Introduces a new series of U.S. history textbooks geared to grade five (or grades four, five, and six). The 10-volume series, divided into short, manageable chapters, aims to make history come alive. An excerpt from Book 6 ("War, Terrible War") about the Civil War is presented. (SLD)

Discusses the features of virtual textbooks and characteristics that Web-based systems offer. Describes the four stages in developing virtual textbooks: design, development, delivery, and maintenance. Examines the five considerations that should be addressed when developing a virtual textbook in Web systems: pedagogy, instructional structure,…

This workshop began with a questionnaire that asked participants: how often in a normal week their students use a textbook; their thoughts on the average percentage of use of the textbook in North American classrooms; what a student would be likely to reply if asked whether a particular statement in the textbook was true; how a text is chosen for…

This article examines the history textbooks available in 1998 for adoption in the United States at both the high school and elementary levels. New books have appeared on the scene since the last textbook adoption series. California begins its textbook considerations in August. The California adoption will rekindle national interest in the content…

Because it has been overworked, underanalyzed, and undefined, critical thinking has come to mean anything or nothing. The best work on critical thinking imagines it as an act of composing and revising. Definitions of critical thinking have undergone a historical evolution--from general problem-solving "skills" to a complex of…

This 4-section report begins with an introductory statement on the overall state of Japan's educational system and covers educational administration, organizations for the promotion of audiovisual instruction in Japan, and educational broadcasting agencies. The current Standards for the Provision of Instructional Aids and Equipment for compulsory…

A study examined two 1989 basal reading series' (published by McGraw Hill and Holt) readiness/priming sequences in order to ascertain the theoretical bases of each and then compared the findings with those of an earlier study. All pages of the readiness/priming sequence student texts and workbooks of both basal reading series were analyzed using…

Readability formulas have varied uses. In education they are used to match children's reading ability to the difficulty level of material, select stories and books for classroom use and for individual students' particular needs, select textbooks and other reading materials, aid educational research, and check reading materials of newly literate…

This handbook is intended for those persons who have the responsibility for selecting learning materials for student use. The primary emphasis is on learning materials intended for wide distribution, such as those produced by commercial publishers. An annotated listing is provided of approximately 40 resource publications dealing with the…

A two week survey was conducted to: (1) investigate the state of developmental book activity in Laos, (2) determine the priority of Laos's book needs, (3) develop program recommendations to meet the needs and (4) formulate regional recommendations. Recommendations on materials and methods needed are: (1) continuation of textbook distribution on a…

Explores the origins and elements of popular culture--noting that English instruction and popular culture need not be mutually exclusive, and that selected materials from popular culture may serve goals of the English curriculum without compromising them. (NKA)

Presents research findings about textbook construction and how they should influence the development of chemistry texts. Discusses learning as a constructive process, the importance of interpreting symbolic representations, and the creation of structure by the learner. Advocates publisher responsibility for incorporating results of research when…

Presents a rationale for the desirability and advantages of writing as a means for scholarly growth, service to the professional community, and learning from one's co-authors. Considers what, how, and when to write, interactions with the publisher, and the future of book-writing. (JM)

This article focuses on the political and economic realities surrounding textbook publishing. A discussion of the publishing industry includes an examination of industry decision makers and the influence of profit. State textbook adoption policies are also explored. (IAH)

Course Technology Inc. has developed 10 products combining textbooks with commercial software for college accounting, business, computer science, and statistics courses. Five of the products use Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software. The products have been positively received by teachers and students. (DB)