REVIEW TEXT BOOK

TITLE: MATHEMATICS FORM 4

AUTHORS: LIM SWEE HOCK

KOO SENG HER

CHONG GEOK CHUAN
DR PUMADEVI
SAMADI BIN HASHIM

EDITORS: YOW YOON LI
YEW CHIAN-HAUO

In our education system, teaching and learning process basically rely on the textbook that are guided by the ministry of education. The text books are important to ensure the learning outcomes are successfully achieved by the students and the teachers. How to proof that is the text book are really relevant nowadays in school. In this case, we choose one of the text books (stated above) and analyze in several aspect such as an organization, content and physical aspect.

Firstly we have to discuss the organization in this text book. The table of the contents is well-arrange and user friendly to the students. It is not complicated and it stated the title of the topic and subtopic also the page. The glossary is very effective and fascinating and also orderly by alphabet. The explanation in the glossary is short and complete. In addition, for further information, we can use an index as guided. In one page, the index has covered the entire topic.

We can identify the weakness of organization this book. Obviously, the content layouts are not uniformly appearance throughout the book as well as within in each chapter. For example, some colored but some not and it just use one color that is blue. It does not attractive the students. The references of this book are not relevant anymore. In this millennium era, the book that publish in 1955 are not up to date. Statistically, six of the fourteen books that are referred was publish before 1980. That is mean 42.86% of reference are not really applicable.

This book has a good approach by make an introduction in each chapter. An introduction started with the relationship between the lesson and daily life. For instance, the career that related with the statistic. The chapter summary is presented in form of concept map which not only gives students an overview of the whole chapter but also acts as a quick revision guide. Besides, the checklists that are given help the students to assess what they have learnt. All the pages numbered in a sequence to ensure that the students are not confusing when use it.

Second aspect that we have to discuss is the content of the book. The curriculums in our education system are standardized and the content of the text book should be achieving the standard either in local or national. The content of this book achieve the standard because it is used by all the form 4 students (at WP Putrajaya area) in school. We could not deny that the contents are accurate and up-to-date. The examples are given with the explanation in step by step to ensure the students get better understanding. The author tried to help the student in order to achieve what is meant to be delivered. Additionally, this book used appropriate language to all students and it is explain clearly without grammatically error.

To enhance the student’s skills, there are including the skills practice in each of subtopic. Summative exercises are given under skills review to consolidate understanding and application of concept of learns. There are also have the enrichment activity seeks to expand students’ learning experiences by training the student to use ICT in mathematics, to carry out group projects, and to solve non routine problem. The smart tips are given to enhance the understanding of the students. It emphasizes the point that students should be aware with. The answers are provided for each question and it will help the students a lot. This book has potential to be used in several years because the contents are consistent in our curriculum.

Without notice, the way the contents are represent are based on Bloom’s taxonomy. In beginning of the chapter, it gives the basic knowledge, then test the comprehension by do the question. To persuade the critical thinking of the students, the students are provided with the problematic question. In Bloom’s taxonomy, this stage is approaching the analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Based on it, this book shows that the authors try to change the way of teaching so that the lesson are more effectively and efficiently.

Third aspect that we have to discuss is physical aspect. Generally , the book is applicable to the students because the size and the weight are relevant to bring it. Besides, this book is using high quality of paper, and also cover durable plus shipshape of the binding. There are several weaknesses in term of physical aspect. Firstly, the page layout too crowded with the information even though it is useful. The students who are slow learner might be not interested with this book. Then, there are no spaces between lines to line so that the students will be bored. For example, in answers sheet, it make student confuse to find out the answer because there no spacing between it. Secondly, the formats of font are not really attractive although some part will be bold to distinguish it. The pattern of font is static, just in index the book use the italic font. Then, the fonts are not colored. As we know, the color will stimulate the brain to think. So, if many pages of the book in white and black color, it does not encourage the performance of the student.

Normally, the weakness will covered by the strength. This book also has strength so that it could be the text book in the school. The illustration and figures are related to the lesson. It has their own purpose to paste the picture and relevant to the students. The graph will draw accurately in graph paper. This is will help the effect of the lesson reach the maximum level.

In conclusion, overall this book is good in terms of the content but have to improve some part such as the physical aspect and organization. The editor should be aware of the weakness so that this book would be the best book as reference. In personal view, this book is good for the teachers and the students because we do not need the other book as reference.