Can Conditions of Learning Always be Supplied ? —

" If we supply the proper conditions." It is but truth to
say that that sometimes is beyond our power under the
circumstances in which we are obliged to work. Some
pupils have so little capacity for a subject that to supply
the proper conditions would require an amount of atten-
tion which the teacher can not possibly give them. It is
doubtful also if there are not cases in which there is so
little capacity for a subject as to make it a waste of time
for the pupil to attempt to study it. A case came under
my own observation of a boy who would spend five hours
on a spelling lesson, and still miss nine words out of ten.
I am strongly inclined to the opinion that spelling was an
accomplishment which he could not afford to acquire.
(See Appendix A.)



QUESTIONS. 15

QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT.
1. What three things are essential to success in a difficult under-
taking ?

2. What can the study of Psychology do to make a teacher inter-
ested in his work ?

3. What did Fitch say about teaching, and what did he mean
by it?

4. How will the study of Psychology help a teacher to see at what
he should aim ?

5. How do men accomplish anything in nature ?

6. Illustrate your statement.
7. Show that the same thing is true in our dealings with mind.
