Why it’s time to abandon the textbook

By Kit Chapman2022-01-18T06:29:00

An illustration of a tiny many using a detonator to blow up a pile of giant books

Source: © Gary Waters/Ikon Images

Biases, dated content and student disinterest mean it’s time to find course materials online, argues Kit Chapman

Textbooks are outmoded and don’t reflect the diversity of those involved in science, says science journalist Kit Chapman in this opinion article. He believes textbooks no longer have a place in chemistry teaching and argues for their replacement in the classroom.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.