TEACHERS' CLASSES.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1917, Page 7

TEACHERS' CLASSES.

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

Nearly 300 teacher," from all parts of Hie Taranaki Education District have assembled in New Plymouth for the purpose of attending agricultural classes, which are being conducted by Mr. R.

Brown, chief instructor and Messrs. H. G.. Sergei and Johnston, in connection with the agricultural course at the primary schools. The classes are being held at the Central School and the Good Templar Hall,

On Tuesday afternoon prior to the commencement of the lectures, the teachers met in the Good Templar Hall, where, after the singing of the National Anthem, an address lasting over an hour was given by Mr. A. J. Morton, chief inspector, who dealt with the process of development of ideas in the child's mind, together with the method employed by the teacher so as to conform with the natural laws of development. He traced the Herbartian five steps in conforming to the laws of natural development, viz., (1) preparation or bringing the minds of the pupils into an expectant attitude; (2) presentation, or the putting before the pupils selected examples for observation and enquiry; (3) association or determining likenesses so as to form one group; (4) generalisation or giving a name to the group and forming a definition or rule; (5) application or the putting of the knowledge gained into practice. The speaker referred to the constant testing required during the lesson so as to ascertain that the instruction wan being absorbed and digested; to the necessity for the encouragement of selfactivity, of which there were two kind-?, active and -passive, the former being shown by keennc-ss on the part of the learner. He considered that health and environment had a great influence on a child's life, and for this reason school gardens and attention to physical training should not be neglected. A child's life at school should be inade as happy as possible, and a wise- teacher would use attractive illustrations'and flashes of humor to brighten up the school work. He .said the foundation of all successful teaching was proper gradation and thoroughness, such as wodld be put in practice from day to day and in every lesson.

The inspector then dealt with the special treatment of different subjects in tlio school curriculum and pointed out where weak points would be found. The memorising of definitions as generally done, Mr. Morton did not agree with, but considered that a definition should just go as far as the particular lesson requires.

The address was attentively listened, to and at its conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was acorded the lecturer on the motion of Mr. Sims, president "of the Teachers' Institute.

Before dispersing the rssembled teachers passed a vote of sympathy with Mr. N. D. Day in his recent bereavement.