Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-04-01
Educators Discuss Needs Of the
Common School Curriculum
At Today's Meeting.
THE CHILD AND THE ADULT
Trend J. 10 Form Courses of study
with Regard 10 the Ultimate aud
Not Present Requirement


study for the curriculum OF schools
outside of the cities NJ the first and
second class formed the chief feature
OF discussion at the biennial conven-
ton Of county school superintendents
OF the state. which convened I'm the
joint city and county building this
morning for a two days session and
the paper OF supt c. r. Marcussen Of
The schools Of Carbon county was the
leading feature OF the meeting. Thirty
superintendents and educators from
different parts OF the state were pres
emit
The convention was called to order
ny state Supt. A. G.. Nelson az 10
O'Clock. Supt Nelson expressed his
pleasure at the excellent representa-
ton OF superintendents present. and
introduced President j. r. Kingsbury
OF the University Of Utah. who deliv-
cred the opening address his subject
being. 1.-THE Trend Of Modern Educa-
tion "
President Kingsbury said the progress
OF the future could IN a measure be
judged from what had been accom-
plishcd IN the mast. The educational
pendulum, he said. had oscillated 10
extremes IN the past history Of educa-
ton, and the main purpose u educators
IN this age was 10 cause the pendulum
10 vibrato evenly, affordme the pupils
In the public schools the opportunity
for acquiring well balanced minds as
result Of the process Of education
through which they are passing. Presi-
dent kingsbury said IN part:
The Introduction Of the pure sciences
into the curriculum Of the colleges has
been the means of making great strides
in the cause Of education. After these
came the applied sciences. such as cleo
trical. mechanical municipal engineer
ing and IL is hardly possible to grasp
tho progress made IN the schools as a
result OF tho introduction ~ these sub
jects Now physical education. agri-
culture. music and domestic arts
have been brought into the daily study
n the pupils Of the schools and
though these subjects met much or
position, they are Included I'm the cur
riculum Of most All well regulated col
leges and universities today I remem-
Der H. years ago or talking with n
professor Of johns Hopkins unie crsltv.
on this subject. and he ridiculed the
idea OF introducing the subject ~ peda-
goEy into the schools. He thought such
a thing was useless and that was the
general feeling among educators. Blu.
pedagogy has come into the schools 20
stay as has also manual training
physical education. domestic arts ana
agriculture"
THE TREND OF THE DAY.
President Kingsbury spoke OF the NJ.
titudc OF educators OF the present day
toward many subjects Of vital interest
and said that at a congress held az
Brussels not many years ago il was
decided that IL was the duty Of the
educators Of the world to combat the
effects OF the social evil and societie7
had been formed In various cities with
this purpose I'm view. Laboratory re-
search also forms n large portion OF
the work Of the universities OF the day
and the trend Of modern education IS 10
delye deeply into the sciences for the
benefit OF mankind Through research
work the remedy FOR cerebrO- spinal
meningitis was discovered and now
one man has found a way 20 so con.
serve the heat from the suns RAYS
as 20 develop electrical power for the
heating and lighting OF homes The
principle OF TRANSMISSION OF blood from
a healthy person 10 a sick person was
also the result OF research work. with
many other discoveries which are OF
incalculahle benefit 90 man.
"The trend OF modern education"
said Or. kingsbury. 'is toward the In
dustrial. and while this Is a good thing.
/ think there rs a likelihood OF danger
resulting from carrying the idea too
far n Is not fair 70 the pupils 10
give them a scientific training without
educating their hands and their bodies.
and the reverse is also true. The idea
OF modern education o. 20 give the
pupils a little knowledge OF many es-
sentials and great deal Of
knowledge on one line so that
he may be prepared 20 meet
an conditions iu life. and especially
frt ID
opposed TO physical education. but
think this branch should be taught
alongside with other subjects. and that
they might be tremendously blended to-
gcther for the building OF the perfect
mental and physical man"
DISCUSSES PRESENT SYSTEM.
The discussion OF the course Of study
used in the public schools then fol,
lowed. and G.. r. Marcussen. superin-
tcndent OF the Carbon county schools.
presented an able discussion Of the
merits and dement's OF the present svs
tenn He said while the course Of study
in use In the schools was undoubtedly
the best the state had ever had. he had
n mind a few suggestive changes
which ne believed would be beneficial
90 the course. Or. Elliott, the speaker
said. had described the aim OF educa-
ton as being the effective power of
man for work and service during a long
and effective life Effective men are
those who see and hear things well. and
whose Ave senses are developed 10 the
highest capacity. The speaker said
there was nothing In the course of
study especially bearing upon the edu-
cation Of the special senses OF the pu-
pills, and he believed that the teachers
should have instructions on this head
THE test OF teachers ability"
Supt Marcussen said. "is his ability To
see. TO feel. TO know and 10 do. to as
pire and accomplish in the ends and
aims Of education The course OF study
must meet the real needs OF the pupils
and not of adults. and I think the pres
ent course Of study was outlined more
from am adult view OF the requirements
of children than from the standpoint
of the needs OF the children themselves
II would suggest few changes in the
form of the course OF study. and these
1 would divide under three hcads.name-
ly. the prescribed work. which should
occupy half the time OF the pupils: the
alternative work. and the optional
work. which should occupy the other
half Essentials should not be omitted
for the teaching 81 non essentials, and
there should be moro opportunity for
alternative and optional work, givine
the pupil conscious motive
for all that he does, thus Civ