isa-normaladvance-1909-00170

Description:	170THE NORMAL ADVANCEpromoting the proper co-ordination of the motor organism and the mind. It develops withinthe mind the power to control the physicalorganism and develops skill in the use of thatorganism in the expression of thought. Someone has said, To train men to do the best thatcan be known is the duty of the University.To do implies action and if that action is tobe the best that can be known there must bethe proper co-ordination between the motororganism and the mind. The whole neuralorganism, it will be remembered, is physiologically considered but a machine for converting stimuli into reaction, and the intellectualpart of our life is knit up with but the middleor central part of the machines operation.(Ibid. P. 370.) The statement that any particular bit of knowledge is simply the power tore-act in the proper manner in the presenceof a certain stimilus is only half stated. Suchknowledge is of value only as the human organism has been trained to execute the mandatesof the mind. It is the duty of the schools,therefore, to lead the child both to think andto act. During the past our public schoolshave been striving to fill the minds of the pupils with a fund of knowledge and to developthe power to think but hand training mustbe given the prominent place it deserves indeveloping the power to do. It cultivates thewill power and gives the mind control of thehuman organism.If the development of useful and valuablehabits constitutes an element in education thenit would seem that Manual Training is an important factor in developing such habits. Thereis a question as to whether a habit developedalong one particular line is of value in allothers. It has been argued that to be accuratein one special line it does not follow thataccuracy will be observed in all, but the habitthus developed is valuable in that it doesmean the acquisition of the power of self-control. It furnishes the child with added meansto meet new situations in the future. ManualTraining cultivates habits of accuracy, neatness, patience, perseverance, etc. The natureof the work is such that it calls upon thethought, energy and undivided attention of theworker. The continued application of thoughtand close attention cultivates habits of rightaction.Flard work tends to create and maintain aninterest in other school work. It lengthens theschool life of those boys who are not alwaysinterested in intellectual subjects by givingthem school work in which they can see tangible benefits. The writer has known of manycases where boys have returned to school foranother year because they were interested inthe tangible results of Manual Training. Thereis a period in a boys life when creation is adominant factor. The boy is intensely practical his ideas must take a definite, clear,tangible form or they are less than moonshine.It is at this age that the box of tools at home,or the Manual Training shop supplies theneeded stimilus to awaken a new interest inlife. It affords an opportunity of observingand learning by experience, of shaping andproducing by the exercise of the hands. Itoffers an opportunity for the development ofspecial talents perhaps in a boy who may havebeen dull in other subjects. It creates a sympathy for the labor in those who do nor eaintheir livelihood with their hands. A child whohas been properly trained in Manual Trainingwork has developed a valuable inclination anddisposition toward all kind of domestic occupations.In writing this paper, I have endeavored todefine the meaning of Manual Training and togive some of the reasons why it should becomea part of our public school system. In a futurearticle I shall attempt to outline a course ofstudy, or plan, showing how the work shouldbe conducted.
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34200
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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