Describe the textbook as a material used in teaching Religious Education

A textbook can be defined as a standard book especially designed to communicate a specific
body of knowledge to a specific group of learners. It is written for a particular subject for a
particular time
Its importance to teaching R.E information cannot be underestimated because of these reasons:

1) They spell out and interpret the syllabus by identifying relevant information which
relates to the syllabus objectives and content
2) They provide a uniform selected and organized body of knowledge on the syllabus
content (topics and sub-topics)
3) They assist the teacher in daily lesson preparation in giving assignment, organizing class
activities and providing further readings to the learners thus reinforcing learning
4) They furnish a permanent record to the learners, making it easier for an individual to
check and recheck what the writer has said thus improving performance
5) They could be used for individualized learning especially where teachers are in short
supply ; individualizing instruction enables learners to proceed at their own pace
6) They assist the teacher in teaching. This has led to some educators describing them as
“assistant master in print”.
7) The format and style of a well-written and well illustrated text can increase children?s
motivation to learn as new concepts are built upon what has proceeded
8) They enable the learners to develop certain skills e.g. note-making, critical thinking data
analysis and imagination.
9) They are economical because they can be used and re-used for their cost per student is
quite low

Criteria for textbook selection
The teacher should choose a class text against the criteria below
1) The relevancy of the text book to the curriculum objectives of teaching of R.E
2) The accuracy of information conveyed. This is determined by the authenticity
competency and background of the writer
3) Content coverage as per syllabus which is well explained and free from bias, and
controversy
4) Proper arrangement of content which include; an information table of content, glossary,
complete and detailed index and bibliography
5) Suitability of the language used in relation to the class or group to be taught. It should be suitable in style, vocabulary and sentence construction (simple and short)
6) Attractive and stimulating illustration which should include devices that aid past learning
such as illustrations and pictures to avoid monotony of print. The illustrations such a
pictures ,sketches, maps ,diagrams and time charts should be correct, authentic, purposeful and appropriately placed in the textbook with proper size and suitably captioned
7) Clarity and readability of print: it should be easy to read, the type ,face pleasing with
enough spacing between words, line and paragraphs. The paper should be good and the
binding strong
8) It must provide a variety of thought-provoking activities and exercises for the learners at
the end of each chapter. These activities and exercises should be appropriate for both
gifted and slow learners and promote the spirit of inquiry and motivate students for
further study in religious related issues
9) The price must be affordable.

Effective utilization of a Religious Education Textbook
For effective utilization of the texts at whichever level the teacher should do the following:
(1) Familiarize himself or herself with the textbook. After identifying a topic covered in the
textbook, the teacher should read and understand it and look for same topics in other
reference books available in the library.
(2) Add reality to textbook information by using teaching aids, examples and explanations
which are not the same as those in textbook.
(3) Rearrange the order of topic if you think it is desirable adapting it to the learners and
their needs.
(4) Use only those parts of the text that seem to be relevant. Skip the other parts.
(5) Use the textbook for reference purpose during a lesson or a series of lessons.
(6) Study pictures, maps, diagrams, sketches and particular passages and build lessons
around them. They can form a basis for class discussion.
(7) Use the textbook when you want to develop critical thinking by encouraging critical
reading, thinking and testing for logic, and bias. The teacher can show learners that
writers disagree sincerely by allowing them to compare the text with source materials.
(8) Use of textbooks when discussing controversial issues. discuss with the students the
views held by different people and sources (books)where these arguments could be
found
(9) Use it to explain unfamiliar terms
(10) Use it to develop writing styles e.g. Writing of stories ,poems on social issues
(11) Incorporate the textbook into multimedia teaching strategy i.e. use it with other
materials and methods
(12) Use assignments in the text books as follow –up activities after the lesson
considering different abilities for note-making
(13) Evaluate the effectiveness of the textbook by finding out whether it has met
religious education objectives and the needs of the learners ,the teachers and parents

Limitations of textbooks in teaching and learning of R.E
Textbooks have the following shortcomings:
1) Some of them provide sketchy information on important topics and this
disadvantages readers who sorely depend on them
2) When overused they replace the instructor classroom
3) Textbooks predigest material and so deny the learners the need to think organize and
arrive at independent conclusions
4) They encourage note-learning
5) Sometimes the textbooks represent the views of the author or government of the day
thus indoctrinating the learners
6) Textbooks are pre-planned and do not meet the varied abilities of a typical class. The
class members usually move together as if they are of the same ability thus ignoring
individual differences. They treat too many topics, present too many ideas too fast to
be absorbed within a given
7) Textbooks are usually not written in readable form .rarely do students comment on
the excitement and vigor of a textbook as they might on the qualities of a motion
picture or a recording
8) Textbooks are hard to keep up-to-date. In some topics the material is out of date by the
time the book appears in the market and it takes time before it is revised.

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Titany answered the question on November 2, 2021 at 07:26