Consider the audience that will be using your textbook. For larger schools it may be hard to choose a textbook based on the individual needs of each student, as classes are often large and filled with diverse learners. However, if you are a homeschool instructor or private tutor, you should consider the unique interests and needs of your individual students when comparing textbooks.
Determine the basic bibliographical information, such as the author, title and publication date. This information can be useful when making comparisons, especially if you have compared and used a lot of different textbooks. For example, knowing the author of a textbook may help you grasp the book's style from other experiences you've had with textbooks by that author. The publication date is important to compare in order to make sure that you are getting a book that is full of current information.
Research the content of the textbook. Examine how the content is displayed for students; think about how many pictures and diagrams are used in the books and whether they are accurately described to help students learn. Consider how in-depth the textbook goes into the content.
Think about the values that are important to you and your teaching style. For example, consider how many times the book asks your students to turn to their calculator to help them come up with an answer. If you do not want students relying upon a calculator, use this finding to help you determine which textbook is best. You should also consider whether answers are given and examples worked out throughout the textbooks.