Textbooks

    This article from Herbel-Eisenmann and Wagner covered quite an interesting topic on how textbook language and accompanying images could influence students, teachers and the world at large. The linguistic choices used in math textbooks tend to be more distanced from the students, making them feel disconnected. Words like "might" make questions too hypothetical, thus not applicable or realistic. Using the proposed framework, we question the phrasing of textbook wording to see if the content is relevant to the students. As a student back then, I rarely related to the textbook and instead used the textbook as a drill book to find practice problems or homework. I have never taken my time to read the examples or think too deeply about the questions as I find none of the content relatable or relevant to me. On the other hand, as a teacher, I see the textbook as no more than additional references for students and me to refer to on a particular topic. I would not bring attention to many textbook examples, such as the femur question, and instead would try to frame the questions more relevant to the students.

    Math teachers have three camps of supporters of textbooks: those who teach to the textbook, those who teach with the textbook and those who forgo the textbook. My school advisor does not use the textbook; they make their own notes package with examples using relevant questions applicable to modern times. The current textbooks in the schools are nearly a decade old, so many of the questions/problems need to be updated. My school advisor also dislikes how the textbooks emphasize small details, like it is a big issue, while specific topics are glanced over even though they are essential to discuss. (Also, textbooks tend to lie to simplify the lesson) Those teaching the textbook might follow it word for word or make note packages directly adapting from the textbook using similar or exact examples. Textbooks are more like an additional source of practice and should give further context with different wording on the topics covered in class if students need to look into it. I would create note packages with relevant examples so students feel more engaged in solving the problem themselves. If the students need additional help, the textbook is there to see another perspective on the topic while providing more practice problems if they want it.