Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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21 Manual Training — Industrial Training There seems to exist a peculiar conception of the true relation of manual and industrial training to the general scheme of education. The manual iraining idea was conceived in live workshop; used as a means of ee nomically developing industrial skill and training, and the purpose was purely economic. The idea was nothing more than analyzing industrial processes; reducing them to their “elements. letting each element represent a principle in construction or a method in using a tool or machine». Manual training Is really the n-b-r’s of industriis or commercial production, and nr sill mechanical processes must be learned, and necessarily some method used in imparting this information to those taught, the manual idea was developed. After being thoroughly rested, it was adapted and used as a means of teaching apprentices tin- «dements of a trade, thereby economizing in time and material over the old way ap pront k eohlp. It is readily seen that manual training is the educational process, preparing th«r stt dent lor industrial work, while industrial training Is the specializing upon a given line of work after lira elementary processes have been ktirned, a.nd by actively engag- ing in the pursuit of this special line of work or trade, acqujr • the rapidity of produc- tion. and tlie skill necessary to meet tin demands made upon the p« rson following that particular trade. Industrial training lias for its purpose the direct and special training that leads to one line of commercial production, and really is closely related to the methods of the trade school. The public schools In appropriating the manual idea from the workshop, took the broad view that our school system must meet the needs of the great mass of students. Their best interests were advanced by giving them a course ««f work that mould expand their mechanical abilities, and by putting them in touch with the indus- trial world. Iiy having them use tools and materials, carry them through tire years of the early school life to the age of Judgement, prepared either to select their Ufa work from the trades, or go into other fields of endeavor with the added culture that comes irom the mastery of tools and materials. In some quarters there is a belief that manual training as a branch of the school course, has for its chief purpose the production of a few useful or ornamental articles by the student that by installing a few work benches and Supplying a Pew tools, r.r thing more is needed to carry on a successful course in manual training. Often we hear ««f the janitor of the school or some untrained person being put in charge of the manual work. Production rather than instruction seems to satisfy the demand in iraTiy places. If I rightly understand the purpose of the state of Kangas in support- ing and maintaining the State Manual Training Normal School, it was for the purpose of preparing teachers capable of installing equipments and properly teaching the man uui and kindred branches, ns well as the academic branches. This school is supposed to supply the d« niand for manual ten elvers, and if we are to fulfill the function « f our mission, we must give our students the most th««rough instruction, give tlie broadest training possible, and create a standard that shall be recognized all over our slate, and even have an Influence beyond the bounds of our state. There can lie no high standard, when it is left to the untrained and untaught person to take charge of the manual work. The lime should not be far away wh n only specially prepared persons shall give manual instruction. As the educational standards have advanced so materially in the past few years, our school must take its place in the front ranks, and be judged by its products, the teachers we send into tin field. 'j he lust legislature appmpriated $50.000.00 foT an Industrial building for th use of our manual department. Plans are being made to have tire manual depart- ment complete in every detail. With larger quarters, with increased equipment, and by th • addition of several new branches of manual work we will bo in position to give the right kind of instruction to our young nun, mi that they can take the important positions in tlie school world. 1 may not be out of place to add. that no person aspiring to tench manual train- ing. can hope to be held in high 'esteem, who negkets tlie academic work, and who thinks that tool instruction is the only requirement in teaching this branch. No greater mistake can be made. More and more is emphasis being placed upon the broad gen- •erul training that can only come from the study of both the academic and manual branch -s. It is tlie Intention to demand of our students the most thorough prepara- tion along both lines. The State Manual Training Normal School shall stand tor th.- best, and the students best welfare. Intellectually, roomily and physically shall be its aim A. M. BUMANN, Director of Manual Training.

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