A content analysis of 24 of the most widely used preservice teacher education textbooks was conducted in the following areas: sexism, sex differences, women's contributions, and total text content accorded to each sex. Findings indicated that these texts are characterized by omission and imbalance. Recommendations are made for future text…

This essay emphasizes the impact of instructional materials on the development of the individual's self-esteem. It provides guidelines and checklists for the evaluation of sexism and racism, as well as strategies for increasing awareness in the teaching-learning process to help counteract these biases. (Author/DS)

This review of selected social studies texts, series, and supplements, mainly for the secondary level, includes a special section examining eight titles on warfare and terrorism for grades 4-12. (SJL)

Explains why applying a readability formula to a content text is not enough to determine whether a student can read and understand the book. (MKM)

An American politics text should offer a realistic account of the political process and develop the student's own ability to observe, analyze, and criticize political institutions, processes, and ideologies and statements about them. (Author/RM)

The analyses of 11 language arts programs are based on searches into the instructional design of the programs. Four elements--intents, contents, methodology, and means of evaluation--are considered in the analyses. (Author/MLF)

Examines the extent to which industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology is covered within introductory psychology textbooks (n=54). Determined whether I/O psychology was in a section, appendix, or chapter; and also compiled the number of pages that contained I/O psychology. Reports that only one-fourth of the textbooks had an overview. (CMK)

Presents an analysis of undergraduate methods course textbooks (n=26) published in the United States with copyright dates from 1995-1999. Examines aspects of the textbooks, such as demographic qualities, use of pedagogical aids and illustrative material, and topic coverage. Includes the results in detail. (CMK)

Highlights students' ideas about the particle model of matter and its use. Discusses the atomic model in teaching and the rules of the particle modeling game. Demonstrates how a complete understanding of the rules of the model construction yields guidelines for didactic practice. Focuses on problems connected with visual communication through…

Presents a theoretically grounded checklist developed for analyzing the historical content of science textbooks. Results of the analysis indicate that the checklist is able to reveal differences among textbooks. (Contains 65 references.) (DDR)

Provides eight concepts, with illustrative questions for interpreting the authorship of texts, that are borrowed from cultural studies literature: (1) representation; (2) the gaze; (3) voice; (4) intertextuality; (5) absence; (6) authority; (7) mediation; and (8) reflexivity. States that examples were taken from British Columbia's (Canada) social…

Points out that there are too few stories in textbooks. Argues that literary memoir can and should be a powerful supplement to the normal fare in history classrooms. Suggests a number of books that can be used. Notes that it is necessary to appreciate the conditions that influence individuals' range of choices of behavior in their time and…

Hearing-impaired students need exposure to materials that present accurate and encouraging portrayals of people as unique individuals of equal worth and varied talents. Presented are a checklist for evaluating textbooks for fair representation of characters with disabilities and suggestions for compensating for gender, ethnic, and disability bias…

Examines nine science textbooks intended for use in British lower secondary schools from an analytical approach and through an analysis of lesson-units. Finds that the authors were inclined to use practical activities as a vehicle for concept acquisition. Indicates also that science teachers have inadequate notions of a process-based approach. (KO)

Investigated was the mathematical content of 15 college-level physical-geology textbooks published in the period 1980-90. A list of textbooks is provided. Methods, comparisons with other fields of science, and the treatment of specific geological concepts are discussed. (CW)