The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22


 Those who indorse this method for un- dergraduates in American institutions usu- ally base their arguments upon the re-
 suits obtained in German universities, overlooking the fact that measured by the German standard, our institutions are not universities, our students not univer- sity students and our professors not uni- versty professors; that 30 per cent of our
 so-called university students are no far
 ther advanced than German gymnasium students two years before graudation, and not nearly so well trained; and that, to adopt the lecture method for these is to assume that they are more capable than the more mature and better prepared stu dents of that country.
 They forget also that the German uni versailles do not obtain ideal results. It is claimed, and so far as I am informed not denied that of the. students entering Ger
 man universities two-thirds fail in life or
 20 to the bad Though the remaining
 third may govern Europe" can we af- ford to appropriate system that prom ises for the majority results so dfsas- trous?
 Juniors and Seniors.
 What about the lecture method for jun lors and seniors?
 In the best of our institutions they are
 about as well advanced as first and sec ond year students in German universities, end are therefore about as well qualified
 to profit by the lecture method of instruc-
 tion. With such students that method lsmay be followed to advantage, provided il be used occasionally and cautiously, and rrovided it be not allowed to take the place of the recitation. If employed ex- clusively, even with our graduate students, what right have we to expect that the re- suit will be different from that obtained in Germany, where such havoc IS
 wrought?
 For advanced students-occasionally for juniors more frequently Tor seniors-the lecture may be used to advantage. It may be of assistance in reviewing what has been studied, in explaining what is under consideration, N comparing or as sociating the old with the new, In draw ing conclusions and in making applica-
 tions: but the essential features of the Herbartion recitation should be em- ployed, whatever may be- the subject and whatever may be the age and attachments of those sought to be instructed. Let IL; consider briefly the relative ad- yantages and disadvantages of the lec- ture and recitation methods
 A Dignified MeMthod. The lecture method is dignfied. It is claimed by some to be the only dignified method of instruction for university pro- fessors Of course the university pro- fssor should be digniled in all things However, dignity upon the part of the professor is of little value to the individ- lual student in need of help. The recita- tion method is dignihed also, and teens with opportunities for personal service An Attractive Method. The lecture method is attractive, but 1t may be attractive from widely dissimilar standpoints. For instance, it may be at tractive for the reason that it affords op- portunity for research; for contributing to the culture of science and iterature for giving information gathered from sources inaccessible to students, or which they have not had time to investigate; for presentHg important personal discoveries AgaiJ t may be attractive for the req son tH 1t offers opportunity for escap- Ing tn ldgery of individual instruction;