[Resolved] [Merged] Using an outdated textbook

[Stew_822]

Hi,

I have Heinemann Chemistry 2 4th edition which is "designed to support the 2007-2011 study design." Is there a significant difference between the study designs so that I should update my book to the latest edition? In the same vein, is earlier editions of A+ notes going to cause me grief?

I have posted similar threads in Physics, biology and further maths. I have had a look at the summary of changes in the study design but it's way above my head. I'm hoping someone out there has already checked this and can give me a yes or no answer so I don't have to trawl through the documents.

Thanks for any input,
Stewart

[Stew_822]

Hi,

I don't have a textbook yet, but the one the booklist says to get is the Heinemann Physics 12 Third Edition. It doesn't say "Enhanced" and so I'm assuming it's for the 2009-2012 study design. I can probably get it cheap. Is there a significant difference between the Third Edition and the Enhanced version so that I should spend the extra money (I'm assuming about ~$40 more) on the enhanced edition? Would the 2009-2012 A+ Notes still be any good, or should I purchase the newer edition?

I have posted similar threads in Chemistry, biology and further maths. I have had a look at the summary of changes in the study design and they don't look too different but I'm not very experienced and would like to hear your input.

Cheers
Stewart

[Stew_822]

Hello,

I have two textbooks for biology, "Nature of Biology 2" and "Heinneman Biology 2." I also have Checkpoints, I think the 2012 one, but I've heard having an outdated checkpoints is good as they don't have the latest exams (can save them for later). Would you guys recommend A+ notes, or is that overkill? If  so, should I get the newer edition or save money on the older one?
(dunno if you can guess but I ain't that rich)

I was looking at the summary of changes and there appears to be a great deal of re-wording. I can't really buy any updated textbooks but I was wondering if anybody had any specific advice for what to watch out for. ie. new things that my textbooks won't cover & old things that I no longer need to learn. Or if you think I really do need an updated textbook I could buy one. I am aiming to do very well in biology.

Specifically, the summary of changes lists:
"applications of molecular biology in medicine including the design of drugs and in medical diagnosis"
as being "Deleted."
I'm assuming this means I can skip doing the questions in that chapter in my textbook? I've already read it.

Thanks for your time,
Stewart

[hongkyho]

Hey there!

I cannot comment on the other subjects, but when I did Physics last year, I used the third 'non-enhanced' editions and it was fine. As I understand, the only changes to the curriculum was the removal of dot points in the study designs and changes to how they marked you throughout the year (i.e. one detailed study instead of two, etc). Quoting from a presentation from VCAA, 'Changes to the study design have been made with the intention that teachers may continue to use existing teaching and learning resources', so using any of the resources you listed should be fine.

In terms of the textbook, the changes that I noticed (going from 'non-enhanced' to 'enhanced') was some changes in format and the removal of irrelevant content and diagrams.

I do suggest you pay attention to what has been omitted. As it is, Heinemann is a detailed textbook and you don't really want to be focusing on things you will not be examined on. Off the top of my head, Heinemann goes into the transistors area a lot more than the Year 12 study design does. Interesting to read, but unnecessaary to learn.

Hope this helped!

[Stew_822]

Thank you so much, that is exactly what I was looking for!

I'll continue with purchasing the cheaper textbook then and look out for the transistors. It's stuff like this that really bogs you down when studying, trying to figure out what you actually need to learn and what you don't.

Such a lifesaver!

Many many thanks,
Stewart

[lzxnl]

When I did VCE physics, I saw lots of bits that didn't occur to me as quickly as other parts of the course did. Then, I realised that those more difficult bits were off the course. If you find something that seems...more challenging to you, check the study design to see if it's actually on the course. Transistors as mentioned aren't on the course. Neither is most of the interesting maths like having a proper gravitational potential energy formula.

[Stew_822]

Thanks,

I will keep an eye out for harder things. It's disappointing that the textbooks don't stick strictly to the curriculum. I have a very good physics teacher so hopefully he will have a sense of what we need to know and what we don't, but I'll definitely check the study design if something seems harder (read: if I can't be bothered learning it )

I really appreciate all of your help, hopefully I can help someone else next year.

Cheers,
Stewart

[PB]

You might want to get the latest editions of study guides, so that you don't waste time doing irrelevent questions. But for textbook, the edition you got should be fine - the most significant change Heinemann publishers provide is slapping a capital ENHANCED on the front cover in an effort to maintain the sales of their books.

[shadows]

4th edition for Heinemann chem is the latest I think. Our school is still using that one so I think you will be fine!
If there is another newer edition I think the questions would be the same (or maybe removal of irrelevant things...)

[Stew_822]

You might want to get the latest editions of study guides, so that you don't waste time doing irrelevent questions. But for textbook, the edition you got should be fine - the most significant change Heinemann publishers provide is slapping a capital ENHANCED on the front cover in an effort to maintain the sales of their books.

Yeah that's what I thought!

Alright thanks, that's a huge relief, I won't worry about it too much then!

Cheers,
Stewart

[cute]

When using an outdated textbook, I find the best thing is to go to the school library, find the current edition and just spend a few hours making notes of different question numbers and removed/added information. It shouldn't be too much, but just some locations and pages may have changed making it a little hard to follow in class without this prior preparation.

[Stew_822]

When using an outdated textbook, I find the best thing is to go to the school library, find the current edition and just spend a few hours making notes of different question numbers and removed/added information. It shouldn't be too much, but just some locations and pages may have changed making it a little hard to follow in class without this prior preparation.

Thanks, I'll definitely do that.

My main concern was that the textbook might not cover some aspects of the new study design.

Cheers,
Stewart