EDUCATIONAL METHODS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 16

EDUCATIONAL METHODS.

Wellington women are very happy in their Women's Club, "The Pioneer Club," which provides a meeting ground on which to entertain distinguished visitors. An unusually interesting afternoon was held last week, when Lady Stout entertained, and the guests included six medical inspectors of schools in the Dominion—Dr. Elizabeth Macdonald, Auckland, Dr. Ada Patterson, Dr. Eleanor Baker, Dr. Margaret MeCahon, Dr. Sandea, and Dr. Irving—also Mrs. Trueblood, the wife of Professor' Trueblood, of America, and Mrs. Harvcrson. In such a gathering it wae not surprising that educational matters formed one of the topics of conversaion, and Mrs. Trueblood was asked many questions as to methods which were followed in America, particularly as they affected girls. Domestic science, Mrs. Trueblood eaid, was largely taught in American schools and universities, but it was not a compulsory subject. "Many girls took it and made it their profession, and found it a very lucrative one. The reason that such was the. case was to be found in the fact that so many people lived in flats and either had their meals sent in to them or else had their meals at restaurants and such places. This opened tip various avenues of employment for women who had learnt domestic science as did the various forms of social entertainment which play or did play so large a part in the life, of the American woman.. In her part of the United States (Michigan), Mrs. Trueblood continued, no outside examination, such as matriculation, was necessary for entrance to the universities. The girl or boy went straight from the primary to the secondary schools, and from the secondary schools to the universities. Tf. however, it wag thought that a school was not up to the required standard in any of the subjects undertaken, the school authorities were made aware of the fact and they had to "wake up" in those particular subjects. It was particularly interesting in view of recent discussions among our educational experts to learn that boys nnd girls were educated totrether in the pchools, not separately. They did have, however, separate playgrounds. A great deal of attention was paid to games, and a. great feature of school life in the Stateß was to he found in the holiday camps which had lieen instituted, where the pupils go out camping nnd go in largely for outdoor sports, ag -well as such subjects as cookery, wood-carvinp , , swimming, etc. Of course t.heir teachers are in charge of the camps. No ccx hvjriene was taught in the schools. That came later on in the universities.