Books
Not being updated and test banks, do you have issues with poor edited materials?
Pat,
This is such a great service you are providing to your students. I commend you for your effort because they are getting the latest and most accurate employment information that is available.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Due to the ever changing employment outlook, I developed a binder style book in my Professional Development Class that changes with the trends.
Although it requires more preparation time for each class, I am assured that the material is current.
My Ethics book is to have instrunctional materials. However I have called, emailed and written and cannot access the web site or gmaterials from the web site, Gloria
Hi James,
Talk with your textbook rep and threaten not to continue using the books goes a long way in getting their attention. Currently many publishers are worried about continued books sales with all of the online resources that are available.
Several publishers have put together committees of content specialists to review manuscripts for accuracy. You could suggest to your rep that his/her company do such to make sure their books are accurate.
Gary
Hi Ross,
You can keep your credibility by showing your students the errors you find in their textbooks and relating these errors back to what is accurate for the field. This way they know what is accurate plus respect you for your knowledge of the field.
Gary
Accuracy and content errors seem to be commonplace in most textbooks. How can we encourage publishers to check for these issues?
It causes problems with my credibility when I'm instructing from a book that contains inaccurate or outdated information.
Some of the information in my textbooks is incorrect. I have students research the correct information and correct it in the book.
I use the assigned book for the class I teach and the testbanks. I often find that if I see an error in the book it creates a great topic of discussion for the class and a good way for me to introduce different ways of thinking in a given field. A question may have more than one answer that I see as correct and when the class can discuss why one student chose one answer and one chose another it intoduces different ways of looking into the material. Students will argue their logic and I like to point out that the same thing happens in their chosen profession, different people will do things different ways and achieve the same result.
Hi Cynthia,
This is a good caution for all instructors. Publishers don't check as accurately as they should between the text and the test bank. Be sure you do a review for yourself before using textbook test banks.
Gary
There is so much incorrect information in the textbook I use, I think I confuse the students more than help them. The textbook will say one thing and the test bank will have the correct answer. I will usually correct the situation and throw the question out.
Whew! You are so right, and the testbank is often wrong. I pull a test and check the answer before administering the test.
Hi Susie-
Dennis Heinke, Adjunct Instructor, here. 'Nice to hear someone else happy with their texts. I've lucked out so far...have had two great texts, on Interpersonal Relations, and Intro to Psych. Both are very well written, and have wonderful supplemental materials/resource book. I also go online, to find additional videos to supplement the text material. There are a few errors in the texts, mostly typos, and the test banks do have a few questions that have resulted in student challenges, and me accepting a different answer, because the text was unclear. However, all-in-all, I'm happy.
Hi Susan,
Though not unusual it is sad when students have to use a text like this. Though you can make it a teachable moment as you go through the course through the use of your handouts and showing them what is accurate for your field.
Gary
I have run into this so many times that I quit using the test banks and just make my own test.
We also have one particular text book that is horrible. It is not even accurate to what is being used in the office(dental assisting). I even asked a Dentist if this was maybe something they were taught in dental school and even he had no idea what the book was talking about! We go over the terms and definitions and thats about all that book is good for. I hate it because the students pay around $80 for this book. Most of the class of based on handouts.
Providing student friendly envirement allow students to ask question and participate with the class meterials thus creates better learning for all concern
Since I teach technology class, I use books as notes for the students. They can complete any task by following step by step instructions.
Hi Susie,
You are so fortunate. Many instructors are "stuck" with a textbook not of their choosing. By having one you like and can teach from gives you head start on learning in your class.
Gary
I think that it is prudent to review the text and revise some of the materials for the students in a hand out. Often times the text is hard to understand and this definitely helps clarify what you as the instructor want the students to know for exams.
