Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-07-25

rather than merely living with them.
Literary clubs, reading rooms and
libraries in which every individual
should be persuaded TO work co operat.
lively will promote the social nature of
the community.
The Philosophy of the Theory of the
School bs a Social Centre, was discussed
by John Dewey head Of the department
of Philosophy and Education in the
University of Chicago.
Professor Dewey says there is de.
mand for wider scope 10 the schools
for something more than mere intellect
ual training. Today this demand is
cTystallized in "a desire 10 make the
school might mix people up. provide
means for the exchange of ideas and
beliefs and arrange social meetings for
social purposes. Recreation should be
used as moral factor and the school
should direct the amusements of the
people
President Harper of the University of
Chicago gave an address on The Edu.
cational Progress of the Year" He con-
sidered the poor scholastic training of
the teachers most serious draw back.
This need Of broader scholarship is
greatly felt. A remarkable fact in con-
nection with secondary schools is their
nh 10 oh cahnp1
curriculum cannot longer be regarded as
one 10 be ajusted as "A preparation for
college. The schools have come TO occu-
py a unique field independent of higher
institutions. In fact, the high school is
rapidly coming TO be a rival of the
smaller college itself The time Is COM
ing when the high schools shall require
instructors with degrees There is also
danger in allowing the students to select
the easier subjects not being required 20
take the more rigid and disciplinary
subjects.
GENERAL SESSIONS.
About ten thousand educators attended
these meetings held at the Exposition
building DR.. Nicholas Butler, presi-
dent Of Columbia University, spoke on
"Some Pressing Problems. " He
thought that absence of the Bible in the
public schools prevented the child from
getting the highest degree of knowledge
He did not favor its introduction as
basis Of moral instruction and religious
instruction but believed that too many
children grew up without any know.
ledge Of it. Christian people Of all de
nominations believe the bible should be-
restored He also advised rearrange. I
ment of the primary curriculum, main
tanning that much time was wasted IN the /
second four years of the grammar /
course. He spoke very highly Of the /
primary and high school work but de. /
plored the marking time process Of the
grammar grades
Dr. Alderman, presi lent of the Louis
lana University, presented the Southern f.
Educational Question. He explained
that the educational problems of the
south were very different from those of
the northwest and must be met by men
who live in the south and breathe its
When southern people
learn that money spent on education Is
an investment and not an expenditure,
then the work of southern educators
Will have been almost accomplished
Honorable NJ +. Sadler Of London,
England, gave very entertaining adj
iress He said that educators are look.
ng around for suggestions as 10 the best
times Of further advance Ii is signi-
icant that each nation is realizing how
much 1t may gain by studying the ed.
lcational history and development of
other nations, but education is so init
nately national thing that no country
IAN with advantage directly initiate the
system If another country
Each nation must needs build up rs own
system in accordance with its own tradi-
lions and national needs. The strong
POINTS of the best tradition in Eng
ish education are its conviction
hat physical training and close contact
With nature are essential things in true
culture; that it is a mistake to regard
purely intellectual training as the sole
work of a we'll organized school system
hat education does not come through
books or words alone but also through
n taking things, through the training of
land and eye and through practice of
he arts of home life that II is exped.
ent to cultivate many kinds Of expires.
ion Of the human spirit and not 70 con.
Inc our training to the powers # verbal
expression but rather 10 encourage ex.
PRESTON through art, through making
hings, through the exercise OF judg.
nent in practical affairs and through
practice in the work of organization ard
good government. The fundamental
belief of the best English educators has
always been that the true fruit Of an ed.