Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-03-08
EXTENDING EDUCATION.

The Universlfy Idea and the Rock Islnnd
Centres Plans.
The Rock Island University Ex-|
tension Centre has been now fully in
corporated with list of IS members
and the following officers:
President-George L. Leslie.
Vice President-idiss Anna Kirk
patrick
Secretary-Miss J. V. Williams.
Treasurer-J. F. Robinson.
An important meeting is to be held
this evening of the Centre at Y. NJ. C.
A. chapel, when papers are to be read
as follows: university Extension
from the Lawyers Standpoint" M.
L. Sweeney; IA Century of Ameri-
can History" Principal George L.
Leslie, of the Rock Island High school.
Advantages of University Extension.
The advantages of university ex-
tension were fully and comprehen-
sively set forth in recent paper read
before the Center by Mrs. c. L. East
man. OF the Rock Island High School
corps of teachers, on university Ex-
tension from the Teachers Stand
point, and which is here published by
request:
Among the Greeks the sympo-
SUM. drinking party, usually fol-
lowed the dinner, as the Greeks did
not drink at meals. We have had
the dinner, most appetizing and well
served by MIR. Leslie, the feast of
reason-now follows the symposium.
the flow of soul. As the beverage
used among the Greeks was usually
wine diluted with water, seldom pure
wine. SO !, perforce, must offer you
my draught diluted-in fact. quite
weak. But as those ancients de-
pended upon the intellectual and
agreeable conversation to heighten
their enjoyment, SO may we antici-
pate our greatest pleasure in the dis
cussion that is to follow. A sympo-
SUM, in a recent use, as we employ
it this evening, is collection of
short articles or opinions by several
writers or speakers upon various as
poets of given question.
am to consider university ex-
tension from the teachers stand
point. 1t seems to me that this
movement has as many arms as
Briareus extending to uplift all pro-
fessions. all callings. those in all
walks of life, but that it is most val
liable, most necessary to the teacher
that he may be qualified to instruct
those with whom entrusted. And
this he seems to realize, for il we
glance over an audience of those at
tending these lectures. we observe
that large part of it is composed OF
teachers who. by the attitude as
sumed toward the subject, indicate
their feeling that it is specially for
them. They are there for business,
not only giving careful attention to
the matter treated that the greatest
benefit be derived therefrom. but for
hints and suggestions upon teaching
itself, through observance of the man.
ner of presentation of theme-to note
for imitation, or to mark for avoid
ance. A recent writer has said
that there is great need in our schools
of properly trained and educated
teachers; that most of them are in
telligent and conscientious, but in
com petent because of a meagreness
in their education. The only means
available for the present to supply
this need of broader education is the
| popular lecture course such as the
university extension provides, which
, will certainly secure valuable results
if its plan be conscientionsly fol-
! lowed, namely: First, systematic
J course of lectures upon set subject
closely following a carefully pre-
|. pared syllabus, which should be in
the hands of all interested; second, a
series of exercises of corresponding
r number upon topics elaborated;
,, third. essays upon allied subjects;
. fourth. collateral reading; fifth. ex'
: animation upon points developed
in lecture. and upon collateral
reading. In arranging the course
specification in the interests Of
, teachers should be Fundamental
principle and subjects most useful t.
them be the ones discussed. For ex.
ample, The Study of English. it,
Literature and Composition" would
prove valuable to all instructors il
whatever branch of instruction. o
! what incalculable benefit to thu
teacher of botany. physiology anc
zoology would be an illustrated
course in biology, and we're civics t.
be treated by an able hand new en-
; thusiasm would be impaired to tn,
handling of that subject.
In maintaining NV standpoint. tn,
teachers. in this exhibition of kaleido
. scopic views Of university extension
cannot sufficiently emphasize thi'
direct good to accrue to the teacher
from one better equipped. .
specialist who brings with him tn,
advantages of the university. An in
structor may have a line of worl
with which engrossed. and may thinl
he makes his work as valuabl,
as is the extent of his capacity
yet without outside stimulus is mo-
urged on to his best effort. Through
such a movement as the one we ar,
. considerinC his horizon il broadene(