Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Oak Yearbook / INSTANO Yearbook (Indiana, PA)

Page 15 text:

Mr. Beard, Head of Department. ELEMENTARY For these results are the faculty of the Elementary Department striving: to send efficient, well-prepared elementary teachers into the public schools; to encourage specialization of these teachers in one or two fields rather than in general courses; to set up a logical sequence of courses that students may be better prepared. In former years it has been the practice of students in this department to take their electives in a wide range of subjects. This year the Elementary Department of which Mr. Ralph Beard is head has tried to encourage students to select their electives in a single field. In addition, a system has been set up whereby students must take courses in logical sequence. Through careful planning this process is facilitated by proper arrangement of student programs. This year the addition of Miss Laverne Strong, who replaced Miss Lillian McLean, has proven most satisfactory. Miss Strong came to Indiana from Richmond, Indiana, where she was the head of Elementary Education; she has also served as assistant to Dr. Betz, director of reading at Pennsylvania State College. SECONDARY The Secondary Education Department prepares teachers for junior and senior high schools. In this department a student may choose to have certifi- cation in one or more fields: Social Studies, Mathe- matics, Foreign Languages, English, Geography, Science. There have been some temporary and permanent changes in the faculty and a continued shortage of male students due to wartime condi- tions, but the enrollment of the department has been ' increased again this year by the Nurse Cadet Corps. One group each semester filled the science, psychology, and sociology classes to capacity in addition to the special courses relative to the nursing profession. The Secondaries show versatility in many extra-curricular as well as curricular activities. Emphasis this year was placed on making prepara- tions for the returning war veterans. Miss Joy Mahachek is the head of this department. Miss Mahachek, Head of Department.

Page 14 text:

Vu j acuity . . . Risheberger, J. Davis, G. Davis, Beard, Head of Department, Strong, Camp, Chew. Seated — Kough, Murdock, Zimmer- man, Ayers, Duncan, Porter, Graham, Gruber. Standing — Smay, O ' Toole, Borge, Hart, D ' Andrea, McLean, Coughhn, Davis, Director. EDUCATION The Education Department, with Mr. Ralph B. Beard as head, has recently made an analysis of the courses in education studying overlap- ping, gaps, or sequence of subject matter. A survey of the available references was made, followed by a suggestion that the library purchase additional material. A program was initiated this year whereby students are made familiar with important phases of educational organizations. The purpose and organization of the State department, accrediting agencies, and professional associations have been explained. The student learned to distinguish between the types of certificates; he learned specifically what he must do regarding his certificate, the kinds of degrees, and how they may be obtained. The Education Department offers courses that form the basis for teaching in all departments, regular or special. SUPERVISING TEACHERS Three years of the college students school days are spent in preparation for that most important phase — student teaching. While attending classes the foundation is laid upon which that final test of achievement is built. Upon becoming a senior he is placed in a new environment where his superior is not just a teacher but a supervising teacher. It is she who gives inspiration and guidance to the student teacher. During this period the subject matter and the theory of teaching are integrated with actual experience. Under this direction the prospective teacher learns to organize and plan classroom work, and is shown how to conduct the best possible school activity. The supervising teacher through individual con- ferences aids the student to capitalize upon his strengths and to minimize his weaknesses.

Page 16 text:

' uides fa Jueatoiinq . . . Mrs. Bieghler Boyts, Zinc, Acting Heod of Department. FOREIGN LANGUAGE To enable the students to read, write, and speak the language in which they are interested is the major aim of the Foreign Language Department. Although stress is placed on skills, cultural information about the country whose language is being studied is also presented. The rising demand for people with such knowledge is attracting a larger number of students to this curriculum. To fulfill the demands courses have been opened to all who wish to broaden their education as well as to those who are seeking certification in this field. Mrs. Bieghler is substituting for Dr. Edward Bieghler who is serving in the armed forces. GEOGRAPHY The Geography Department, in addition to training specialists in geo- graphic education, has aided in the war effort by offering courses in carto- graphy, meteorology, commercial air transportation, and world problems. Commercial air transportation deals with such items as freedom of the air, ownership and control of airlines, strategic locations for bases and future air routes. World Problems in Geography takes up such items as the inter- pretation of news, the geographic background of changing boundaries, and the feeding of European refugees A study of the history, interpretation, and special types of maps comprise an interesting and valuable new course.