TEACHING UNDER SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT TRAINS THE SENSES.--
Scientific Management, in teaching the man, aims to train all of his
senses possible. Not only does each man show an aptitude for some
special sense training,[9] but at certain times one sense may be
stronger than another; for example, the sense of hearing, as is
illustrated by the saying, "The patient in the hospital knoweth when
his doctor cometh by the fall of his footsteps, yet when he
recovereth he knoweth not even his face." At the time that a certain
thing becomes of interest, and becomes particularly interesting to
one sense, that sense is particularly keen and developed.
Scientific Management cannot expect, without more detailed
psychological data than is as yet available, to utilize these
periods of sense predominance adequately. It can, and does, aim to
utilize such senses as are trained, and to supply defects of
training of the other senses.
SUCH TRAINING PARTIALLY DETERMINES THE QUALITY OF THE WORK.--The
importance of sense training can scarcely be overestimated. Through
his senses, the worker takes in the directions as to what he is to
do, and on the accuracy with which his senses record the impressions
made upon them, depends the mental model which he ultimately
follows, and the accuracy of his criticism of the resulting physical
object of his work. Through the senses, the worker sets his own
task, and inspects his work.
SENSE TRAINING INFLUENCES INCREASE OF EFFICIENCY.--With the
training of the senses the possibility of increased efficiency
increases. As any sense becomes trained, the minimum visable is
reduced, and more accurate impressions become possible.[10] They
lead to more rapid work, by eliminating time necessary for judgment.
The bricklayer develops a fineness of touch that allows him to
dispense with sight in some parts of his work.
SELECTIVE POWER OF SENSES DEVELOPED.--James defines the sense
organs as "organs of selection."[11] Scientific Management so trains
them that they can select what is of most value to the worker.
METHODS OF SENSE TRAINING UNDER SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT.--The
senses are trained under Scientific Management by means of the
various sources of teaching. The instruction card, with its detailed
descriptions of operations, and its accompanying illustrations, not
only tends to increase powers of visualization, but also, by the
close observation it demands, it reduces the minimum visible. The
"visible instruction card," or working model, is an example of
supplementing weak power of visualization. The most available
simple, inexpensive and easily handled device to assist visualizing
is the stereo or three-dimension photograph, which not only serves
its purpose at the time of its use, but trains the eye to see the
third dimension always.
Much training is given to the eye in Scientific Management by
the constant insistence on inspection. This inspection is not
confined to the inspector, but is the constant practice of worker
and foremen, in order that work may be of such a quality as will
merit a bonus.
SENSES THAT ARE MOST UTILIZED BEST TRAINED.--The relative
training given to the various senses depends on the nature of the
work. When the ear is the tester of efficiency, as it often is with
an engineer watching machinery in action, emphasis is laid on
training the hearing. In work where touch is important, emphasis is
on such training as will develop that sense.[12]
VARIATIONS IN SENSE POWER SHOULD BE UTILIZED.--Investigations
are constantly going to prove that each sense has a predominance at
a different time in the age of the child or man. Dottoressa
Montessori's experience with teaching very young children by touch
shows that that sense is able to discriminate to an extraordinary
extent for the first six years of life.[13]
So, also, acute keenness of any sense, by reason of age or
experience should be conserved.[14] Such acuteness is often the
result of some need, and, unless consciously preserved, will vanish
with the need.
PROGRESS IN SUCH TRAINING.--The elementary sense experiences are
defined and described by Calkins.[15] Only through a psychological
study can one realize the numerous elements and the possibility of
study. As yet, doubtless, Scientific Management misses many
opportunities for training and utilizing the senses. But the
standardizing of elements, and the realization of the importance of
more and more intensive study of the elements lends assurance that
ultimately all possibilities will be utilized.
AS MANY SENSES AS POSSIBLE APPEALED TO.--Scientific Management
has made great progress in appealing to as many senses as possible
in its teaching. The importance of the relation between the senses
is brought out by Prof. Stratton.[16]
In teaching, Scientific Management has, in its teachers, animate
and inanimate, great possibilities of appealing to many senses
simultaneously. The instruction card may be