15

the individuals. These may be determined by a committee of the class, by the
instructor, or by the whole class functioning as a committee. Various devices
may be utilized according to the group involved. This phase of the activity may
last any place from fifteen minutes to half an hour according, to the time
available.

The next phase of the activity may well be relatively more formal training
in fundamentals in the form of imitative calisthenics. The short space of time
usually available makes advisable some more concentrated exercises than are fre-
quently obtained in large classes in games alone. If this form of calisthenics
is utilized, training may be given in skills which have already been practised in
the “whole method and are now practised by the "part" method. This phase of the
work may last from five to fifteen minutes.

The next phase may be one of games or athletics in which again there may
be a number of groups working. The track enthusiasts may {0 to the running gallery
if such be available. Basketball might be played crosswise at one end of the floor,
The other half of the floor may be used for some other type of activity. It is
difficult to generalize because of the widely varying equipments.

Obviously the above is simply one sample of program. In institutions havin;
only half an hour for the actual activities program only parts of this may be used.
This sample is given, however, to illustrate the principle of permitting and
encouraging the exercise of individual differences of interest rather than making
all activities obligatory for everyone.

AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIMENT

 

For such institutions as wish to undertake scientific experimentation in
the field of character education, it is suggested that two comparable groups be
selected, first equating them by pairing one against the other at the beginning
of the semester. In school systems these should be, if possible, of the same grade.
Both groups should be rated at the beginning and at the end of the experimental
period, which should be as long as possible. It will frequently be limited in
schools to one semester. Where possible, ratings should be given also by class-
room teachers and parents.

The group which we shall call the “experimental group" may now be subjected
to the type of process herein outlined and every endeavor should be made to secure
changes in character in the direction considered by the teachers to be desirable.
The other group, which we shall call the “control group” should go on as they have
hitherto, with no special emphasis being placed upon character development other
than what has already been the practice. The methods should be the same methods
as those previously used,

At the end of the experimental period the individuals in each group should
be rated in every item on the rating scale. Changes should be noted and distribu-
tions made of such changes, whether 'pesitive", 'zero', or 'negative’. That is,
the number of changes in each item and of the total score should be recorded,

If this has been done, those teachers and administrative officers intereste1
in the experiment should meet often enough so that thorough consideration can be