Presents a brief sketch of the history of American reading texts, describing the educational and cultural conditions that have prompted changes in reading methods and materials and in the textbooks themselves. (Author/NH)

Examines the effect of refutation text structure (text that contrasts correct ideas with incorrect ones) on students' misconceptions of Newtonian mechanics, noting that refutation text is efffective in getting students to change their prior misconceptions. Also suggests two ways to help students abandon misconceptions that are not refuted in a…

Studies changes in the political culture of China from 1970-1976 through an analysis of elementary/secondary language textbooks. Agrees that texts are political handbooks for the young, providing them with rules and guidelines for behavior and revealing political reality as leaders would like the young to view it. (NEC)

If interregional and global developments are what is most important in recent world history, how far back in time must we go to find a world that can be written about exclusively in terms of bounded cultures and civilizations? Why the period 1000-1500 is a good place to start is discussed. (RM)

World history instruction needs a theoretical framework to help make the history of all mankind intelligible and therefore teachable. A possible source from which this framework might be drawn is the work of a French school of historical studies known as Annales. (RM)

Reviews research dealing with two major questions: (1) Is sexism present in teaching materials? and (2) Are boys poorer readers than girls and should teaching materials be geared to their interests? (FL)

It has been customary to simplify texts to increase their readability for young readers. Recent studies suggest that it is the predictability of texts that is the key to their readability and that simplification may actually create problems for the reader. (RBW)

Argues that educators need to be familiar with US educational history in order to distinguish between what is merely recent and what is genuinely new in English instruction. (MM)

To illustrate the importance of black people in American history, specific individuals are identified who played major roles in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, exploration and pioneering, and science and technology. (AV)

A review of American government textbooks shows that significant change has occurred concerning the content of newer textbooks, specifically the way they treat theories of elitist groups and systems analysis. (ND)

Analyzes representative texts now in use in undergraduate Russian instruction, and seeks to stimulate investigation of texts which may have been overlooked in this survey. (AM)

More than ever, educators are expected to make decisions that guarantee quality instruction. As knowledge emerges, so do philosophies, opinions, and rhetoric about definitions of instructional excellence. From policy makers to classroom teachers, educators need ways to separate misinformation from genuine knowledge and to distinguish scientific…

Course books are said to be the core of language teaching and learning processes on which the EFL teachers and English language institutes obviously base their activities. EFL students often consult teachers for a suitable textbook or even a good institute to be recommended to them for self-study or regular classroom attendance. Frankly speaking,…

While American Legion officials wasted few words condemning the works of John Dewey and his followers, they really focused their attention and efforts on the curriculum materials developed and written by Harold Rugg. In 1941, as the U.S. prepared for war, the American Legion was busy writing and distributing the pamphlet, "The Complete Rugg…