The record-union., 1891-09-01
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION - WHAT
1T Is.

1T Is.
University extension, concerning which
there is just now so much said and
printed, is a more advanced system of
the Chautauqua plan Of self-education.
Professor Willis Boughton Of the Ohio
State University describes the latter as
elementary, while university. extension
means specific direction, whereas the
Chautauqua system leaves the student to
his own, often misdirected efforts, with
little chance of his coming into per-
sonal contact with the experienced edu-
Gator and specialists But university ex-
tension plans courses of study, directs.
and supervises and tests the work Of the
students as well.
In order to do this it employs lecturers,
issues syllabi, the class, the travelling Ii
brary, and the examination. The lecturers
are always college-bred and specialists,
and most of them are actively engaged in
teaching in colleges and universities.
That this new, here, and already popular
movement has behind it some of the
oldest and best trained men of the leading
colleges and universities OF America and
England, is guaranty of its worth, and
that it is not an ephemeral thing or q
mere craze. 1t proves, by the wide ac-
ceptance it has among the people, that
there is much larger love for learning
than has been supposed; that the exten-
sion classes already formed embrace men
from shop, forge, desk and loom, coun-
ter and exchange, proves that there is an
ambition to cultivate brain, greater and
better than the age has been given credit
for.
Concerning the method employed Pro-
fessor Boughton, writing in the Are7aa,
says: "The work of the lecturer arranges
itself into unit courses. The unit course
consists Of series of six related lectures,
so arranged that they will cover definite
field of study. As extension students are
the busy people Of the world, these lee
lures occur only at intervals Of one week,
thus giving the student time for the extra
reading and study that he is asked to do.
a unit course, then, will cover a period
of six weeks, and four unit courses, ex-
tending over a period of twenty-four
weeks, constitute an extension year. 1t
is superauous to attempt to estimate how
much the earnest, solitary student may
accomplish in year through the assist
ance and the impetus thus given his
efforts. Much, however, depends upon
the personal effort of the student, and the
syllabus is intended to direct his private
study"
This syllabus is a prepared outline of a
unit course, and forms the skeleton for
the Students work. 1t recalls and elabor-
ates the points made in each lecture; it
gives comprehensive list of reference
books and suggests lines of research. 1t
outlines the Students paper work, and
directs him how TO write upon the sub
ject. The class follows the lecture, and is
conducted by the lecturer. He hears
questions and propounds them: he OK
amines the work of the students and crit
icises it. The scheme embraces also the
use by isolated students of books from
libraries necessary to aid him, at cost a
little in excess of the cost of transporta-
ton. Finally comes the examination
which is, however, optional, and there
fore need not Tighten the timid
To introduce university extension those
desiring it meet and organize as a local
club and then relate it to some one of the
great universities engaged in extension
work. \ guarantee fund is raised and
the work begins. At first there will be
a large audience; as lectures progress
and study demands little time the mum
Der of participants viii thin out and
when the year is concluded the remain
ing number will be but handful, but ii
will be timber worth the work.
So widespread and sincere is the desire
for university extension that far-seeing
and public-spirited men, realizing that il
is a movement of great importance and
one of permanency, have organized g
National or Central Association, with DIR.
Pepper of the University of Pennsylvania
at It's head. Its purpose is to devise and
ascertain the best methods; to advise and
counsel local organizations. 1t has gath
cred by observation from the quarter of 9
century of experience in university ex.
tension in England, and enables exten-
sion workers in this country to profit
thereby. 1t publishes monthly journal
in order more readily to reach them and
aids universities and colleges in getting
into the work.
We have carefully, and with circum
spection, examined the whole scheme o
extension work in this country as pre-