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,…

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…

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…

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)

"Reading Basics Plus" consists of an integrated set of texts, workbooks, duplicating masters, word cards, charts, and teacher's guidebooks. By a process of small group trials, students' and teachers' reactions to the proposed content of the "Reading Basics Plus" program for grades four, five, and six were obtained in order to provide editors and…

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…

Replicates an earlier study in which students read versions of passages rewritten by composition instructors, text linguists, or Time-Life writers. Finds that the composition instructor's revisions were the most effective. Points out methodological lessons learned. Comments on some conclusions on improving textbook design and the measures used in…

Examines how the peer review process influences the writing and publication of sociology textbooks and the teaching of sociology. States that the peer review process may influence the final textbook in five ways: (1) degree of innovation; (2) length; (3) reading level; (4) cloning ancillaries and accessories; and (5) using reviewers as marketing…

Finds that the secondary-school textbook vision of society is homogenized and sanitized to reduce the risk of controversy. Reveals three domains of control that influence textbook visual content: industrial (how the image world of a textbook is created); commercial (marketing pressures); and social (interest groups that influence the visual…

The seventh-grade and eighth-grade program of "Reading Basics Plus" consists of an integrated set of texts, workbooks, and teacher's guidebooks. By a process of small group trials, students' and teachers' reactions to the proposed content of this program were obtained in order to provide editors and contributors with useful information about…