The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-09-04
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

TT seems to be agreed pretty generally among
l. thoughtful persons that the problems of
today present a completely which defeS solution
through anything short of a more adequate and
realistic educational system But it seems to be
equally clear that the completely and difficulty
of these problems are developing much more
rapidly than the educational policies needed to
cope with them.
Dean Randall has written a very interesting
book on the human side of conventional college
life as seen by an educational administrator
("The Deans Window" BY Otis E. Randall
The Stratford Company. $250) From this stand
point there are many promising suggestions
which reveal the author to be a Warm-hearted
human being if not an educational revolutionist
There u.s. unfortunately, very little effort to come
to grips with the necessity for complete recast-
ing of the whole curriculum.
The human side of education is discussed
with equal freshness and vividnesS from the
standpoint of the student in John Coulter's
account of the mental experience of a typical
freshman in an average small American college,
Gin Freshman Year" BY John G. Coulter
William H. Wise & co. $1500 There is plenty
of incidental implication of woefully archaic and
unrealistic character of the content of temporary
education.
THE major problems of educational recon-
u struction revolve more around the issue OF
what to teach than how to teach it, There is
room, however, for a clear manual for educa-
tional psychology, and Professor Leary has writ
ten very good one. Educational Psychology"
BY Daniel Bell Leary. Thomas Nelson & Sons;
So 500 It's outstanding merits are good organ
ization, clarity of style, and a broad attitude
toward the whole subject of psychology and
pedagogy.
No one is making a more heroic effort to
| bring education up-to-date than Professor Wal
| ter B. Pitkin. In this volume he wrestles with
| the problem created by the fact that some older
| lines n professional activity
dsintergrating with the process of technology
and social institution ("NeW Careers Tor
Youth" BY Walter B. Pitkin Simon e. Schu-
ster; S1.5O) Others are becoming terrifcally
overcrowded.
Mr. Ptkin takes into account not only the
changes Of the immediate past but the probable
trends in the near future, and advises the youth
of the land how to prepare for job which may
exist when they are ready to step into it.
PROFESSOR PITKINS other work embodies
l. systematic suggestions as to how those who
have lost their jobs or are about to lose them
may find themselves again and organize a COM
munity life which will enable them to live pas
SADLY even in the terminal stages Of capitalistic
| civilization CThe Chance of a Lifetime. By
Walter B Pitkin. Simon & Schuster. So
One of the most critical phases of modern
education is that which is produced by the rapid
progress Of knowledge. A man who had good
education in 1914 is hopeleSsy out-of-date if he
has not freshened his knowledge since. A recog-
milton OF this fact has brought about the very
important adult education movement.
Mr.. Fansler has made important contri-
button to technique of adult education in pre-
senting satisfactory ways for operating the SYM
postum and the informal discussion groups in
adult education. CDiscuSsion Methods for
Adult Groups" By Thomas Fanser. American
Association for Adult Education. SD
One Of the chief indictments against con-
temporary civilization is that we may plan for
manufacturing goods and managing money, but
rarely plan intelligent community life
The American Association for Adult Edu-
cation has sponsored Illuminating survey Of
a very interesting and promising planned COM
munity. that Of Radburn in Bergen County,
N. j. 1t is quite obvious that this local COM
munity planning will be quite as important in
reconstrucing American life and society as the
large scale national planning which is let down
upon US from above.
"C'Radburn. Pan of Living" BY Robert B.
Hudson. American Association for Adult Educa-
| ton SD