• How does your textbook stand up in today's crowded market?books image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
  
  Every few years educators face the task of selecting their department's textbooks. They have a variety of choices with all the latest technological advances; CD-ROMs, DVDs, website supplementary materials and many other models compete with the traditional stand-alone textbook and workbook model. Those ambitious teachers who volunteer for the selection committee must come to those meetings with a concrete strategy and a list of priorities in selecting a textbook that will meet the academic needs of both teachers and students.
  
  

Content Check

• Make a list of concepts that must be taught according to the state standards of your subject and grade level. Compare this list to the table of contents in the new textbook. Notice the order of presentation as well. You may prefer a textbook that does not wait unit the eighth chapter to present a concept you consider foundational. Also look at the depth and extent of coverage the book gives to various concepts in the curriculum. Select the book that presents the content in the order and with the priorities of your department.
  
  

Readability and Visual Appeal

• Notice as you read a sample of a chapter how the colors and the formatting of the page affect your eyes. Notice if the page creates confusion, or if it is well organized and easy on the eyes. Pay attention to the choices of fonts and sizes of headings, captions and page titles. Ask yourself if it contains enough variety of textual techniques to keep the reader interested.
  
  

Accessories Check

• Make a list of added features and accessories offered by competing publishers. Survey your department as to the probability that they would in fact use those accessories if they were available. It is not worth the time or money to have a certain technological accessory that the faculty do not intend to use. On the other hand if having the book on CD-ROM for each student would make the course more successful, then you should treat that as a priority.