Uses Loud-Speaker To Teach Maths

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1948, Page 2

Uses Loud-Speaker To Teach Maths

AUCKLAND, Sat. (Sp.)—Mathematics are taught through loud-speak-ers at Sydney University. Dr K. E. Bullen, who is professor of applied mathematics at the university, explained why at Auckland yesterday. Post-war thirst for higher education had caused such huge classes that it was impossible to lecture without a lcud-speaker. Dr Bullen is spending a month's holiday with his parents. Mr and Mrs G. S. Bullen, of Herne Bay. There were between 9(5t)0 and 10,000 full-time students at Sydney University last year and enrolments were expected to total 11.000 in the coming term, he said. This would be the peak year and the numbers would ultimately settle down to about 6000 or 7000. An influx of ex-servicemen, an increased desire for a university education and a bigger crop than usual from the secondary schools were the main reasons for the congestion.

Speaking of his work at Sydney recently, the new head of the chemistry department, Professor R. J. Le Fevre, formerly of London, had remarked:

“It is like that of a chain store director,” Dr Bullen continued. The staff was trying to cushion the effect of overcrowding, but it meant a fairly heavy crop of failures.