Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-07-28
NEW TREND IN
EDUCATIONAL THINKING
Pragmatism 10 Made Subject of Ad-
dress by Secretary Hine at Summer
Normal Schooh


SecretarysC a. Hine of the state
board of educatio1S4 delivered an inter-
esting lecture Tuesday morning to a
large number OF superintendents at
tending the summer normal school at
Storrs. HiAasubject was The New
PHILOSOPHERS Education. He said in
part:
'Withinsa comparatively recent Pc
Rod, both consciously and uncon-
sciously. educational thinking has
taken a new direction
"The name given to what may be
called this philosophy Of education is
'pragmatism-' The name is not popu-
lar, out it iss pertinent and I will use
1t.
Three Principles.
1.-THE first principle Is that truth or
knowledge is not something fixed and
eternal which once discovered is for
ever valid and useful. II this were so,
then there could be no real progress,
for the only ineligible meaning of
progress would consist in coming to
know better the one Interchangeable and
eternal truth. This fallacy arises from
taking the mathematical sciences as
the type OF all knowledge. Moreover,
the idea OF eternal and Interchangeable
truth is not verified by a consideration
of the biological sciences which deal
with life. ..r
Sin the second place. this idea of an
eternal or Interchangeable truth assumes
the existence Of a static and unpro-
gressive woTld-menta1 and physical.
On the other hand. we know that the
world, mental and physical, is pro-
gressive and dynamic and in particu-
lar that human activity counts for
something in this world
From the foregoing the third posi-
ton IS inferred. knowledge arises in
order to better practice. knowledge is
not fundamental and primary, but sec
knowledge is the betterment of prac-
tice.
Prepare for-Sociaf Usefulness.
"Pragmatfsm does not admit that the
development of what are called the
innate potentia1ities Of the child's ma
ture is a sufficient or accurate account
of the aim of education.
The ultimate criterion or standard
not merely as regards subjects but
also of school methods is to be found
by asking the simple question-how
far do they prepare for social useful
ness?
What the state requires and what
society needs of the majority of its
members is practical efficiency as
working citizens; hence, both in or
ganization and methode this aim must
predominant.
w hat Inc LGdCn0T- Is really TO DO,
MS work Is to have any permanent re-
suit in conduct, is to so use the vari-
Gus school habits such as obedience
TO authority, promptness in doing du-
ties, industry and non-interference
with the work of others, as to make the
pupil realize that these are part Of his
equipment The main purpose then OF
the acquisition of knowledge as a new
factor in experience is to aid better
social action by individual habits.
AS regards intellectual education
the emphasis in school method must be
laid upon action or doing; upon the
fact that the real object of the acquir-
ing OF knowledge and relating 1t to
experience is to relate the new acquire
ments to the interests Of the child. In
fine, the only way to prepare for life Is
to engage in life and to do something
with the knowledge which is gained
~As regards physical education, there
should be such physical exercises as
tend to secure motor control to the ex-
tent that useful habits are confirmed
and that future needs are considered.
To this end. military training is the
highest and best method OF intoxicating
and confirming good habits OF motor
control. There may be games, plays,
etc, which also involve the same prin-
ciple. Formal gymnastics are not the
means which are likely to realize the
ultimate aims of the school in its
preparation for social life.
Smaller Schools and Glasses.
Mr.. Hine also spoke about the outer
organization of the school system He
said: There is need for schools Of
smaller size; especially in large towns.
The real life of a school can never be
developed as long as we have huge
buildings which are found in many
cities.
Elm the second place. there Is need
for smaller classes in order that the
teacher may become acquainted with
the various individuals and their vari-
Gus characteristics and especially in
order that we may introduce active