The traditional teacher looks
upon them as mere facts to be noted, connoted, memorized, reproduced,
and graded, whereas the vitalized teacher regards them as types of
behavior, as ultimate effects of mental and spiritual activities. The
traditional teacher knows that seven times nine are sixty-three, and
that is quite enough for her purpose. If the pupil recites the fact
correctly, she gives him a perfect grade and recommends him for
promotion. For the vitalized teacher the bare fact is not enough. She
does not disdain or neglect the mechanics of her work, but she sees
beyond the present. She sees this same fact merging into the operations
of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, physics, and engineering,
until it finally functions in some enterprise that redounds to the
well-being of humanity.
=Conclusion.=--To her every event of history, every fact of mathematics
and science, every line of poetry, every passage of literature is
pregnant with meaning, dynamic, vibrant, dramatic, and prophetic.
Nothing can be dull or prosaic to her electric touch. All the facts of
the books, all the emotions of life, and all the beauties of nature she
weaves into the fabric of her dreams for her pupils. The goal of her
aspirations is far ahead, and around this goal she sees clustered those
who were her pupils. In every recitation this goal looms large in her
vision. She can envisage the viewpoint of her pupils, and thus strives
to have them envisage hers.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234