations, proposes continued use of the race concept for some infrahuman species, while…

Describes textbooks of both East and West Germany from 1949-56, 1957-62, 1963-69, and 1970 on. Discusses a shift in West German texts from intense antagonism during the Cold War to a more critical comparison by the 1980s. Compares East German text development that increased in hostility over time, viewing West Germany as a negative alternative to…

Examines the table of contents and the indexes of nine business communication and five technical writing textbooks for coverage of the skills that are needed by businesspeople and engineers. Concludes that technical writing texts are preferable for writing skills, whereas business communication texts are better for oral skills. Makes…

Examines the use of word processing by undergraduate business communication students at the University of Nebraska. Finds that very few use word processors as their primary writing tool. Notes that few business communication textbooks address the use of word processing. Suggests business instructors emphasize the use of word processing in all…

Reports on a study of "considerateness" of five fifth-grade social studies textbooks. Identifies four elements of considerateness: (1) readability level; (2) placement of relevant pictures or illustrations; (3) use of subtitles; and (4) use of words and phrases to connect ideas within and between sentences. (CFR)

Contents of 800 elementary, middle, and high school textbooks published from 1919 to 1991 were analyzed with regard to their levels of difficulty. Following World War II, there was a major decline in schoolbook difficulty which may have led to the subsequent decline in SAT-verbal scores. (MAK)

This article compares two English-as-a-Second-Language textbook and curriculum materials trials conducted in elementary and secondary schools of the Sultanate of Oman in the 1980s. Results found that the smaller and more immediate of the trialling processes provided much more usable information for the rewriting of the trial materials. Contains 11…

Textbooks and learning material for various Grade 10 subjects that were produced by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the National Open University (NOS) and books from a private publisher were analyzed using the following criteria: objectives, presentation, evaluation, layout, and production. Results revealed that…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemistry collection of the College of Wooster's Chemistry Library. In particular, the extent to which the library supports the curriculum of the chemistry and biochemistry program by providing additional sources to supplement course textbooks was evaluated. Focus was on materials present in the…

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Saxon Mathematics series produced gains in math achievement of elementary school students. Mathematics achievement was assessed for 190 students in the Southside School District No. 3, Batesville, Arkansas, using the Stanford Achievement Test Eighth Edition during April 1992 and April 1993. There…

A study examined the readability of vocational horticulture instructional materials used by 40 schools participating in the 1981 Ohio Horticulture Achievement Testing Program. During the first part of the study, researchers administered a mail questionnaire to 31 teachers to identify the materials that were used most frequently, to obtain…

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in Physics was analyzed as a specific indicator of learning outcomes in that undergraduate major. Textbooks were selected as a measure of curriculum content. A representative sample of colleges and universities (n=59) responded to questions about physics courses and textbooks and the existence of a graduate…