The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-10-13
THE CITY TEACHERS.
EX-U. S. COMMISSIONER OF SCHOOLS
ADDRESSES THEM.
Or. TaImage, of the University,
Speaks on the Laboratory Method
in study and Teaching.

The first general meeting Of the
teachers of this city was held yester-
day in the high school building. and
the attendance was large.
Addresses were delivered by General
John Eaton, ex-United States commits
sioner of schools, and President j. Z.
Talmage of the university
President Millspaugh spoke on the
work of the year, and praised the
teachers for the zeal with which they
have in the past looked after educa-
tional interests intrusted to their care.
and in closing gave general directions
as to the work to be carried on in the
future.
General Eaton. upon being intro
duced, extended his warmest con-
gratulations to the teachers assembled,
relative to the large number in at
tendance, and also to the fine system
OF schools which the city possesses.
The attendance was an index TO him
OF the intense interest manifested in
the various departments of work A
body of teachers, said the speaker, is
! an immense uplift to the cause of ad-
vancement and enlightenment in a
community They in their duties con-
vey the city on it's way with increaS-
ing force to its destiny. Never has
there been such an awakening in edu
cation as at the present day. The
literature; and the numbers of educa-
tional gatherings, and the attendance
upon them is increasing each year.
Words of encouragement were eX-
pressed, and an injunction given to the
effect that every teacher should be a
debtor to his profession.
Dr. Talmage was then introduced.
and spoke on the laboratory methods
n study and teaching.
The speaker declared his intention Of
addressing his remarks to teachers in
general and not to any grade in par
ticular, and of speaking concerning
the teachers profession which he
designated as the profession of study
and of showing others how to study in
the best manner. In common with
every other department of human
activity, the teachers profession is
characterized by a severe and al times
fierce spirit of competition; this was
referred to as a healthful sign showing
as it does that the work of the teachers
is advancing in the estimation of it's
worth. Though some must fall in the
fight and others be left behind in the
race giving place to Drawer and
swifter workers, the true teacher loves
his profession more than himself and
reJOsceS IN us announcements OllE
when cOmpe tition takes the form of
selfish rivalry is it to be dreaded.
The term modern educatiOn' is of
particular significance in this fast age;
what was new yesterday is old today,
and what now is novel may in few
years be regarded as a monument of
mistakes and incompleteness. Care
must be exercised lest this craze for
the new may cause US to make but
superficial appearances of newness and
to throw away many good things be-
fore they have been fully and fairly
tried. Change of itself may be hurt
full, unsettling as it does our methods
of work
Briefly stated, the laboratory method
is a method of experiment and prac-
tee In it's extreme form it leads to
the discarding of text books and the
substitution of practical work. While
best exemplified in the teching of ma
tural and physical sciences, it 1irAts
application in every branch of study.
In grammar practical composition
takes the place of the study of rules;
in arithmetic instruments are Used for
measurements and calculations; in
geography the student works out OF
doors. etc. Its unskilful use has led to
many poor results so that 1t is IN
danger of coming into disrepute.
a number or eXcellehI mus. ie''iou9
we're used proving the danger III carry
ing too far the principle of letting the
student do everything for himself. The
discoyerer is a genius and it is TN
reasonable to expect that every student
should be of this select type. Needless
trouble in study should be avoided.
There will be difficulty enough even if
the teacher attempts to advance with
his pupils along the line of least resist
ance The collating OF material; the
classification of clippings, scraps,
notes, and all items of general informa-
ton constitute the laboratory work
demanded of every teacher. AS has
been said the laboratory is the vesti-
bule to the temple of knowledge, and il
rquires that all who would enter the
more sacred precincts must offer their
sacrifices at the entrance.