Reflection on "textbook"

 I believe the existence of textbooks helps to standardize teaching content and maintain consistency across classrooms. They serve as an important reference point for both teachers and students, ensuring that key mathematical ideas are taught systematically. Many textbooks also include well-designed tasks and real-world connections, which can help students see the relevance of mathematics beyond abstract symbols. Additionally, textbooks provide a rich problem bank that supports practice and reflection, allowing students to consolidate and deepen their understanding.

As both a teacher candidate and a former student, I see mathematics textbooks as valuable tools that have shaped much of how we learn and teach mathematics. When I think back to my own experience as a student, I used textbook as a tool that can provide a sense of what to learn and step-by-step examples. However, from a teacher's perspective, i realize that textbook can offer structure and guidance, at the same time, it should not dominate the learning experience. As Herbel-Eisenmann and Wagner suggest, how textbooks use language and images can shape how students view themselves in relation to mathematics, however, it sometimes also limiting creativity for students. Therefore, teachers have the responsibility to use textbooks critically and flexibly.

During my short practicum, I noticed that my SAs did not strictly follow the textbook. Instead, they used it as a reference, adjusting the order of chapters and integrating other materials to better fit students’ needs. With digital tools, inquiry-based teaching was often delivered through exploration, discussion, and personalization, which allowing students to take more initiative in their learning.