The influence of textbooks on teaching strategies: an empirical study

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Description/Abstract

This study investigates the influence of textbooks on teaching strategies. Teaching strategies of 14 teachers using University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) secondary mathematics textbooks were compared to those of another 14 teachers using non-UCSMP textbooks in 13 schools. Data were collected from classroom observations, teacher interviews and a questionnaire survey. The results indicate that textbooks appear to affect teaching strategies by conveying pedagogical messages to teachers and providing an encouraging or discouraging curricular environment for employing different teaching strategies. Therefore their role in teachers’ teaching practices should be recognized by textbook authors, curriculum reformers, and school teachers and administrators.