Changes in the Selection Process for Upper Secondary School Chemistry Textbooks Concerning the Manufacture of Sodium Hydroxide

Abstract

In this research project, upper secondary school chemistry textbooks were examined for the period between 1947-1996 in order to find out how the changes in the way Sodium Hydroxide is manufactured during this period were presented. By interviewing authors and editors, I attempted to find out their views with regard to the teaching materials. I also investigated the technological and social changes that have influenced the way the chemical industry produces Sodium Hydroxide. The results are as follows: (1) Teaching materials found in upper secondary school chemistry textbooks concerning the manufacturing Sodium Hydroxide included the Solution method, the Porous Partition Membrane method, the Mercury method, and the Ion Membrane method. (2) With regard to the teaching materials, the authors and editors said that the books must reflect present chemical manufacturing techniques and that difficult concepts about the chemical manufacturing process are not introduced until students have mastered the basic concepts. (3) Changes regarding the way the manufacture of Sodium Hydroxide is taught in upper secondary school chemistry textbooks have generally corresponded with the changes in the chemical industry.