TEXTBOOK AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL AID AND A

LEARNING MATERIAL

~LALIT KISHORE

Teaching

Importance of TB

Textbooks should support bothstudent learning, and teacher’s instructional plans

Viability of textbook

Specific prescribed textbooks are written directly to address the syllabus topics both in the government and private sectors.

Examinations are given by the state / central exam boards or schools to ensure compliance with the syllabus, and, by extension, from textbooks to ‘remain within the course’ and as content-validity.

TB quality concern

Assuming that textbooks dictate the content of most instruction,

school managers, educators, parents, and society want to know… What’s the quality of the textbook, and

how much students learn from it?

A study results on textbook use Worldwide, on an average, around 60 percent of

class time is structured around print materials Around 50 percent of teachers received some training

in the use of TB as a teaching-learning aid 2 5 p e rc e nt fro m p ublis he rs , 1 5 p e rc e nt fro m g o ve rnm e nta l s cho o l s up p o rt

s y s te m , a nd 1 0 p e rc e nt fro m s o m e o the r s o urc e s like te a che r

a s s o c ia tio ns , a c a d e m ic s e m ina rs Almost, fifty percent teachers worldwide

do not receive any training of how to transact a textbook to optimize learning by students

Study conclusions and implications Textbooks and other print materials are

expensive resources used far from optimally, in both developed as well as developing countries.

Training, follow-up, support and school based development of learning material like worksheets, activity sheets, test papers and print-rich classroom environment

Need-analysis based science TB When educators/

teachers focus on textbooks, they most often look at the quality of the books in terms of Content Format National

Curriculum Framework needs

Evaluation scheme needs

EMU ApproachEducation-Motivation-Understanding CCE

NCF

MI

TB writing approach: EMU

E= EducationM=MotivationU=Understanding and higher order thinking skills

Education view point

Holistic development As a person (life skills development,

social development) Cognitive development ( thinking,

feeling individual: Multiple and emotional intelligences)

Teaching-learning-evaluation continuum Attitudes and sensitivity toward

environment

Motivation

Attraction: Formatting, colours, illustrations, binding, size

Interesting varied activities and processes Use of semi-abstract depiction: Graphics and

visuals Revision summaries for future use and readiness Supplementary electronic-learning material with

animation and quick revisions and speedy evaluation

Print-rich classroom environment Feeling of success and inclusion

Understanding and higher order thinking skills Understanding of concepts Analysis: meaning construction, interpreting,

concluding Creativity, synthesis Application Evaluation : Self-assessment and self-

improvement

Opportunities and activities for formative assessment Homework exercises Group discussion Research and presentation Assignment completion and presentation Cross-curricular projects and reports Oral tests Student seminars and exhibitions

Activity-based learning

Demonstrating activity for concept attainment Doing and formalizing activity through activity

Sheet (10 formal activities in a year) Material manipulation activity – qualitative

interpretation activity – non-standard measurement activity

Preparing an activity sheet Objective – materials – diagram – procedure –

observation – result - precautions

Word-puzzles: Active vocabulary building Doing a word puzzle and its analysis Making a word puzzle Demystification of word puzzle making for 10

words and assigning work to students after a topic

Word puzzles by students and their peer evaluation or exhibition

Visual symbols and diagrams

Representation of reality in two-dimension line drawing for recognition and communication

Converting pictures in visual symbols and diagram

Labeling of diagram and caption writing

Musicality to important terms and revision summaries

Six word pattern poetryCinquain pattern poetry for

definitionsAcrostic pattern poetry where

possible

Reading skills and print-rich class environment with origami Replaceable charts with holders

Word-frame charts Photo-corner charts Paper sheet holder charts Slip holders for flow charts