The Characteristics and the Role of Science Textbooks: Teaching the Textbook or Teaching by the Textbook

Abstract

It has been reported that science textbooks are not being used in the classes of elementary and middle school. The reason most cited is that the textbook presents the “answers”. In this study, the nature and role of science textbooks were discussed. Science textbooks describe parts of the science paradigm in simple ways without altering their character. Just as the scientist finds and solves problems in the paradigm in normal science activity, learners can also find and solve scientific problems in the textbook, and, in doing so, the learners can learn the science. The role of observations and experiments in textbooks is to support the text reading. Reading textbooks as part of the science paradigm is the gateway to participating in science. Understanding the textbook is the fundamental basis for the learner’s to acquire and appreciate scientific knowledge. The results of this study strongly suggest that textbooks are scientific texts that should be utilized in elementary and middle school.