The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22
PRESIDENT ABERCROMBIE
 READS INTERESTING PAPER

Washington, November a.-tspecial.)- Following is the paper read by President
 John w Abercrombie of the University of
 Alabama at the annual meeting of the National Association of State Universi- ties this week:
 Mir President and Members of the Asso-
 citation:
 No educational programme emitting the subject of methods of instruction could be regarded as complete, especially if that programme be arranged for a convention of professional educators. It is approprt- ate, therefore, that the list of subjects for this meeting should include that upon which have been requested to prepare paper-"The Lecture Method of Instruc- ton for Undergraduates
 Since the school, whether it be element ary, secondary or higher-whether It pc state, church or .private-has for it's cnler object tho development of self-activity, the method by which that object can De best accomplished is 8 matter of supreme l importance; and 1t is not strange that ed ucators should have devoted to its consid- eration much of time and energy. The subject of methods has been extensively discussed; volumes have been written upon it; 1t would seem that 1t has been exhausted Certainly I cannot hope in the time allotted to make a contribution to the literature on the subject.
 Methods of instruction.
 Tn order intelligent1y to discuss the lec- ture method of instruction, 1t will be nec- essary to examine other methods and compare them with that under considera- ton. To that end, I shall divide methods into three classes. viz: the recitation method. the lecture method, and the reel tation-lecture method.
 The Recitation Method.
 The term 'recitation" may be traced to the early practice of ''hearing lessons, V hich consisted chiefly of the reading or onastions from the textbook by the teacher. and the reciting by the students of answers memorized from the text book. While this process requires llttle or exertion upon the part of ahe teacher, ana when followed exclusively is dwarfing' if not positively deadening to the student, 1t still obtains among many so-calleu teachers, especially in the lower schools
 Modern education has evolved better methods. but the teaching exercise con- tinues to be designated by the term reel tation," and the recitation as used here refers to that exercise in which teacher and student cooperate in an endeaFor to impart and acquire knowledge.
 The recitation method is recognized gen. eraIy as appropriate and eficacious for giving instruction in elementary and sec opdary schools. It Is employed in the German gymnasium, but there are those who question its effectiveness in our high CT Institutions It is as old as Socrates, and by pedagogical writers has been vari- ously designated as the Socratic method, the conversational method, the question and-ansver method, the examination method. the catechitic method, the text book method, etc.
 As has been stated, the object of the ed- ucational process is to lead the student to seif-aetivity and the teaching exercise which does not tend in that direction is moi well choser. The one which tends most to excite self-aetivity is best chosen. According to the disciples of Herbart, there are five clearly defined steps in the properly conducted recitation. viz: Gal preparations; (b) presentation; Co assocla- ton; (d) recapitulation; and, (e5 applca- ton.
 (a) Preparation--It Is essential that the mind of the student be prepared to re- ceive instruction. This should be the first step. and can be accomplished by re- view of the preceding lesson, or aecalling to mind of the pertinent and important facts previously ascertained. A properly directed review of the foregoing lesson, through such review be brief, not only prepares the way for what is to come, but it also fixes more firmly in the mind