Textbook with incorrect information
Sometimes I run across information in the textbook that is incorrect - I have to explain to my student that someone made a "typo" but it does not make the school look good. I give them the correct information and move on - is this the best way to handle this situation?
Seems like we agree. In some aspects this is a learning tool in itself.
Hi Rebecca,
Even though it can be a bit confusing to students at times when they read conflicting information it is a valuable tool for them if they recognize that this is preparing them for the future. All of us encounter differing opinions and need to develop our own expertise base from which we can make decisions on how we are going to operate our own careers to be the benefit of our patients, customers, and employers.
Gary
I teach from a text that was created by several clinicians. In several cases, they wrote contradicting information on a subject. I explaned that these were all doctors that had their own opinions. This difference of opinion is something that my students will run into in the real world.
Hi Stephanie,
This is a great example of taking action and then seeing the response to this action. I'm surprised that the editor got back to you. Sounds like they were as interested in making sure their text was accurate as you were in making sure your students had accurate information.
Gary
I have run across this also and have used it as a "teaching moment". However I don't focus on the text item per se. I use it to remind them that even "experts" can make an unintended error and that we will too, within the course of our career. The Key...is to remember that someone will have the correct information for us and that we need to pay attention to it. In one class we, as a group phrased a letter to the editor with the correct information and cited references. Later I brought the editor's response, and thanks, to them to show that the "higher ups" do listen to well reasoned input.
I believe so. I have also found some "typos" on one of our textbooks but once you mention it to the class, at least our students understand that the book is not written by the school and that as long as they pay attention at what they are reading they will be able to understand what the textbook is trying to say. To make mistakes is human.
I would argue that there are two types of "incorrect information" in textbooks. The first, discussed in detail here, is the deadly and multifarious 'typo' -- again, I think this is a 'teachable moment' in that you can show students that 'authority' should not be accepted without question. Nor should it be rejected without question either: one of the most important educational outcomes is balanced judgment.
It is the second type of "incorrect information" which I find most interesting, and here is an example. I just finished reading Ian Kershaw's monumental 2-volume biography of Adolf Hitler: in terms of scholarly weight and depth of knowledge about its subject, this certainly can be acclaimed as a master work. But in one passage, I noted that Kershaw referred to the He-178 as a "rocket" aircraft. This, of course, is entirely untrue -- the He-178 was a jet aircraft, which is an entirely different propulsion system.
Well so what? What do we learn from this? We learn that even extremely knowledgeable authors [and there is no question that Kershaw is in the first rank in his profession] may fall under the influence of a slip of the pen or a momentary misapprehension when writing. Or in other words, that the road to correct knowledge is not a matter of accepting authority, but of engaging with it to produce a collective wisdom. Just as sand produces a pearl when trapped in an oyster, an error can be a nugget for a gem of a learning experience.
Hi Shane,
Great way to use incorrect information and/or outdated material as a teaching tool. This way your students will look at material in the future a more analytical way.
Gary
I have also run into this problem. Either the information is not correct, outdated or is somewhat biased. For example, in a human resource book that I was using; it was clear that the author was very pro-union. I took the opportunity to create a discussion question that opposed unions to get the students to use a more balanced approach when thinking.
Hi Kim,
Good way to handle such mistakes. They are teachable moments that we instructors need to take advantage of when ever we can. These kinds of issues help to get the students to look closely at the course content which enhances their exposure to strategies for identifying accurate information.
Gary
Yes, I have encountered a few errors in the textbooks that I have used. I corrected the errors, but also tried to turn them into "teach-able moments" for the students. There are times when the experts (authors) have unintentionally made an error. Errors/mistakes do happen, and that it is alright to question (tactfully) "facts".
Incorrect textbook material may still be useful in the classroom. I encourage my students to look at the material to get ideas and think about what can be done better in the examples given.
This is exactly true. We tell our students the same thing. We have found a few typo's here or there. But, it is always better to go back and cross reference and look things up. Thanks
While incorrect information in textbooks is annoying, it is also an excellent example of how many books (particularly programming books, I've noticed) often have such mistakes.
I try to use these as examples of why students should not take the information in any book (or website, or from a person) as 100% correct without cross referencing or verifying it in some way.
Hi Michelle,
Yes. All you can do is let the students know about the errors, give them the correct information and then move on just as you say. When something like this happens in one of my classes I prepare and give my students a handout of the correct information so the students can have it in their notes.
Gary
i am not sure that i have seen a text that is wrong, maybe out dated or regional terminology. i explain the differences or new information and move on.
Yes, I have seen this as well. Usually I explain the change, issues, problem in a clear and reasonable manner. A focus on fixing the error or updating the information. The author is not associated with the school, things may be outdated, and usually the students are understanding.
