Background/Context: Despite advances in the learning sciences, a persistent gap remains between research and practice. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study: In this project, we develop and try out a new approach to education research and development in which researchers, designers/developers, and instructors collaborate to…

The aim of this study was to determine secondary school students' choice of design features for digital textbooks. As a part of the research--which was conducted using a mixed technique--a literature review was carried out to source points to consider in the designing of digital textbooks and experts' opinions were obtained. Based on the results,…

During the past 30 years, the author has worked with children and young adults from ages 3 to 18 (not to mention teachers, families, administrators, lecturers, and visiting authors), and she has read a lot of books. Because there are so many kids' books being published these days, she is not expecting total perfection. Still, there are many things…

The main purpose of this study is to determine the level of use of primary sources in the 6th Grade Social Studies Course Books. The "document analysis" method from among the qualitative research methods was used in the study. The study was conducted on 4 books from among the Social Studies course books published by total of 6 Publishing…

To prevent a paper from being discarded and ensure that it addresses the right audience, it must have a proper title that satisfies certain requirements. Writing the titles to scientific articles is therefore a challenging exercise that demands the use of various skills. Still, although the research paper is one of the most thoroughly studied…

Reviews the kinds of discourse analyses that are currently being undertaken, summarizes research findings, and makes suggestions based on these findings for structuring texts to be used for instructional or informational purposes. (Author/MER)

Presents a review of recent studies on the influence of interest on textbook comprehension. States that most studies indicate that interest plays a significant part in text learning. Identifies objections to this, especially regarding deficits in conceptualizing and measuring interest. Educational implications for the construction of textbooks are…

The study compared the effectiveness of two types of science textbook adaptations--graphics and study guides--and of self-study with 49 learning-disabled high school students in four classes. Results indicated better test scores for students using graphics-adapted texts. No differences were found between study guide adaptations and self-study.…

Finds that although pictures do not seem to increase comprehension of the material, students prefer texts with them. Concludes that pictures provide no cognitive benefit but do have an affective impact on students, the nature of which was not determined by the research. (SRT)

Ninth-grade social studies students were asked to paraphrase a text excerpt. Results showed that students encounter the most serious reading difficulties when texts fail to take into account students' lack of background information and thus seriously underwrite the ideas. What authors and editors should do to improve textbooks is discussed.

Extends and partially replicates a study comparing a segment from a high school history text with revised versions by linguists, composition teachers, and "Time-Life" writers. Finds that revisions by composition teachers were most effective. Suggests that textbook writers revise texts based on comments made by readers as they read. (RS)

Discusses the need for a Chinese business-communication textbook that is limited to and defined as communication in foreign trade and that eliminates trite expressions and out-of-date style and formats in the business writing of Chinese engaged in international business. (DF)

The results of two experiments in technical textbook design are discussed. It was concluded that college students are looking for an easy-to-read text with lots of examples. This style was found to improve students' comprehension substantially. (Author/GK)

Offers the author's own experiences with the textbook publishing process to point out that authors and publishers produce textbooks which sell, that textbooks which sell continue in print and inspire imitators, and that teachers' power in the process stems from their choices about which textbooks they will use. (JAD)

Finds that textbook prefaces are used by authors both to help the audience use the book and to convince them of its value, which accounts for relevant features of prefaces: the frequent use of textual metadiscourse and the pervasive presence of evaluation. Discusses evaluative criteria used in prefaces and how they are related to the audience's…