The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-11-13

purpose. Unless the student knows
the exact line Of work he is to follow
and expects to get into that work i'm
mediatey, his interest cannot be the
vital, driving force that is needed for
the most efficient learning. The young
woman who goes to business college,
for short, intensive course, knowing
that at the end of that time she is to
secure position in given office, has
real purpose for effective study,
which will animate all her efforts. The
young woman engaged to be married
who takes course in home making
will have an all-consuming interest in
the vocational problems. To secure
such interest in pupils of high school
age is difficult if not unattainable in
the majority of cases.
The immaturity of students is an
other factor impossible of cancellation.
There is no truer principle in teaching
than that the NOSE effective instruc-
ton can only be given at the time
when the student is ready for it in
mental development, in physical pow
er and in interest.
All Of these difficulties are present
ed daily in normal school, which is
an institution for pure vocational
training. It's students come for spec
ial preparation for an immediate Job.
They generally possess the needed ma
turity and good basis of general ed
ucation. Yet with all Of these advan-
tages, the task of keeping the instruc-
tion practically and essentially voca-
tional is one not yet accomplished.
The schools are steadily improving.
In time courses in pedagogy, school
administration, psychology, apprentice
teaching and school business will ac-
tually deal with the problems and sit
uations which teachers must face.
This topic is intensely interesting
to me because Of my recent epariences
in the army. | have been Director
of Educational Service in Army Hospi-
tails. The purpose of this service was
first of all to provide happy, curative
occupations which would assist men
in their recovery from wounds and
sickness. Education was prescribed
as a curative agency to shorten the
time of soldiers in hospitals and to i'm
prove chances Of recovery. This was
an entirely new use of educational ac-
tivities, yet it succeeded admirably.
The part of the experience, however, |
which applies to the present discus
sion was the surprising discovery that
the more truly vocational the educa-
tional activity could be, the more apt
it was to exert strong curative in
f1uence. This was especially true of
men in convalescent stage Of recovery,
men who were perhaps still receiving
treatment, but who had in the main re-
covered much Of their physical power.
These men were naturally looking for
ward to the resumption of civil occu-
pations. The idea of learning some !
thing calculated to be useful to them
looked attractive. Such activity pre-
sented greater appeal to these men.
The strength of the appeal determined!
the effort which the men were willing
to make. The effort brought with It |
relief from montony, forgetfulness of
present discomfort, brought hope for
the future, healthful mental and phys
ical exercise.
Over $50 different educational activ-
tiles were taught. At one time 10000
men were enrolled in army hospital |
schools: Over 100000 men were so
registered prior to November 1, 1919.
Of the $50 educational activities prob
ably 100 aimed to be truly vocational.
The shortnes of the time of schooling
in the hospitals, the disabilities and
other factors made much of this work
elementary of fragmentary in charac-
ter. In many asses, however, it be-
came purely vocational in that the
men, while in hospitals, learned the
rudiments Of a vocation with such
thoroness as to enable them to secure