The textbook method of teaching is one of the oldest methods of teaching. Simply put, this entails using a textbook as the primary source of knowledge for a class. Typically, the teacher reads aloud from the textbook, explaining each page as they go. This can be accomplished either through a lecture format or just by having the students read the content and engage in class discussion.
The textbook is not just a book. It is a tool, medium, and instrument that the teacher uses to present the subject matter to the pupils. It is the basis for planning the course of study, for lesson planning, and for evaluating pupil progress.
Textbooks are also an essential influence on pupils. They provide pupils with a ready-made source of information and ideas about the world around them. They present a given view of life, of people, of events, and of problems.
Meaning
A textbook is referred to as a book with extensive content that is read or taught in order to teach a specific subject (for example, science, chemistry, or history topics).
In other words, textbooks are also known as school books since they contain the information that is taught in classrooms.
Technical Definition
“A textbook is, technically, a teaching tool that offers activities and resources for students in all subjects. The textbook serves as the central focus of all curriculum learning activities”.
The textbook method of teaching is the most psychologically advantageous for kids because it is both teachers- and kid-centered and allows for activities.
In the textbook method, a teacher begins the learning process based on the student’s interests and mental capacities as well as their age.
Importance of Textbook
The textbooks that are necessary for the teaching-learning process as well as the specific textbooks that are beneficial for teacher preparation must be used by the teachers. As a result, textbooks are crucial.
A textbook is any manual of teaching that covers a specific area of study, is organized logically, is designed for use at a high level of education, and serves as the primary source of study material for a particular course.
Textbooks are essential to the educational system and assist students to develop in moral, intellectual, and spiritual ways that are in harmony. In order for youngsters to genuinely find interest in textbooks, they must be both full of essential knowledge and information and attractive in quality and presentation. Indeed, creating a textbook is a work that calls for technical expertise. Writing textbooks, especially for youth, requires a lot of love and labor.
Textbooks have become all the more important because of the explosion of knowledge. There is too much to learn. Textbooks provide the services of the experts in the form of concentrated, sifted, and logically arranged knowledge which otherwise would not be possible by direct experiences.
Three-Phase Textbook Method of Teaching
To meet the needs of teaching and strategies, three phases of teaching methods are suggested.
- Before reading the textbook
- While reading the textbook
- After reading the textbook
Phase Number 1:- Before Reading the Textbook
The following factors should be taken into consideration when a learner begins reading a book aloud, aloud while speaking, or silently:
- Both the teacher and the learner should be aware of the reading’s desired target.
- A connection between the learner’s prior knowledge and the material being taught today must be made by the teacher. How much the learner already knows about current learning approaches should be made clear with regard to the discussion of signs and examples.
- Different types of questions might be used to this end to encourage the teacher to consider the second part of the subject.
- By describing the key concepts of the subject, the student will receive assistance and be prepared to read the lesson’s material, which first seems challenging. He will also become the center of attention.
- It is also important to introduce the idea of the half-subject of teaching and the terminology employed in it, as well as to make clear how modern conceptions relate to current self-subject concepts.
Phase Number 2:- While reading the textbook
- It is essential to keep in mind and attention to the following issues when you are required to begin reading aloud from a textbook in class or for homework.
- In a classroom with many students, care should be taken with the print line, margins, or spacing between words and lines.
- Self-correction should be taught, meaning that both the right and the incorrect should be communicated.
- Questions should be asked on important points and the information should be encouraged to be written down in the textbooks instead of making students busy making separate notes.
- Active reading techniques should be taught to senior students, explaining key information and salient aspects of text structure, and encouraging them to record information on lesson maps.
Phase Number 3:- After Reading the Textbook
- The moment that pupils finish reading for both class and homework.
- Encourage the student to summaries the lesson in their own words or in writing.
- Have the learner complete the map and be taught to complete the highlighted sections and headings of the map and course material.
- Rereading the stuff you’ve highlighted should be encouraged.
- Questions pertaining to facts and concepts should be presented to the student so that they can accurately respond.
Guidelines for Effective Textbook Method of Teaching
- Textbooks should be utilized to instruct pupils, but they shouldn’t be the only source of information.
- Textbooks should not be regarded as the main source of instruction but rather as a guide.
- One should always be prepared to modify, eliminate, or add to any topic in the textbook.
- There should be other educational resources employed in addition to textbooks.
Why do teachers use Textbooks?
Regardless of the circumstances, the administrators must maintain this new book in front of them and carry out their tasks in the same manner. Understanding the justification for using the book is crucial.
Why has the book become a classroom necessity?
Why do teachers keep books in the classroom?
Examining this, the following reasons emerge:
- For teachers, organizing the preparation of a textbook and delivering the prepared material in the classroom is a very challenging and complex procedure.
- Due to the nature of their job, teachers are unable to make time for book creation because of their busy schedules at school. As a result, they are unable to use self-made teaching materials.
- The third issue is that even if a teacher has free time, he will still be under so much pressure from outside sources that he would not be able to complete the book.
For the three reasons listed above, teachers use textbooks. Each of the briefly discussed explanations is a very plausible interpretation. For student teaching and learning, they can get rid of them by doing so:
- The preparation process can be sped up.
- There may be pre-planned activities available.
- It is possible to develop the relevant academic social circle outside of the classroom through the use of concrete developmental models.
How are textbooks used in classes?
Education experts have described a number of approaches to using textbooks:
- According to several authors, textbooks are only the foundation upon which teachers construct their own.
- According to Alright’s perspective, textbooks not only include teaching methodologies but also serve as a source of teaching ideas and activities.
In light of this context, it may be claimed that hidden content acts as the fundamental framework.
Which educators can adapt based on the requirements of the kids. Such concepts, it seems, describe the ideal circumstance in which books help teachers practice successful instruction, though perhaps not in this perfect case, classroom procedures.
Advantages Textbook Method of Teaching
The textbook approach is still one of the most used, despite the fact that there are many other ways of instruction. It’s straightforward, easy to use, and straightforward. Research has also shown that there are several benefits to using textbooks.
Straightforward Way to Teach:-
Teaching in this manner is really simple. Students can take notes with ease because it is very simple to follow.
Short Amount of Time:-
The textbook method of teaching can be quite effective at covering a lot of content in a short period of time.
Well Defined:
A clearly defined learning process is used in the textbook teaching style.
Textbook Method is Concise:-
The textbook approach to teaching is known for being highly concise. The information that teachers require can be quickly found, and they can be confident that it is correct.
The textbook method is adaptable:
Since the textbook approach is adaptable, it can be used with many educational philosophies.
Effective Method:-
The textbook method of teaching is quite successful. Studies have shown that using a textbook as a teaching tool helps pupils learn more efficiently than other teaching methods.
Affordable:-
The use of textbooks in the classroom is very cost-effective. Textbooks can be used repeatedly and are frequently far less expensive than other educational aids.
Explanation of Objectives:-
Of course, there are books that outline the objectives of the curriculum.
Overall, using a textbook as a teaching tool is easy, efficient, and inexpensive. It is useful in a variety of teaching scenarios and offers several benefits.
Disadvantages Textbook Method of Teaching
The textbook method of teaching has long been popular in classrooms. With this method, the teacher reads from a text while the pupils take notes. Although this method is widely used, it has several disadvantages.
Boring:-
The textbook method has the disadvantage of being quite boring for both the teacher and the students. The majority of the time, the teacher simply reads from the textbook, and the pupils simply take notes. The kids might not pay attention as a result, which could prevent them from learning as much as they could.
Less Engaging:-
There is less interaction between the teacher and the pupils while using the textbook method of teaching. Usually, the pupils are only listening to the teacher’s lecture. Because of this, it could be challenging for the pupils to clarify concepts they don’t grasp by asking questions.
Step down ineffectively:-
The use of textbooks in the classroom can be quite ineffective. The teacher frequently has to invest a lot of time in planning their lectures, and the students frequently have to invest a lot of time in taking notes. This could result in both the teacher and the students not having enough time to fully cover everything and the students not having enough time to genuinely understand the information.
Outdated:-
One of the biggest disadvantages of textbooks is that they can be out of date. Information in textbooks can become outdated quickly, especially in subjects like science and history. This can be a problem for students who are trying to learn current information.
Stressful for Students:-
The textbook method of teaching also has the disadvantage of being quite stressful for students. The rich information in textbooks might make students feel as though they must memorize everything in order to perform well on exams and quizzes. This may result in a great deal of added strain and stress.