Infinite series are known to be challenging for Calculus II students, perhaps because they lack intellectual need for the content. In their analysis of Calculus textbooks found few instances of potential intellectual needs for infinite series. This study combines a textbook analysis with interviews of four professors and observations of their…

This article responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Canada's 2015 call for the education of Canadians about "residential schools, treaties, and Aboriginal peoples' historical and contemporary contributions to Canada." It is an analysis of the Canadian and world studies curricula and texts in Newfoundland and Labrador, 1 of…

Geography textbooks contain chapter or review questions that may engage students in spatial thinking. This research used Jo and Bednarz's (2009) "Taxonomy of Spatial Thinking" to evaluate the percentage of spatial thinking questions in four university-level world geography course textbooks. The results from this study were then…

Technological innovation is driving fundamental changes in all aspects of our lives. This is especially true of digital content, as our use of e-books, downloadable music, streaming television and movies, and online social networks has exploded. However, the explosive growth in our use of digital content seems so far to have eluded many of the 50…

Compares a content analysis of 60 college introductory psychology textbooks published or revised between 1969 and 1975 with another analysis of 52 texts published or revised between 1980 and 1989. Finds recent texts more voluminous and more comprehensive, yet more readable than their predecessors. (CFR)

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)

Each issue in this set of newsletters is devoted exclusively to reviews of a science textbook. Each text is reviewed by two scientists and one science educator. Textbooks reviewed by issue are: (1) "Scott, Foresman Biology" (1988); (2) "Heath Life Science" (1987); (3) "Prentice-Hall Biology" (1987); (4) "Scott, Foresman Life Science" (1987); (5)…

Reports on a study of 38 social problems textbooks and their treatment of issues related to poverty. Points out that most of the books ignore poverty's historical background and the impact of the 1980s on poverty. Includes questions used for analyses and a list of the reviewed textbooks. (CFR)

Analyzes high school economics textbooks through an examination of the questions that textbooks traditionally address about economic production: What, how much, and how will something be produced, and who gets the product? Considers teachers' relationships to economic textbooks and courses. Concludes that textbooks should be more relevant to…

Stating that the primary function of textbooks is to transmit quantity and quality of knowledge, Woodward argues that photographs and other design features should be relevant to the topic, extending learning beyond the written text. Presents recommendations for evaluating the instructional quality of textbook photographs. (GEA)

Maintains that philosophy has become an integral part of geography education at the university level. Considers the value of textbooks in teaching and learning about philosophy in geography. Reviews textbook treatment of the topic and provides a list of 25 textbooks that explore geographic philosophy. (CFR)

Refutes the claim that textbooks are responsible for educational difficulties. States that textbooks are a reflection of what teachers want. Provides a behind the scenes look at textbook production. Points out the problems created by the lack of a national curriculum and the textbook policies of state adoption committees. (RW)

Provides step-by-step procedures for developing an index which uses the Gunning Fog technique to evaluate the level of reading difficulty of textbooks. Cites examples, illustrations, and several warnings in the discussion. (RT)

The production of science textbooks and the processes whereby both producers and consumers can work to improve them are described. Included are discussions of selection at the state level and a publishers perspective, and six textbook experiments at different levels from different publishers. (CW)

Examines 11 elementary science texts in terms of conceptual structure and reasoning demands using concept maps. Reports that (1) the conceptual structures vary widely across texts; (2) most of the structures are well defined; and (3) the reasoning demands are above the developmental capabilities of most of primary-level children. (Author/YP)