82 Education through Nature 



The method is useful in nature study for at least 

 two purposes, provided it is adopted at the proper 

 time, in the investigation of a given subject. First, 

 it is valuable in testing the pupil's knowledge of the 

 subject, after he has completed his observation. This 

 testing is of very great importance; for many pupils, 

 like most mortals, need the touch of the stern hand 

 of necessity to spur them on to meet an emergency 

 and do their best work. Second, it is useful in pro- 

 moting a proper assimilation of materials of knowledge, 

 gained through experience. By it facts are recalled, 

 the subject reviewed, and the meaning of the whole 

 often made clearer, by the order in which the questions 

 arise in the course of the natural development of the 

 subject. 



8. THE LECTURE OR TELLING METHOD is the 

 method of communicating ideas by means of oral 

 language. The teacher speaks to the class about 

 the subject, answering those questions which he 

 imagines to arise, naturally, in the pupiPs mind; 

 and giving such information, in a connected way, as 

 he believes the pupil ought to know. 



This method is liable to abuse, because the word 

 is apt to come before the idea; the symbol for the 

 thing signified. Thus the lecture very often becomes 

 a meaningless harangue, by which no real com- 

 munication of ideas actually takes place. This is 

 especially true when the lecture deals with things 

 lying outside of the actual experience of the pupil, 

 and when conveyed in language or in terms that are 

 unfamiliar to him. 



It has the advantage of affording the teacher an 

 opportunity to impress upon the pupil his own per- 

 sonality, by voice and gesture, and to arouse feelings 

 and enthusiasm for the work. It also is an admirable 

 means for summarizing a subject, the details of which 

 are already familiar; for putting things into their 



