Scope and Contents

This lecture is essentially the same in content as lecture titled Some National Problems of Today: Education, with a shortened introduction.

Scope and Contents Thomson defends examinations, discussing their impartiality, fairness, and showing their importance in a democratic society where individuals progress by merit rather than nepotism. Additionally, Thomson also acknowledges the problems of examinations – namely nerves; chance and luck; time pressures on both examinees and examiners; and the inconsistent relationship between examination performance, the school record, and teachers' own ratings. He discusses possible solutions to...

Scope and Contents In the lecture, Thomson defends the use of examinations, arguing that they are preferable to nepotism. In addition, he identifies the problems of examinations, and how these may or have been resolved, including those of reliability and continuity of standards. Thomson discusses the merits of internal versus external examination, giving examples from Scotland, England and Germany, and referencing some of his own experience both as a member of a School Certificate Examination...

Scope and Contents

Contains Thomson's typed and handwritten notes, and the final published transcript of the lecture.

The lecture compares the English and Scottish education systems both to each other and to the German system. Thomson discusses private and public schools; examinations; the eleven plus; grammar and modern education; religious schools; and methods of teaching, such as the Dalton Plan.

Scope and Contents Thomson outlines some current problems in education, the most pressing of these arising from the raising of the school leaving age to 15. He briefly alludes to how the practical problems of the supply of specialist teachers and of buildings could meet the increased demand, before outlining his opinion on what secondary education should entail. He highlights the need for both vocational and cultural education in schools to ensure pupils of all abilities are prepared for the working world,...

Scope and Contents The lecture regards the problems of examinations at university level, particularly with regards to external and internal examiners, and how these can be resolved. Thomson compares the Scottish system to that of the English, paying particular attention to the examination processes for ordinary degrees in which the Scottish student participates in both the Class Certificate system and the wider examination system of the university; and the English system in which there is a meeting...