Research on geography textbooks in Italy

Italian geographers, including those eminent in the field, have always recognised the importance of school textbooks as a way to convey valid scientific concepts and principles, but recently they seem not to think it necessary to participate directly in the production of teaching materials. The research on handbooks mainly consists in some comparative evaluations of such books and in the identification of formalities in order to enhance desirable ways of using them. Some experimental research, and more order and rigour in conducting and describing research would be desirable, as well as a general project to undertake the systematic collection of research data on textbooks nationally; this is probably impossible without the substantial cooperation of university geographers, yet only a change in attitudes inside universities will enable university geographers to take part in a full programme of such research.