The Chemical Education Journal (CEJ), Vol. 9, No. 2 (Serial No. 17). The date of issue: January 30, 2007./Registration No. 9-11/Received January 24, 2005.
URL = http://www.juen.ac.jp/scien/cssj/cejrnlE.html

The Various Functions of Inscriptions in Korean Textbooks


JaeYoung Han

School of Science Education (Chemistry), Chungbuk National University, 12 Gaeshin-dong, Heungduk-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, South Korea 361-763,


E-mail: jyhannnchungbuk.ac.kr;

Abstract:

The function of inscription should be analyzed on the basis of its relationship with text and caption. Four kinds of functions were reported: decorative, illustrative, explanatory and complementary (Pozzer, & Roth, 2003). These functions will influence reader's interpretation of such inscriptions. Korean chemistry texts have many questions posed and (experimental) activities described, both of them include various kinds of inscriptions. Analyses of chemical inscriptions in Korean science textbooks revealed that the categories of functions need to be refined with more subcategories: the illustrative function includes subcategories of example in question and procedure and apparatus in activity; the complimentary function includes subcategories of essential in question and material and result in activity. In addition, new kind of function was found: the worksheet function. Cross-national researchers need to pay attention to specific cultural characteristics when comparing textbooks across countries.

Body of the text

TopCEJv9n2CEJ Vol. 9, No. 2, Contents