E.—2

CHRISTCHURCH. Organization. —As very few of the students had had any practical experience in teaching it was found necessary to alter the organization. Previously it was found expedient for Division A students in the first year of training to devote most time to academic studies so as to knowledge in the various teaching subjects and a comparatively short time to observation and practice in the schools. This year owing to the lack of experience as probationers, students were given approximately half time in the schools and half time in College. Professional Training.—The aim of allotting not more than one student to a class has been carried out again this year. This procedure has proved very satisfactory. A class teacher cannot be expected to give adequate opportunity for actual teaching to two or more students. To do so would probably be unfair to the pupils as well as to the teacher. There were four teaching periods for each student in Division A during the year, the periods being generally of four weeks' duration. In the first period through the kindly co-operation of the head teachers each student was given the opportunity of getting a bird's-eye view of the primary-school course. This was achieved by allowing each student to visit, for a week each, an infant class, a junior class, a middle class, and a senior class with access to schemes of work, work-books, and class records, &c. In subsequent teaching periods a student remained with one class during the four weeks but returned to College each Friday afternoon for discussion of difficulties that had arisen during the week, and for talks on the technique of teaching. Academic. —The academic courses followed were those prescribed for Teacher's C Certificate, together with those prescribed in the regulations governing training colleges. Full use was made of the permission granted to vary the content of courses as deemed necessary. In each subject special emphasis was laid on the methods of teaching it. In the first term especial attention was paid to the primary-school syllabus, each lecturer reviewing the requirements in his or her subject and discussing how schemes of work might be prepared. Broadcasting.—Several members of the staff have again taken a full share in broadcasting to schools which was organized with Professor Shelley in charge. The work of Mr. A. J. Campbell, who acted as secretary to the Rod io in Schools Committee is worthy of special mention. The Broadcasting Board have agreed to install a microphone in the College to facilitate this work next year.

B—E. 2.

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