The L'Anse sentinel., 1895-02-02
The Elective System in Educatios.
Continued from first page.)

sffsrt put forth brings shlm nearer his
ideal. He studies, not simply to comply
with prescribed course OF study, but
rather TO satisfy his own wants and
desires. He masters his subjects, not
because he has to, but because he likes
them. When he leaves college. he Il;
not ealy scholar. he is a man.
No restrictions should be found within
!. the province OF education. Whenever
we lay down course OF study, equally
binding upon all, we violate one OF the
fundamental principles in pedagogy.
Not only that, but we violate ose OF
natures laws, which is, that we should
adopt ourselves, as far as possible, to the
nature OF the individual. II Is believed,
when the student enters the college or
university, he Is able by reason OF his
previous training, to decide Tor himself
what line OF work he is best fitted to
pursue, and hence, the college cur
riculum should be flexible enough to
enable him to satisfy his individual
taste. Whenever we impede or restrict
the development of the mind, in what
ever manner it may be done, we not only
commit great injustice against the In.
dividnal. but what is still worse, we de-
prive humanity of the service Of truly
educated mind. Our leading educators
seem to coDjoin in denouncing the idea
Of .cramming" down certain studies 10
order to secure degree or diploma;
not merely to fulfill certain prescribed
conditions, which are equally binding
upon all. but for each individual student
to pursue those branches OF learning
which will bring To him the most sub
stantial results in after life. This Is
what the elective system aims to accom-
plisb. How often do we not find, for
instance, that some Of our very best
students are dissatisfied with higher
mathematics, with Latin, Greek, or phil
osuphy, and yet they are required to
pursue these subjects in order to fulfill
the conditions for graduation. But. do
they really pursue the subjects. or do
the subjects pursue them? However,
very small benefits are derived from
forced labor, indeed. A student will
not master a subject, In the full sense
of the word, unless he likes 1t. Mind
becomes valuable only when 1t Is applied
to that which nature has intended 1t,
To be successful. we must do that which
we like best. This is the secret of sue
cess in life. is also the secret OF scccess
in education. Aggsssiz was great
as a scientist and interpreter Of nature,
bnt he would never. perhaps, have been
known to the world. had he attempted 10
become a master In music or art. Some
one will probably say, 'this is an
extreme case" Probably so, hut this
with numerous other similar cases
elucidates very foiclbly the question
under consideration. The chief value
Of the elective system Is found In the
fact that 1t endeavors to adopt itself
to the taste and natural incina-
tions Of the individual mind. 1t follows
natures laws. One OF our leading edu-
Gators has truthfuliy said:; 1T is the
distinctive merit Of the elective system
that II forces the student to be conscious
of what he Is doing"
Education should fit men for their
true vocation In life. If our colleges
succeed 10 doing this, then indeed wi !
they be doing noble work for the In
dividual and for humanity. All things
arc frought with great dangers. There
is no greater and nobler work than edn-
cation. And yet there is danger that
we fail 10 develop and direct rightly the
energies OF The mind. We are ap. to
train all alike; we fail many times to OBJ
serve natures unyieding laws. 1t mat
ters not how well trained the mind may
be. II not applied to the right thing; it
will not, It cannot. succeed.
We have learned a great lesson, when
we have !earI o1 to know what we can
do best. 1t Is IA terrible thing to live in
ignorance Of what we might be The
elective system of education aims, not
only TO develop the mind, but also direct
1t into the proper channels OF usefulness.
1t is a system, which, when fully under
stood and universally applied, will give
new life and impetus to higher educa-
tion, ard greater and more lasting re-
wards to the educated mind.
Elm LEHRER.