What is a textbook?
A textbook is an informational book that you use specifically for a class at school or college. A textbook is a book of instruction and used for teaching and learning by students and teachers. . Its primary aim is not to impart information about a specific subject but to enable one to develop proper understanding of the subject.
Importance of textbook:
1. Good textbooks are excellent teaching aids.
They're a resource for both teachers and students. A text book is written
according to the syllabus and gives the outline of the course. Therefore it
helps the teacher to decide about the limits and depth of the content to be
presented to the students while teaching.
2. A text book provides insight to the teacher
in planning lesson, in selecting the problems to be worked out, the methods of
teaching to be adopted and the teaching aids to be used. The logical and psychological sequence
followed in a text book helps the teacher in presenting the subject matter in
an orderly and systematic sequence
3. A good text book presents a variety of
worked out examples on each topic. This helps the teacher in getting acquainted
with different types of problems and the methods to solve them. This gives more
self confidence while teaching
4. A text book save a lot of time for the
teacher as he need not spend time to prepare problems and the solutions as they
are readily available in the text books.
5. A text book is an important aid for
learning. It helps the pupils to relate what they are learning to life. It helps to foster the right study attitude
among the students since the text book presents defined and concrete details in
scientific and intensive manner which could arouse the students interest and
curiosity.
6. The well graded exercises provided after
every topic in the text book help the teacher in assigning suitable homework
and assignment to the student.
7. It encourages self study and independent
work among the students.
8. The text book provides important source of
materials for reviewing and recapitulating the lessons taught in the class.
9. memory tool for learners
10. a permanent record of learning
11. source of motivation
12. essential for new teachers
The
text book is valuable only when it is used properly. The text book should not
be used as the only source of instructional material. It should be used as an
aid in teaching, not a substitute for teaching
Essential features of Ideal textbook/aspects of
reviewing a textbook
1. suitable subject matter, variety of subject
matter, age mental level, familiar
2. appropriate vocabulary and structure
3. order and proportion-too long or too short
4. exercises and glossary
5. illustrations
6. printing and paper, number of pages
7. cove, size and binding
8. format
9. reliability and validity
