Explores the origins of the myth expressed in many early geology textbooks that clay and shale are impervious to water. Misconceptions about the effects of molecular attraction on groundwater appear to have arisen from errant interpretations of correct physicochemical concepts. (PVD)

Using ordering tasks in which 51 grade-12 students arranged fragmented text passages, it was observed that students produced a high number of texts with top-level structures that employed minimal organizational components and had recourse to local coherence criteria to organize the text. (PR)

Analyzes a set of undergraduate syllabi for a survey of the history of psychology. Identifies several trends: most instructors rely heavily on textbooks for course organization, three texts accounted for more than 60% of book choices, and newer areas of historical interest did not appear to any substantial degree. (DSK)

Nominal level gender and gender-related information in four, well-known basal reading series was gathered and analyzed. For each of 746 stories, the number of male and female main characters in text and illustrations was determined. Employment status, job title and estimated yearly salary were obtained for employed adult, human, main characters.…

Composition teachers are faced with so many writing textbooks on the market that it indeed seems useful to examine them in detail, looking for any distinguishing characteristics as well as commonalities. A content analysis focused on one aspect of the 24 argument texts available: the sample arguments they include. The texts contained a grand total…

This report presents a detailed analysis of "Discover Art," an elementary textbook series by Laura Chapman. The study was guided by a large set of framing questions requiring a detailed examination of the series' goals, rationale, and structure; content selection, organization, and emphasis; the coherence of content explication in the…

A study investigated African-American children, Section 1703(f) of the Equal Education Opportunity Act of 1974 and the attention paid to teaching these children to read in current reading method textbooks. The main aspects of Black English were identified and recognized as significant barriers to reading achievement. The contents of 14 of the most…

This report presents the findings of a project whose purpose was to conduct a complete survey of the various states to determine the existence and content of state mandates and competency statements as they relate to economic literacy, and more specifically, how "Our Economy: How It Works," meets these mandates and competency statements.…

The author has surveyed eight popular algebra texts in order to determine the extent of sex bias in the problem sets. Her findings, which show that, by and large, word problems embody the usual sex stereotypes, are described in detail. (SD)

This book analyzes the contribution made by school textbooks to the fostering of lifelong learning skills. Two complementary approaches were adopted for the research on which it is based. The first, a deductive approach, is reflected in part 1 of the book. Starting from the conceptual framework of lifelong education as it has been developed by the…

This exploration of the origins of educational communications and technology as a field focuses on the 1920s when the visual education movement first appeared. An explanation of the study precedes separate reviews of 13 primary sources--i.e., visual education textbooks--and draws on them to provide evidence for an analysis of the ideas and forces…

A comprehensive review of science education research revealed the lack of studies related to the act of reading. Reasons for the apparent lack of research attention to the reading area include: (1) reading is not needed in science teaching; (2) reading is needed but it is not frequently used; and (3) reading is needed and used but not identified…

To determine the frequency of simple main ideas (explicit statements found in a single T-unit), delayed completion main ideas (explicit statements using no more than two T-units), and inferred main ideas in social studies textbooks, 100 passages from second, fourth, sixth, and eighth grade textbooks were analyzed. Results of the study revealed…

Because the state of Texas is the largest single market for secondary texts in the nation and because its state adoption process has drawn a small but well-organized group of protestors, the Texas textbook adoption process has begun to shape textbooks in use nationwide. A study was conducted to examine the arguments most recently used by citizens…

The role that illustrations can play in textbooks and other instructional materials is an issue that must appear rather baffling to the instructional materials designer. Focusing primarily on the use of illustrations in textbooks designed for able readers, a literature review has revealed the following: (1) illustrations have been shown in a few…