Pueblo chieftain., 1921-07-11
BY FREDERIC j. HaskIn.

Washington. u. c.. July s---A man
has arisen in the Middle West with
new idea concerning the teaching Of
the exact science Or engineering who
il attra citing the attention Of educators
all over the United States and in con-
ters OF learning abroad. He has M
epoch-makinE method OF supplying
brains to dun students. or filling their
minds with knowledge that will stick
regardless OF tho students capacity,
hut he has worked out a system where
by his school Is turning out better
graduate engineers.
This man is a. A. Potter. Dean OF
Engineering at Purdue university. La
fayette. Indiana. That the benefit OF
mis- system Is appreciated by young
men desirous OF becoming engineers is
shown by the enrolment in the Engi-
neering School az Purdue. In the col
lege year Just closed there were i.s15
students. ranking the school third
among institutions OF It's kind in tho
United States in point Of numbers.
Summed up, what Dean Potter is
pctent professional mcn-noi jrst grad
ust.s; to keep the students interest
n, high pitch: TO sec that his tim, Is
spent where he can best excel.
When a student takes up tho engi-
nccrinC course at Purdue Il IN soon as
certained whether he knows how TO
study and memorizc effectively II he
does not; It is the first thing nc Is
taught. He II taught that he ~ no.
to learn any book, but to master in
formation which that book contains
He Is urged to visualize what Is set
forth. to pick out the essentials OF a
study and concentrate on them in order
that they VIII be clear and practical to
him always.
b.. y ~.
three months in his FIRST year the cngi-
nccrinE student has his character in
ventoried by rve OF his fellow students
and two OF his teachers. This record
is kept up thruout his course. and az
fords AN excellent estimate OF any
student almost at glance. From
thesc seven reports and tho stgdeut's
own estimate OF hinissir his record IS
made up and kept.
Inventory Of Character
These cards cover .hc 'udor;'S na
| tural aptitude and mental character
istics; his application: his general
attitude. whether Sclf-reiiant. opinion
atcd. quarrclSomc. aggressive, concll-
iatory. timid or sclf-controllcd: coop.
erstlve ability. courtesy. disposition.
| whether gloomy or good natured; cf-
| hclency. habits Of work. whether
punctual. rcsourcnfuI. rapid or SLOW
and the like; his Judgment: qualities
OF leadership: mental caliber: gen
orsl outlook on life. sense Of re+pon
sibility. tact.
on tho same cards. under ,hs had
ing OF Moral and Social Character!i.
/ ties. the two teachers and nv. stud
/ cnts record whether the student heinz
described has an ingratiating address,
/ or whether II Is cautious, direct and
hrusdue, or irritating. and whether he
leaves good or poor impression
| whether his character In yielding. weak
1 firm. strong. obstinate, or pos!iivrly Is
moral; whether he is consclsutlous
| tricky, honorable, reliable. or unreii-
| able: whether his manner is trustfuI
guarded suspicious. Jealous. or envI.
ouS; and whether the stud Mt ia pop.
ular or not.
The physical characteristics arc ALEC
recorded. This covers the countcnaucr.
whether pleasant. serious. optn. strong,
sscre'ive or weak: his habit Of dress
whether snowy. stylish. tasteful. III
] chosen. neat. or careless. whether he
has any deformity. his carrla &c
whether erect and dignifed or round
shouldered and slouchy: and his gen
/ eral health. covering his vision. hear
ing, endurance. vitalirN, physique and
nervous stability.
In addition. this con-ensu. ~ ohscr-
walton OF the student covers his use Of
English In speaking and writing. and
whether his handwriting IL firm, husi
noss-like. lerihle. illegible or careless
From the data collected. Dean pot
! ter Is abb to advise the student ss 10
Z his future course, encouraging tim n
he Is on-the right road, or telling him
/ II hts path is badly chosen. IT. q stu
/ dent Is without any faculty Of leader
Hhip or inventive Ideas, who is prone
/ to accept everything Just as he nnds II
without any suggestion OF improve
ment. he is believed to have chosen
the wrong profession as his life work.
| Engineering In practically every branch
| demands constant inventive ability,
vision and constructive thinking Of the
| highest order to bring real success
/ Dean Potter goes on the theory that
tho time to discuss the error in choice
| Of profession is before tho hov nr young
4 man is allowed tp waste much Of his
! time At an ill-choson study Tho Dean
has found many students who lust wish
to he this or that without having sup
| plenfonted this desire with nuvthins
| like an analysis Of their own charsc-
teristics Or natural ability for the work
they think they want to undertake.
| Follow tho Right ucnt
Tho student who is found to he Sa,
! urally gifted and fitted for the profes-