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 T. 20 Form Courses of study
Not Present Requirement.

study for the curriculum OF schools
outside Of the cities Of the first and
second class formed the chief feature
of discussion al the biennial conven-
ton Of county school superntendents
Of the state. which convened IN the
joint city and county building this
morning for 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
Ont
The convention was called to order
by state Supt. A. g.. Nelson az %
O'Clock. Supt Nelson expressed his
pleasure at the excellent representa-
ton OF superintendents present and
introduced President J T. Elngsbury
OF the University OF Utah. who dcliv-
cred the opening address. his subject
being, 1.-THE Trend OF Modern Educa-
ton
President Kingshury said the progress
OF the future could In a measure be
judged from what had been accom-
plished IN the past Tho educational
pendulum, he said, had oscillated 20
extremes IN the past history OF educa-
ton, and the main purpose Of educators
in this age was 10 cause the pendulum
10 vibrato evenly anordnc tho 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 ~ making great strides
in the cause Of education. After these
came the applied sciences. such as cleo
trical. mechanical municipal engineer
Ing and it is hardly possible to grasp
the progress made IN the schools as
result OF the introduction Of these sub
jects. Now physical education. agri-
culture. music and domestic arts
have been brought into the daily study
Of the pupils Of the schools and
though these subjects met much op-
position, they arc included IN the cur
riculum OF most an wen regulated COL
leges ard universities today. 7 remem-
Der T. years ago OF talking with n
professor Of johns Hopkins university
on this subject and he ridiculed the
idea Of Introducing the subject ~ media
gogy 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 to
stay. as has also manual training
physical education. domestic arts and
agriculture"
THE TREND OF THE DAY
President Kingsbury spoke OF the Mt
titude Of educators OF the present day
toward many subjects Of vital interest
and said that at a congress held at
Brussels not many years ago IL was
decided that IL was the duty OF the
educa tors OF the world 10 combat the
effects OF the social evil. and societies
had been formed I'm various cities with
this purpose In view Laboratory re-
search also forms a large portion OF
the work Of the universities OF the day
and the trend Of modern education is 10
delve deeply into the sciences for the
benefit Of mankind. Through research
work the remedy FOR cerebro-sp spinal
meningitis was discovered. and now
one man has found a way 10 so con-
serve the heat from the suns rays
as 10 develop electrical power for the
heating and lighting OF homes The
principle Of TRANSMISSION OF blood from
healthy person 10 a sick person wa1
also the result OF research work. with
many other discoveries which are OF
incalculable benefit 10 man.
"The trend OF modern education, "
said Or. Kingsbury. lis toward the in-
dustrial and while this is a good thirg.
/ think there rs q likelihood OF danger
resulting from carrying the idea too
far 10 rs not fair 10 the pupils to
give them scientific training without
educating their hands and their bodies.
and the reverse Is also true. The idea
OF modern education ~ 20 give the
| pupils a little knowledge OF many es-
sentIals and great deal OF
| knowledge on one line so that
/ ne may be prepared 10 meet
an conditions Zoo life. and especially
/ qualified IN his profession J am not
/ opposed 60 physical education. but
! think this branch should DE taught
| alongside with other subjects. and that
/ they might be tremendously blended to-
! gether Tor 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. n Marcussen. superin-
/ tendent Of the carbon county schools,
l presented an able discussion OF the
l 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
/ Ion mind few suggestive changes
I which ne believed would be beneficial
I to the course. Or. Elliott, the speaker
/ said. had described the aim OF educa-
/ ton as being the effective power of
l man for work and service during "a long
/ and effective life. Effective men are
/ those who see and hear things we'll and
! whose Ave senses are developed TO the
/ highest capacity The speaker said
! there was nothing Ia 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, els his ability 20
! sec 20 feel TO know and 20 do. to as
| rire and accomplish I'm the ends and
/ aims Of education. The course OF study
| must meet the real needs OF the pupils
and not OF adults. and / think the pres
| ent course OF study was outlined more
| from am adult view Of the requirement.
| Of children than from the standpoint
| of the needs OF the children themselves
81 would suggest a few changes In the
| form OF the course OF study. and these
| I would divide under three heads, name
| Iy 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 ~ non-essentials, and
there should be more opportunity FOR
alternative and optional work, glvinr
| tho pupil n conscious motive
for all that he does, thus Civ