Investigaciones en libros de texto: Logros pasados, desarrollo actual y desafíos futuros. La mirada de un investigador del Georg Eckert Institut

Textbook research: Past achievements, current developments, future challenges: A Georg Eckert Institut researcher's view

Abstract

Recent decades have seen dynamic developments in the field of textbook and educational media production offering new perspectives and possibilities for textbook research. One source of inspiration for such new possibilities might be a systematic synthesis of the current state of international textbook research. The recently published Palgrave Handbook of Textbook Studies, edited by Eckhardt Fuchs and Annekatrin Bock, represents an attempt to meet this objective. Inspired, then, by the Handbook’s approach, this paper outlines new topics explored and approaches taken by textbook research over recent decades. Alongside a discussion of the growing significance of textbook collections as sources for researchers and teachers alike, it will advance the argument that our societies would do well to afford greater recognition and value to textbook research. In conclusion, this paper advocates transnational cooperation between textbook researchers and educators and calls for increased awareness of issues surrounding school textbook production in the practical policy arena.