Physical Science Text Books

Text Book : A printed economical device in teaching learning process. A text book stimulates reflective thinking and cultivate scientific attitude

It is one of the important aids in teaching learning process and has occupied a pivotal role in educating the school children.  The science textbook should aim at aiding the pupil in the development of personality, in developing open-mindedness, critical attitude in order to enable him to discover new knowledge.

Functions of Good Science Text Book

• A good science text book should help to form correct understanding of basic concepts and principles of science
• It should inculcate scientific attitude in the pupils and develop an understanding of their scientific method
• It should supplement and enrich classroom learning.
• It should acquaint the pupils with a wide variety of application of scientific knowledge.
• It should provide for the development and practice of skills.
• It should give information about the past discoveries and some thrilling experiences made by the scientist.
• It should help the pupils for systematic and speedy revision of the lessons.

Characteristics of Good Science Textbook

• Qualifications and experience the author

The qualification and experience of the author is very important in the case of text-book writing. Only the author who has certain amount of experience of teaching the subject should be allowed to publish a book because he can understand the actual learning situations and difficulties of the students. 

Moreover he is conversant with the changing concepts and techniques of teaching. Certain minimum academic qualifications may also be prescribed for the author.

• Mechanical features of the textbook

The paper, the binding, the print and type of letters should be attractive. 

The size of the print, spacing and the length of the lines should correspond to the visual capacity of the pupils so as to facilitate easy reading. 

The quantity and quality of illustrations need consideration. Science text-book should be well illustrated with diagrams, sketches, photographs etc. diagrams should be carefully drawn accurate and attractive.

Subject Matter- Its nature and Organization

The subject matter should be addressed by taking care of the following criteria.

• The subject matter should be developed as far as possible in psychological sequence. Care must be taken for the mental growth and interest of the pupils.
• There should be consistency of the subject matter and the text-book should stand for the objectives of science teaching. It should lead to inculcation of scientific attitudes, disciplinary and cultural values and should suggest project or activities for the pupils, which may help to give a better understanding of the principles and concepts.
• Each chapter should begin with a brief introduction and end with a summary.
• Each chapter should contain assignments at the end conforming to the following

1. Application to life situations
2. New types of self-assessment tests
3. Suggestions and experimental work of projects
4. Suggestions for further study
5. Numerical examples, where is desirable

• Headings and sub headings should be in bold type. The matter should be suitably presented in varied and distinctive form.
• Each text-book should contain a detailed table of contents and an index
• The book should be written in lucid, simple and precise scientific language. A standard terminology of scientific and technical terms should be used.It should also contain glossary of technical terms used in the book. It should be free from any type of ambiguity in language, terminology and information
• It should suggest some good methods of learning.
• It should contain helpful and practical suggestions for preparing and improving the science apparatus.
• It is better if the text-book contain examples from longer environments.
• Adequate provision should be made to correlate general science with craft, social environment and physical environment.
• Each text-book should be accompanied by a laboratory handbook or manual.

Louise F Vogel's Criteria for Selection of Science Text-Book

Evaluation scale called VOGEL'S SCORE CARD serves as a guide for selecting science text book

Vogel's spot check evaluation scale

Text Book : 

Author :

Publisher :

Copyright :

Year :

Price :

Score :

10 Criteria

1. Qualification of the author

2. Organization

3. Content

4. Presentation

5. Accuracy

6. Readability

7. Adaptability

8. Teaching Aids

9. Illustrations

10. Appearance

Vogel's evaluation scale is in the form of  a score card with a number of items. Each item has avalue of  2 points. The value of each item under each head is totaled to get the partial score, Then these partial scores are  summed up to get the total score