W.E.A.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 182, 3 August 1929, Page 13

W.E.A.

AT THE TURNING POINT, ADULT EDUCATION IN N.Z. METHODS COMPARED. (By JAQUES;) I ' The idea of universal adult education t is no longer a novelty. As an ideal it i is widely accepted and approved, but at i the same time the organised practical , work is often seriously criticised. In i a very interesting lecture, given under i the aegis of the Auckland Educational ■ Society, Mr. W. H. Cocker, president of ' the W.E.A., set out to show just how . far this, criticism was justified. Com- . ing down to present-day tendencies in the movement, he made special distinction between the university extension ' method, consisting of short lecture courses with no class work, and the W.E.A, tutorial class, which demanded ; more continuous and systematic study. Small classes and a high standard of work were the ideals. University extention work as such was practically unknown in New Zealand, but the W.E.A. had drifted into something of a compromise between the two methods. Lectures alone, however, were-not sufficient. - The most 1 valuable feature of the tutorial class was the express provision of time for discussion after the lectures. The educational benefit from the conversation, the exchange of opinion, the impact of mind upon mind, was impossible to over-estimate. The type of tutor w'as also of the . utmost importance. Tutors new to W.E.A. work soon discovered that they could not,depend on all they said being blindly accepted by the students, They must be prepared to become the students' colleagues and to recognise them jas adults with keen, inquiring minds, whose opinions were worth respecting. They must also resist the temptation to let the standard of work fall in order to maintain the numbers of. students. The chief aim of the adult education movement was not so much the gaining of superficial knowledge as the cultivation of an attitude of mind leading to a richer and fuller life. Mr. Cocker pleaded for a serious examination of the difficulties ahead of the movement. Adult education in New Zealand had reached a turning point; there was a tendency to take the university extension way. but in his opinion this meant failure. For success the movement must be organised from below; it must rest upon a democratic basis. It must also be prepared to develop along lines of social service. For. the purpose of co-ordinating the work iof adult education in New Zealand, the lecturer suggested that a board of extra-mural studies be set up in each university district, The idea is worthy of serious consideration. . Forty-two students are now on the roll of the Post and Telegraph Department's class in economics. A remarkable discovery was made by the.director of classes (Mr. N. M. Richmond) on his recent visit to the groups in the North Auckland district, This was nothing less than a distinct feeling of opposition among the students to the opinions of Mr. George Bernard Shaw, "Most circled had apparently been much annoyed by this writer" says Mr. Richmond, "and rejoiced when they reached a lecture on Chesterton, who pitches into Shaw." It is difficult. to decide how to deal, with this awkward situation. One can only suggest writing to ask the advice of G.B,S. about it. The ' Takapuna literature class, hav-ing-completed its series of 12 lectures on one-act plays and short stories, is now studying different, phases of English and Continental literature, The four remaining lectures will be on the Russian short story writers, four recent German "novels, two great Italians (Benvcnuto Cellini and Leonardo <la Vinci), and leaders of Scandinavian literature. It is gratifying to learn that' the study of short stories has had the effect of spurring on several members of the class to try their hand at this form, and some stories of a high standard have been written. The W.E.A, weekly wireless talks have been attracting considerable attention, Many requests for supplementary notes on' the subjects , dealt with have been received, one. coming from as . far away as. Fiji. Tho programme for August is as follows;-— Thursday, Bth, Mr, N. M, Richmond, 8,A., on "The Modern Age, as the Socialist Sees. It" r Tuesday, 13th, Mr. H, Hollinrake, Mus. Bac., on "Melody"; Thursday, 22nd, ' Mr. N. M. Richmond, 8.A., on "The Modern Age, as John Galsworthy Sees It"; Tuesday, 27th, Rev. W.* G. Monckton, M.A., on "New Zealand and the League of Nations.", All these.lectures begin at 7.40 p.m. The director .of classes confesses, that he for one derives more than usual pleasure from the lectures at Mount Eden - gaol. The discussion . by the prisoners is particularly keen, comparing well for quality and quantity with many classes?, whose members are drawn from the other and ujisubmgrged ninetenths, Six lectures so far have been given this year. At one by Mr, Richmond on "Modern America" the discus- 1 sion was made bright by a newlyarrived American, who knew something ,o,f Ford's, works, and appeared well informed on U.S.A. matters, Mr, j. W. j Shaw gave a talk on "Literature in New Zealand," 1 illustrated by a play written j by .a member of the W.E.A, drama class. Miss W. Guy gave a "Travel Talk," .illustrated by posters, A'lecture by the Rev. W.. G. Monckton on "Dramatic Episodes from History" was exceptionally well received; The Rev. Jasper Calder, ever popular, spoke on "The Story df 'the Horse," and touched on the evolution theory as shown by the. development of the horse/ A lecture illustrated by lantern slides on "Beekeeuinar," by Mr. D. T. -Robinson, apiary instructor, Palm erst 911 North, was also thoroughly enjoyed. 1 In England a further step has been taken in the direction of adult education in "the prisons by. forming groups on'the same lines as the tutorial classes. It-is hoped that the authorities will eventnalTv .agree to this method being adopted here, 'The W,R,A, concert will he held this year: in the. University Hall, A prograrnme of exceptional quality has been arranged. The broadcast debate between the University College and the W.E.A. on "Is the Party System of Government Obsolete?" was interesting enough in it's way, hut might easily baye been more so. The 'Varsjty men, who took the negative, had apparently failed to convince themselves, and so convinced nobody. In the ,absence of anv opinion from the chairman (why this latter-day reticence on the part of debate umpires?), the W.E.A. team is hereby declared an easy winner. Office of the Workers' Educational Association' Old Grain mar School building, - Street, Auckland.