Abstract
IN the years 1882 and 1884 industrial instruction formed the subject of much discussion in the Synod of the Canton of Zürich. Herr Seidel, who had long devoted earnest attention to the question, carefully answered all the objections to industrial education which were raised in the course of these debates; and the substance of his replies is embodied in the work translated in the present volume. If there is still anyone who has doubts as to the value of manual training in schools, he would profit largely by reading this little book. Herr Seidel's main point is that such training is absolutely essential in the interests of true education, and in working out this view he displays great intellectual resource and a thorough appreciation of the laws of mental growth. He is not afraid that when the need for this “new departure” is generally recognized the task imposed upon teachers will be beyond their capacities. “The training of teachers for industrial instruction,” he says, “offers no difficulty, and will not (as has been asserted) by any means involve the necessity for two kinds of teachers. The teacher can very well master the new task, and if his prejudice has disappeared, will very gladly undertake it. Probably the imparting of industrial instruction will become a favourite employment of the teacher, because the change refreshes and the labour gladdens him.”
Industrial Instruction.
By Robert Seidel. Translated by Margaret K. Smith. (Boston: D. C. Heath and Co., 1888.)
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[Book Reviews]. Nature 38, 148 (1888). https://doi.org/10.1038/038148c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/038148c0