The training of teachers in the United States of America — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The training of teachers in the United States of America
John Stuart Mill · en
He must also have taken a “Teacher’s Course” in connection with one of
the subjects in the college curriculum--work which implies not only
extra professional instruction in methods by the college professor,
but also a special examination in the subject matter of study. Beyond
the courses of study already enumerated as belonging to the Department
of Science and Art of Teaching in the Michigan University, there is
one on the comparative study of educational systems, and a section
for seminary work. This seminary work, taken up in pedagogy, as in
other subjects, only towards the completion of the course, is very
much on the lines of the German “Seminar.” It is work of research and
discussion, done with the help of the educational library. Special
points are taken up by the students and worked out. The teacher guides
the work and reading, and generally conducts the Seminary. As regards
the time devoted to different parts of the pedagogical curriculum,
four hours a week are given to each of the courses on the art of
teaching and the principles of teaching, three hours a week to each of
the history courses and those on school supervision, and two hours a
week to the other optional subjects. The required course may be taken
among the graduate or post-graduate studies. “Teachers’ Diplomas” are
presented on graduation, provided the prescribed course has been taken.
A “Teachers’ Certificate” given by the Faculty, on the gaining of
degree and diploma, qualifies to teach in any school of the State.
At the State University, Illinois, the course in pedagogy is work
which counts towards a degree. It is placed among one of the major
or principal subjects of the “restricted electives,” that is, one of
six subjects, each occupying six terms, two subjects of which must be
chosen by the student for graduation work. Pedagogy is suggested as
part of the work of the third and fourth year in the classical course,
and when taken up for a third and fourth year, after any ordinary “Two
Years’ Course,” it constitutes a course in philosophy and pedagogy. The
different branches of pedagogy taken up in this way are:
Educational psychology, hygiene, philosophy of education, history of
education, school supervision.
The “Pedagogical Seminary” is open only to students who have taken
two other pedagogical courses. Psychology, school hygiene, and school
supervision, constitute full courses for a term--the rest are half
courses. In connection with the Philosophical Department is a course
of lectures and laboratory work in experimental psychology. Apparatus
has been purchased and considerably used in making psychological
experiments.