Lessons from the Past

I recently had the opportunity to read a few sections of the October, 1927 edition of “Normal Instructor and Primary Plans,” a magazine for “teachers of all the grades and rural schools.”  Just for your information the magazine cost was 25 cents per issue, or $2.00 for year’s subscription.

An article caught my eye that was written by E.E. Oberholtzer, the Superintendent of Schools in Houston, Texas.  He later served as the President of the University of Houston, until retiring in 1950.  The article is titled, “A New Emphasis in Primary Education.”

The discussion centered on recent developments in science and psychology that had brought about a reinterpretation of the learning process.  Dr. Oberholtzer wrote, “Pupil participation, laboratory schools, project teaching are all educational terms which have come into existence as a result of this new interpretation.”   The reason I find this interesting is that I can read the latest journal about education in the 21^st century and invariably the terms include “student driven” (pupil participation), “magnet school” (laboratory schools) and “project-based learning” (project teaching).   While these terms each have a little different twist in today’s world, the themes are very similar.

It seems the ideas and concepts of quality and “cutting edge” educational practices of the 21^st century have been around for 80+ years….