Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1901-01-17
PROGRESSIN EDUCATION
Predictions For the New Cen
fury by Noted Educators.
HIGHER GRADE OF TEACHERS.

lEPCu O1bSD III OOnnIuOh SCnOO1S-NCW
ffMethods of Teachins-S1ang Doom
ed to Extinction.
ICopyright, 1900, The Christian Herald, New
York;
Matthew 81. Buckham, president of
SEhe University Of Vermont, writing
about education in the new century,
says:
IA1 would name as the reforms in popu-
par education most to be desired:
First.-The handling of pupils in
smaller groups and with more attention
10 individual needs. The multiplica-
zion Of pupils without a corresponding
Increase in teaching force has resulted
sesip massing children into large classes
S4n which they are taught en- bloc. The
consequence is that the dull, who need
special encouragement, become discour-
aged and drop out, and the bright, not
kept fully occupied, lose interest and
Accomplish lest than Their best. The
5ncademy at West Point gets splendid
Eesults by dividing classes into groups
Ef ten according to ability. This sys-
Bem as of course costly, but the benefits
Df 4 would repay the cost wherever
practicable.
Second-The coming age will insist
Jon a stricter method in the selection Of
Eeachers, a method as effective as that
which in business affairs compels the
zinc. pable man to fail and retire and re-
9tains and rewards the competent
Again, methods of teaching need to
4be better systematized. There are two
kinds Of teachers-those who teach
imainly by inspiring. by awakening in
3terest and enthusiasm, and those who
teach by faithful, painstaking drill.
land there may be said to be two phi
1osophies, or methods of education-the
sinspirational method and the pedagogic
Amethod. Teachers of the first class are
Eare. If a great university has one or
two of them, if a community has one
iof them, let them be thankful and
make the most of their services.
Lastly and most important reform Of
jail, character building will become the
adehnite aim and object of all educa-
kNonal efforts. The school shall be a
snneans of ennobling the Industries, ele-
Nating the callings. purifying the citi-
4Zenship, Of all who come under it's be-
Enign influence.
IS I doubt If the new century is to be as
notable as the last along educational
dimes, says President John Henry Bar
Srows, D. D., Of Oberlin college. The
reforms which are needed in education
4have already been given a start. I ex-
Hpect to see what is after all the great
lest need, a much better equipped class
AOf teachers in our common schools.
There is little possibility of improving
sthe education of the people except
Through the improvement of teachers
fof all grades.
y 1t is plain that the best minds are not
too good for the work of teaching and
training the young. Some of the most
promising material In the nation is
found in the country schoolhouses.
There ought to be a far more general
requirement that teachers have special
Strain1ng in normal methods. The words
.''better teachers ought to be en-
jgraved on the hearts of all school di-
Eectors. To accomplish this result there
must be q more general spirit of liber-
sity, greater wisdom in making appro-.
pirate provision for the support Of
those who are to guide young souls in
sEhe most critical years of life. Give us
Eteachers properly trained, with high
ideals, and they will under careful SUI
Spervision introduce the reforms most
Meeded.
"A system Of instruction based on ra-
tional principles will discard some of
the lumber which Is now used. Many
Ithings are taught which are a waste of
time and strength. But we shall not
get good teachers until successful
{teachers are continued in Office during
4good behavior and efficiency.
The guiding principle of education in
Ghe twentieth century will be genuine
respect for natures indications, writes
GDr. W. G.. B~allantine. The spontane-
fous activities of the child will be stud
led. For example, every boy at a. GER
tair age is in love with tools and if he
can get the use of them spends his play
time in carpentry. This is the time
when he should AVE tools in school
and expert manual training. So each
other subject should float into the boys
life on q wave of natural enthusiasm.
We shall make nature studies the sta
jple work Of the grades. Arithmetic
twill have a very subordinate place and
grammar none at all. Gradually but
i1rresistibly a rational spelling Of the
English language will follow other re-
Gfcrms.
The present condition Of affairs in
the education of deaf mutes is peculiar,
interesting and full Of promise for the
coming century. says President q. M
Gallaudet of Gallaudet college. When
the first permanent schools for the deaf
were established in Germany and
France. two methods were made use