Analyzing textbooks: a methodological strategy in the initial training of education professionals

<p>Textbook remains the most used resource in the classroom and its role has been decisive in shaping school practice as we know it today. Because of that its study is exceptionally useful in the initial training of education professionals.</p> <p>During two academic years (2012-13 and 13-14), we have implemented a formative task of analyzing textbooks in the subject of “Analysis and design of materials for education and formation” in third course of the degree of Pedagogy in the University of Oviedo. It has allowed us to analyze from a theoretical - practical perspective, questions such as: paper of teachers in the development and innovation of curriculum, paper of publishing companies in the interpretation of official curriculum, analysis of pedagogical tasks and messages, criteria to judge the didactic quality of materials and so on. The qualitative analysis of thirty reports written by 120 students about textbooks, has allowed us to identify their main strengths and weaknesses in several aspects (formal aspects, methodology, messages and implications for teaching profession) and allows us to conclude that it is a relevant formative experience in the initial training of any education professional.