What is the role of textbooks in education?

 The importance of textbooks, to both the teachers and the pupils. As we know that textbook is a specially written book that contains selective and systematic knowledge. All sorts of care are taken for coherence and sequence. 

It is always kept simple to the degree that suits the intended learner it is not merely about the statement of knowledge but is armed with a variety of teaching-learning aids to fulfill the desired instructional needs whether it is the textbooks or audio-visual devices all are used for practice, application, motivation, and fixation of learning. 

That's why generally textbooks are known to be “the teacher in print” the textbooks are very much different from ordinary looks textbooks are the most common diameters that are frequently found in the classroom throughout the world. The textbooks contain within them teaching learning and motives. 

The consensus of educationists reveal not only in India but abroad also reveals that textbooks are an essential part of the education system. According to (CABE) “A modern educational system without a textbook is as difficult to imagine, as Hamlet without the title 'Prince of Denmark '. A well-chosen textbook can always be a useful adjunct to the efforts of teachers and the reassurance of the students.

Now the need and  importance of textbooks for teachers can be understood in the following points  -:

a) It opens many doors of opportunities to understand the descriptive form of various topics and helps to understand each and everything clearly 

b) A teacher can plan his daily teaching routine with the help of textbooks it also provides new ideas to make the learning experience good.

c) The Introduction regarding  the subject matter  can already be prepared to make the concept  clear to the students 

d) The textbooks have got subject material of the particular class so the teacher has got aware of those limitations that have to opt for a specific class.

e) The teacher can persuade the students to go through the selected topics the way it is required. 

f) It is the textbooks that help the teacher to organize or choose the learning methods according to the needs of the hour. It can help to gain the instructional objectives of teaching. 

g) Valuable knowledge and information can be collected from different sources of information and readily available in a textbook. All the information can be collected, and in a systematic and well-organized way, it is provided to the pupils. 

h) It has been seen that all teachers are not in a position to find out the facts regarding important topics so textbooks make the reach possible to particular points.

i) The textbooks ensure some sort of uniformity of good standards.

Utility of the Textbooks to the Students -:

Utility of the Textbooks to the Students -: Textbooks can solve many issues . from the student's point of view textbooks not only save their time but the students are saved from writing everything in a notebook. So the spare time can be invested to improve the performance in other activities.

   In the following points it can be understood -:

  1) Since every textbook contains solved exercises to make them understand in a better way. It helps a lot in solving unsolved exercises.

  2) Textbooks help  the  students with well-graded exercises and provide different exercises for drill and revision

  3) In case students remain absent for a long time due to some or other reasons then the textbooks can help them out.

  4) If the students are unable to understand or any confused then they can go through sane pages of textbooks for that specific  topic to get a clear idea .

  5) If the students wish to learn things in advance textbooks are there to make this wish fulfill.

  Characteristics of Good Textbooks-; 

The teachers, as well as the students both get benefitted from the textbooks during the teaching-learning process. When teachers can prepare the introduction of subject material and students can revise or learn or understand the topic  in advance. So the selection of good textbooks becomes a priority and it is the responsibility of a teacher to make the right decision. 

  A) It should have well-graded problems for revision

  B) The correlation of subject matter with its solved or unsolved exercises  ,   other activities of a topic, and the practical work should be well connected.

  C) The printing and the cover should be attractive.

  D) It is expected that it should be written by experienced teachers.

  E) All forms of questions should be part of the textbook, for instance, short, very short, objectives,  and essay type.

  F) Hints at the difficult topic should be given to the students it can help in the proper review of the issues

  G) These books should be written  in a way that makes the students aware of the Strengths and weaknesses

  H) Intellectual capacity of students can be awakened so this point should never be ignored when making selections or writing books.

While teachers often whine that their students seem to do very little thinking. Sometimes the same become visible in those educators who simply follow the new concepts and understand the significance of opinions. The teachers who are contributing to the new ideas by framing or revising their point of view on different aspects are considered the real worth. They also deserve to be strived to. 

They Know the level of students and the things which should be part of the textbook. Whenever new things introduce teachers and students should understand the significance of innovative ideas. The new trend expects participation and contribution from experienced and mature teachers. The subject material must be made given the intelligence and reasoning power of students.