The San Francisco call., 1908-03-27
AMERICAN SCHOOL
METHOD SCORED
DIR. James E. Russell of COlum-
bia Believes GIaring Faults
Exist in Teaching
Thinks System Correct One, But
Trouble Lies in Manner of
Application


of teaching In our schools and univer-
stiles is the ability 1T gives to con-
ceal ones ixnorance-tO make some
body else think You know something
when you don't. And then, too often
student is imbued with the idea TO get
there and gain high marks. dishonesty
fl he has to and regardless of how he
does II.
sI wonder IL there il anything sig
niffcant in this extraordinary parallel
that exists in the larger life out of
school and that in school. The parallel
is striking. 1 believe, that our schools
have decided bearing on the weak
nesses of our national life. Is 1T P0s-
SibIe that this great sweep of things
outside bears heavily that we
teachers nnconsciously absorb II and
take 1t up.
And yet, despite its faults, firmly
believe that the system of teaching
young children that has been developed
I'm America is the most beautiful edu-
catfonai development that we have
brought about. 1t creates Independence.
Ii makes for individuality and brings
ont the qualities of leadership. The
only trouble is that 1t is today not used
correctly. 1t is like dangerous wea-
pom that must be handled carefully.
Common sense will suggest its proper
evolution. But IL is the only method
devised which has brought out the
ability to do a new thing, to do 1T when
some one isn't there to tell you bow.'
Excerpts from speech of DIR. James
Il. Russell of Columbia university be-
fore teachers institute.
Faults in the strenuous American
methods CT education were strikingly
set forth by DR.. James E. Russell of
Columbia university of New York in
the course of speech made before the
teachers institute at Mission high
school yesterday afternoon DR.. Russell
used some plain words that set the
big audience of teachers to thinking
DR.. Russell is widely known as dean
of the teachers college of Columbia
university. where he is recognized as
one of the foremost authorities on edu-
cational matters in the country. When
it became known recently that he was
about to start on a trip to the Pacific
coast. arrangements were made by the
school board to hold the institute while
Russell was in San Francisco.
COMPARED WITH GERMANY
Comparing the American system of
teaching young children to that in
European countries, Russell made clear
that the recitation method had been
developed in the United States and was
original with it. He followed by critf-
cising its workings and pointing out
wherein 1t failed in results. Some OF
the criticisms were severe in the ex-
treme, but every point was so clearly
taken that the teachers followed the
arguments with deepest interest.
Russell declared, in effect, that one
of the results of the rapid fire method
of examining for recitations and ex-
aminations had been an artistic devel-
opment of the American game of
blur; that children were stirred too
much to work for marks rather than
understanding, and that they were
often assigned lessons far too long and
difficult. Then he called attention to
the significant parallel between these
developments of classroom instruction
and weaknesses of the country's na-
tional life
Russell said that the main trouble,
however, did not lie in the system it
self. but In misapplied methods of
teaching too often employed.
That teacher who fails to exact full
return from the task fairly assigned"
he said, . is either knave or a fool.
If he demands more than the child can
do he is actually stealing from that
child, but If he does not require what
the child is capable of doing within
reason he is also working him an In
juror else he is a fool"
In conclusion, Russell declared that
with all its faults, the American
method of teaching still was the great-
est developed in its tendency to create
independence and leadership and in its
influence in molding the national
character
The noted educator spoke on
American Ways of Teaching His re-
marks made profound impression on
the teachers.
PURELY AMERICAN METHOD
Russell spoke, in effect, as follows:
In 200 years we Americans have developed
{. method Of teaching that we can call pecu-
liarly our own. The principal feature of our
system is tie assignment of lesson fol-
lowed by recitation or examination the fol-
lowing day This requires much work to be
done at home and away from school.