Discusses the factors that have determined the author's approach to writing medical physiology textbooks. Reviews the author's career and the events surrounding the development of each textbook. Explains the motivation behind critical decisions made during the authoring process. (DDR)

Textbooks and other printed materials will be ever present, in the foreseeable future, as major aids for teaching and learning processes. New textbooks imply new guidelines for teachers, and the ways to handle such guidelines demand teacher training. This paper explains some links between inservice teacher training programs and the development of…

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)

Discusses relationships among teachers, curriculum package authors, and publishers. Describes the Atlantic Science Curriculum Project's reform efforts. Recommends that curriculum development projects include: (1) lengthy informal development; (2) combined testing of design and materials; (3) the withholding of contracts until materials are in…

Frances FitzGerald's critique of American social studies and history curricula in "America Revised" is reviewed. The conclusion drawn is that censorship, special interests, and marketability exercise too great an influence on the textbook industry. (JMF)

Summarizes the five reasons why the National History Standards will have a minimal effect on history instruction in U.S. schools: (1) the controversy behind the standards; (2) the unrealistic and impractical nature of the standards; (3) competition with local policies; (4) the formulation of widely adopted textbooks; and (5) the nature of history.…

Written from the perspective of a textbook editor, this paper reviews the limitations on curricular reform in mathematics. In the first section, an argument is presented that the style and manner of the presentation of educational materials are more important than the content presented. This section also raises objections to the current push to…

Discusses the problem of finding appropriate communication and grammar texts for English-as-a-second-language (ESL) business students. Notes that texts do exist; however, more needs to be done before English characteristics of business can be adequately presented to ESL students. Provides lists of available texts. (PD)

A discussion of the role of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) textbooks in Hong Kong schools is examined first in social and historical contexts and then within the framework of a newly revised public school curriculum. The textbook is first viewed from three perspectives: curricular (socio-political); instructional (as an educational tool); and…