Kennslubókum

Kennslubókum are educational books used as core teaching resources in schools and other educational settings. They provide subject-specific information, explanations, examples, and activities designed to support instruction and student learning. Textbooks are typically organized into chapters or units and are aligned with curricula at the national or local level.

Common components include learning objectives, key terms, diagrams and illustrations, worked examples, practice exercises, summaries, glossaries, and indexes. Many also include teacher's guides, answer keys, and online supplementary materials. In language and literacy, they may integrate reading passages, vocabulary work, and comprehension questions; in mathematics and science, they provide problems and experiments.

Formats and access: Textbooks can be printed, digital, or hybrid. Digital versions often offer interactive features, automatic updates, search tools, and accessibility options such as adjustable text size and screen-reader compatibility. Distribution may be through school licenses, publisher platforms, or open educational resources.

Role and evaluation: Textbooks aim to provide a coherent, sequenced learning path that supports instruction and assessment. Selection processes typically consider alignment with standards, curricular coherence, cost, and ease of use. Schools may adopt a core set of kennslubókum and periodically review or replace titles as curricula change.

In Iceland, kennslubókum is the standard term for textbooks; the national curriculum outlines learning outcomes across subjects, and publishers provide materials to match these requirements. Increasing use of digital platforms and open resources accompanies ongoing efforts to improve access and inclusivity.