II. In normal development, specific analytic observations are originally
connected almost exclusively with the imperative need for noting means
and ends in carrying on activities. When one is _doing_ something, one
is compelled, if the work is to succeed (unless it is purely routine),
to use eyes, ears, and sense of touch as guides to action. Without a
constant and alert exercise of the senses, not even plays and games can
go on; in any form of work, materials, obstacles, appliances, failures,
and successes, must be intently watched. Sense-perception does not occur
for its own sake or for purposes of training, but because it is an
indispensable factor of success in doing what one is interested in
doing. Although not designed for sense-training, this method effects
sense-training in the most economical and thoroughgoing way. Various
schemes have been designed by teachers for cultivating sharp and prompt
observation of forms, as by writing words,--even in an unknown
language,--making arrangements of figures and geometrical forms, and
having pupils reproduce them after a momentary glance. Children often
attain great skill in quick seeing and full reproducing of even
complicated meaningless combinations. But such methods of
training--however valuable as occasional games and diversions--compare
very unfavorably with the training of eye and hand that comes as an
incident of work with tools in wood or metals, or of gardening, cooking,
or the care of animals. Training by isolated exercises leaves no
deposit, leads nowhere; and even the technical skill acquired has little
radiating power, or transferable value. Criticisms made upon the
training of observation on the ground that many persons cannot correctly
reproduce the forms and arrangement of the figures on the face of their
watches misses the point because persons do not look at a watch to find
out whether four o'clock is indicated by IIII or by IV, but to find out
what time it is, and, if observation decides this matter, noting other
details is irrelevant and a waste of time. In the training of
observation the question of end and motive is all-important.
[Sidenote: Scientific observations are linked to problems]
[Sidenote: "Object-lessons" rarely supply problems]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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