Educational screen & audio-visual guide (c1956-1971])

FILMSTRIPS by Irene F. Cypher Sometimes, as we watch classes in ion, we think how unfortunate it ■hat so many teachers and group (lers expect a filmstrip to "teach." • ■ have yet to see the filmstrip (or any other type of instructional material for that matter) which, by some magical process, does a complete job of teaching anything. \ filmstrip can stimulate interest, sent facts, show a series of scenes .. foreign places or people, outline the steps to take in some scientific process, indicate what to do under certain conditions, etc. But, and this is A hat bothers us, the mere showing of Micli a series of pictures is not "teaching with pictures." There must be discission; there must be time to weigh dill talk about evidence shown; there ist be explanation for some of the Is given; there should be analysis )i details presented. In other words, (^iicre shoidd be an opportunity to consider and talk about the relationship of 'lie visualized presentation to the subt content or scope of an area of ily. Unless we do this, the use of lahzed materials can be meaningss and add little if anything to the ^I'uiy of any subject. So much can be done with visual 1 materials that it makes one sorry see golden opportunities wasted; sted for lack of time given to the Mining of proper introduction and iiscussion, lack of time for viewing UK I reviewing, lack of time allowed quiet consideration of what is be .; viewed. We shoidd be more alert to this and give more time to eonsider itm the way in which we use and pre -' nt materials in learning situations. I he producers are giving more time to ireful attention of what is included I filmstrips; we in turn should give ■|ual time to considering how best to late this material to our own classes. /una; Commtmism in Asia (single nip, black and white; New York ! inies. Education Department, Times ^luare. New York 36, N. Y.; $2..50 ingle strip, $15 for complete monthly ■ lies). The information presented in his filmstrip gives us ample material III which to base good discussion of 1 Hairs in the Orient and in China it 1 1 This is visualized reporting and it ivides a visual newspaper for stu dents to use in their consideration of world affairs. Interest is centered on why communism in China is a threat to world peace; on the relations of the Peiping government to the Soviet Union and the effect of this relationship on free or democratic countries in the Orient. Good for world history and social science study in the middle and upper grades. Conservation (3 sets of 3 filmstrips per set, color; produced by Conservation Foundation and distributed by Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, 1150 WUmette Ave., Wilmette, lU.; $54 for complete set, $18 per set of three filmstrips. The overall design of this series is to present the concept of Balance, Demand and Supply of natiu'al resources. The presentation has been divided into units suitable for the middle grades, the junior high school and the senior high school. At the elementary level we are given an idea of what is needed in order to provide man with food, clothing, shelter and the necessities of life. The junior high set carries the story further by showing why basic materials mav not be available and how nature's supply is depleted by constant use. At the senior high level the story is carried still further by showing us how the scientist, biologist and the chemist are working to provide artificial or snythetic materials to help supply needed items. This is a very good, common sense approach to the problem of why man needs natural resources, why we shoidd conserve these resources, and why scientific research and experimentation are so important today. The visuals are interesting, and the material well planned to evoke study and discussion. French For Beginners (6 units of materials; produced by Teaching Audials and Visuals, 250 West 57th St., New York, 19, N. Y.; $33 per unit of filmstrip, record, wall chart, pin pointer and teacher's manual). The l)oy or girl who is just beginning to study a new language needs to have things to look at, sounds to hear and pictures that will attract and hold his eye while learning to pronounce new words and phrases. This series is carefully planned to give the begiimer just such help, in terms of good clear pictures, good clear pronunciation of new words, and an explanation of what French boys and girls do in the classrooms, at home and on trips to see points of interest in their communities. This is language teaching in terms of "language using" and it is well designed to meet the achial needs of pupils. Perhaps if this type of material is used to introduce a pupil to language study, he will learn to use (Continued on page 33) KEYSTONE now offers you . . . PROTECT-A-PRINT LEADER • Avoid Misthreading Damage! • Avoid Film Scratch! PROTECT-A-PRINT LEADER is designed specifically to prevent print damage from dirty projectors and careless aiisthreading. Its special coating automaticaUy cleans dirty projectors and its extra toughness automatically avoids misthreading damage. Intensive tests, and the experience of hundreds of users, have proved that PROTECT-A-PRINT LEADER is highly effective and thoroughly safe! Your satisfaction is unconditionally assured. Write for further Information or a demonstration by our Local Representative: KEYSTONE VIEW CO., Meadville, Pa. Since 1892, Producers of Superior Visual Aids Exclusive Distributor of Protect-a-Print Leader to the Educational Field. iM CATioNAL Screen and Audiovisual Guide — January, 1961 31