Educational film magazine; (19-)

VISUAL EDUCATION FOR EVERY SCHOOL EVERYWHERE That Is Henry Ford's Aim in Building Up the Ford Educational Library—40 Subjects Available— Low Rentals for Weekly Runs By Beatrice Barrett M' "OTION pictures in every schoolroom in the coun- try have for some time been the dream of all educators, and there is no question which has been more widely and more thoroughly discussed than this one of motion pictures which would be practical for use in the schoolroom, not to supplant textbooks but to supplement them. In many localities the Board of Education has realized the great benefit of visual education, but has been unable to install it in the schools because there were not enough films of the right sort to be obtained, and the price was prohibitive on most of the films which could be obtained. It was to counteract these two factors working against the good which could be done by visual education that Henry Ford conceived the idea of having films made which could be used in the classrooms as a supplement to text- books. And with the same idea which rules all his activi- ties Henry Ford decided that these films must be given to the schools of the country at a price which would make it possible for every school from the smallest to the largest to have motion pictures. In creating the Ford Educational Library the plan was not to gather a few films on heterogeneous subjects which would be used sporadically for the general edification of the school as a whole gathered in an assembly Hall, but to establish the foundation for a reference library of mo- tion picture films to be used by the schools just as they use their reference library of books. For example, when the teacher was ready to present to her class some special period in history she would look in her catalog of refer- ence films and order from the motion picture library that film which covered the subject she was presenting, and use this film in her classroom in connection with the teaching of the subject to her group of scholars. Has the Dream Come True? This plan may seem almost like a dream to the teachers who have long struggled to make inadequate words de- scribe some subject which it seems almost impossible for the student to understand. But the dream has now come true. The teacher is no longer hampered by lack of the proper equipment. In a few minutes as the subject is unfolded on the screen before him the pupil will get a better idea, a clearer understanding of the subject than he ever could get from a verbal or a written description. The films which make up the current series of the Ford EUlucational Library have been prepared by leading pro- fessors of the universities of the United States. Each of the professors chosen for this work has had wide practical experience in visual education in the schools and in in- structing teachers how to get the best from visual edu^ tion in their schoolrooms, and each professor handles special subject for the library. The Ford library is building for the future, and ea film is prepared with great care with the idea that it to form one of the units in a permanent motion picti reference library. Forty subjects have been prepared 1 the first year. They cover history, civics, agricultu regional and industrial geography. These will be add to as fast as the films can be prepared and made rea in the laboratory and every year will see the library grc ing larger to cover the subjects which educators deman( The plan was to give to the pedagogic world a prodi which would be within the reach of all, and Fitzpatrick McElroy of Chicago have kept this in mind while work! out their plan of distribution. The plan as worked ( makes every educational distributing center a headquart for the Ford Educational Library. They are to be the c todians of the films and can distribute them to the scho as they see fit. The centers may buy the film outright a then distribute it free to the schools. To enable them become the center of this educational movement the pr has been made five' cents a foot, and as the reels run abi one thousand feet in length this means that for fifty d lars the state can have this film for its own and send from one school to another as it sees fit. Fifty Cents a Day Rental For the convenience of the schools for wjiom the e cational distributing centers are not easily accessible, c( mercial headquarters have been established where the fil can be rented for fifty cents a day, or $2.50 for the sch week of five days. For this small sum the film is the pr erty of the school for the entire school week. It can shown to every class in the school if desired. It can run again and again for the pupils until its subject ma: is indelibly graven upon their minds. But the making of authoritative films and placing tl; in centers where they are within reach of all, and mak the price so low that the slimmest pocketbook can co it, is not the end of the service. There is one more ficulty to be met. Many teachers have not yet used mot pictures in their classrooms. They do not know how use them so as to get the highest advantage from th But this point has not been forgotten in the plan of library. When the professor makes the outline for film he at the same time plans a synopsis to go with I film for the use of the teacher. In this synopsis is gi a thorough outline of the subject treated; aids are ! gested for the presentation of the film; and a list of erence books on the subject which will help to make instructor thoroughly conversant with the subject bel presenting it to the pupils. Also a list of the titles jus they appear on the film is given so that the teacher kn just what points are brought out in the picture. 8