We have discussed this topic in class and toke some conclusions like that a textbook is only as good as the teacher who uses it. And it's important to remember that a textbook is just one tool, perhaps a very important tool, in our teaching arsenal. Sometimes, teachers over-rely on textbooks and don't consider other aids or other materials for the classroom. Some teachers reject a textbook approach to learning because the textbook is outdated or insufficiently covers a topic or subject area.
When thinking about how i want to use textbooks, i will consider the following:
1.- Use the textbook as a resource for students, but not the only resource.
2.- Use a textbook as a guide, not a mandate, for instruction.
3.- Be free to modify, change, eliminate, or add to the material in the textbook.
4.- Supplement the textbook with lots of outside readings.
5.- Supplement teacher information in the textbook with teacher resource books; attendance at local, regional, or national conferences; articles in professional periodicals; and conversations with experienced teachers.
The following table lists some of the most common weaknesses of textbooks, along with ways of overcoming those difficulties.
| Weakness | Student Difficulty | Ways of Overcoming Problem |
| The textbook is designed as a the sole source of information. | Students only see one perspective on a concept or issue. | Provide students with lots of information sources such as trade books, CD-ROMS, websites, encyclopedias, etc. |
| Textbook questions tend to be low level or fact-based. | Students assume that learning is simply a collection of facts and figures. | Ask higher-level questions and provide creative thinking and problem-solving activities. |
| Textbook doesn't take students' background knowledge into account. | Teacher does not tailor lessons to the specific attributes and interests of students. | Discover what students know about a topic prior to teaching.Design the lesson based on that knowledge. |
| Reading level of the textbook is too difficult. | Students cannot read or understand important concepts. | Use lots of supplemental materials such as library books, Internet, CD-ROMs, etc. |
| The textbook has all the answer to all the questions. | Students tend to see learning as an accumulation of correct answers. | Involve students in problem-solving activities, higher-level thinking questions, and extending activities. |
Ref: teachervision.fen.com/curriculum-planning/new-teacher/48347
