The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-11-07

subjects. +
Aside from whether a subject IL
cultural or not, there is another view
point to be considered. We know full
well this Is an industrial age, a time
when engineering feats are recorded
every day, discoveries In science; in
ventions following inventions, and
machines doing all conceivable forms
o. hand work. The present honors the
man who can do things mechanical.
The builder Of the Panama canal is
far more respected than If he had dig
covered without doubt the real a1-
Of Shakespeare. Yesterday we
looked at the Woolworth building Of
Now York city with admiration; to-
day we. note that there Is being start
ed another building nearly twice an
large. We have grown accustomed
70. 1t and we expect nothing short Of
marvellous from III architects and
engineers. It Is an age Of doing
things" and we respect the brains of
the man who can manufacture or
build as In the older times they hon.
cred the Il of the mighty arm.
d However we may expect remark
able things industrially for the great
percentage Of our nation are industrial
workers and earn their livelihood dir
ectly with their hands. With this in
mind is it not worth while to ask
whether our schools reflect our indus
trial life? In order to be an effective
means Of advancing our civilization
should they not more closely follow
the lives Of the people instead of be-
ing so far apart II an institution re-
moved from everyday interests?
Could they not train for citizenship
in a fuller sense? At least a move
towards industrial education is a step
In the right direction.
|-. '"ThRra ia also another mia DC to ha
considered. Ere many years shall
have passed the natural Of
the United States will have been
developed on a par with the older
countries and in the full sense of the
word other nations will be our indus
trial competitors. IL we are to be able
In such conditions to complete suc-
cessfully, the people as q whole must
be capable and prepared. The educa-
be accomplished within a short space
Of time. Even though the school may
attempt to instill the coming genera
ton with certain ideas and ideals,
nevertheless the influence Of the
school is only one factor and the
traditions and home teachings are
still to be considered. If these happen
to be different from the school then in
all likelihood it will require two genera
lions for the school to produce any
marked effect.
S If we are to continue to be a
large nation industrially our schools
must do their part. Their function is
to prepare for good and effective
citizenship, Inc they must be so
organized that the general public
recognizes their value.
"As a part of the industrial swing of
education, mechanical drawing is an
important one, for. the idea of this
subject is quite at variance with the
older Ideals Of classical education. But
many are realizing that the so-calIed
classical education has after all it's
weakness, and that these shortcom-
In other words, since there are many
ways to the woods in a. similar nan
ner can mental gymnastics and
training be gotten along other. paths
than Latin and Greek, and at the same
time something of direct practical
value be acquired.
Mechanical drawing is perhaps a
rather indefinite term, n though
fairly well understood by the average,
can only be well appreciated through
special training. There are those who
profess to know a. great deal concern
ing it, but in reality whose knowl-
edge is superficial. The mass of sub
.ject matter that may be classified as
mechanical drawing is quite consider
able, and 1t includes parts of several
professions, u more particularly
those involving construction work.
I'm the introduction of such a
course there will be many difficulties.
1t is unfortunate that it's considera-
ton must be left to those who know
nothing of it, and further
Y1nVn hn1MITcn nf" TI1fn JvNrahIo 1orIf |
tons its success depends more upon |
chance trials rather than upon any
real merit or value inherent in the
subject. First of all will be asked,
what subject shall it replace in the
present curriculum?' What shall it's
content be-" Where is it possible to
obtain instructors?"
ITO recognize the first year high
school course Requirements to include
mechanical drawing would mean the
elimination Of at least one of our
present subjects. What that would be
must Of course be decided by those in
but it will be conceded that
the. requirements Of the average first
year high school course are decidedly
formal. and much according to CLASH
cal ideals. Such courses need revision
and should be made UP more according
to present needs. " ..'
"The contents of a required course
is not easily settled, for because of it's
newness there is little
unanimity of opinion. as to what
be included. Nor is there
as to sequence of topics,
all of which are closely related, but
because of their very closeness are
difficult to separate and arrange log
Ically. At present there are nearly
many different courses as there
L. - It'll = 1
state Of affairs may be satisfactory
for the special needs Of a particular
since at present it is offered
rs an elective or in connection with
courses. But IL high schools !
are to include that in the list Of
requirements there must be some uni
of courses. between different
allowed in exchange of students, as
we'll as recognition from higher insti-
tutions.
"lThe course should contain that
which would be of greatest practical
value, SO arranged and presented as
to- require accurate thinking. Certain
principles must be in
but the course must be 80 ar
as to permit of variance in way
OF application. 1t must be such that
it can be made interesting to all stu
and at the same time be elastic
to be varied to suit the more
student. According to the
question we are to presume there
must be both boys and girls accom-
modated in the same classes. This
require that the course should
not be too technical, but somewhat
abstract. Such a course presents the
difficulty Of being uninteresting, and
Is in danger Of being generally dislik-
ed and unpopular, and ultimately this
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