A Framework for Textbook Analysis

Textbooks are widely accepted as a common feature of classrooms worldwide and are important vehicles for the promotion of curricula. Consequently their content and structure are very important for the promotion of a specific vision of curriculum. There are many features of textbooks, some which go unknown to the authors, which have a significant impact on their target audience. Such features can have positive or negative impacts on learning. Textbook analysis is a means by which these features can be identified and hence the effectiveness of textbooks be established. The author in her research on mathematics textbooks has established a framework for textbook analysis based on the work of Halliday (1973), Morgan (2004), the TIMSS study (Valverde et al., (2002)) and Rivers (1990) which comprises four key elements; Content, Structure, Expectation and Language. The author is hence using her own research on mathematics textbooks to develop and highlight aspects of textbook analysis. Textbook analysis is particularly important to support educational reform and hence this chapter sets out to establish the significance of conducting textbook research and highlighting best practice in the area.