360 REPORT—1904. 
It is of great importance that any such paper should encourage great 
elasticity of treatment in the schools—as might be done by giving some 
choice of questions—and still more important that the questions should 
involve direct observation of Nature, a personal acquaintance with simple 
manipulations, and a thoughtful consideration of everyday occurrences. 
Arithmetic, mechanics, and botanical bookwork we do not commend as 
either experiment or observation. 
Criticisms. 
Some serious defects which have been noticed in Nature study teach- 
ing as at present conducted are :— 
(i) An attempt is made to cover too much ground, hence experiments 
and measurements are shirked because they take time and involve pre- 
paration on the part of the teacher. Experiments are described instead 
of performed, and a drawing on the blackboard takes the place of realities. 
This is the commonest and most vicious defect in such teaching. 
(ii) Unsuitable subjects are often taken, especially with the idea of 
being practical. It is no use dictating notes on haymaking to a class 
when there is no opportunity of seeing the process carried out. 
(iii) On the other hand, there is a great lack of system. A lesson on 
opening buds is followed by one on tadpoles or on the motions of the 
moon. ‘The topics are all in season in March, but for Upper Standards 
we think the course should become more systematic. 
(iv) When a definite course is chosen it is often overloaded with 
classification. The teacher seems to have the fear of a possible examiner 
before him, and is afraid to omit anything. Sciénce is too often supposed 
to consist of big words. ‘Amaryllis, fruit, a bilocular loculicidal inferior 
capsule’ need not appear in the notebook of a boy of thirteen. 
Influence of Examinations.—Report of the Committee, consisting of 
Dr. H. KE. Armsrrone (Chairman), Mr. R. A. GREGORY (Secretary), 
the Bishop of HEREFoRD, Sir Micuaet Foster, Sir P. Maanus, 
Sir A. W. Rtcker, Sir O. J. LopGr, Mr. H. W. Eve, Mr. W. A. 
SHENSTONE, Mr. W. D. Eaaar, Professor MarsHaLtL Warp, 
Mr. F. H. NEvILue, Mrs. W. N. SHaw, and Dr. C. W. Kimmins. 
ALTHOUGH there is a strong consensus of opinion as to the evil effects 
produced by the existing system of examinations, very diverse views are 
held as to the remedies which should be introduced ; and it may not be 
easy to secure acceptance of modifications which would make it possible to 
direct the education afforded by schools into really effective channels. 
Success can only be secured by the growth of a sound public opinion on 
such matters. Meanwhile there are many forces at work tending to 
bring about improvement. The conditions laid down by the Board of 
Education for admission to the register of teachers are likely to affect 
both teachers and schools in no slight degree: by leading those who 
intend to take up the work of teaching to undergo special training for 
their office, and by bringing schools under inspection in order that they 
may secure recognition. Moreover, many of the new education authori- 
ties are displaying marked interest in the problems of education, 
