International Review of Educational Cinematography (Jan-Dec 1934)
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16
THE CINEMA IN TEACHING
what may be considered a most worth while contribution to the development of this new field of instructional service.
Choosing Subjects. — In view of the continually varying character of the subjects that make up curricula perhaps the most difficult thing is to choose the subjects most suitable to the aims of the scholastic program and the teacher or educationist. This implies a minute and careful work of study and research in all branches of teaching.
Once the field of operations is selected, intensive surveys must be made all the courses of study. Intensive surveys of this kind must be constantly under way if a program of talking pictures production is to be advanced consistently and harmoniously within the sum total of the educational offerings. Outstanding studies of this kind are those by H. A. Gray (Social Science and the Educational Sound Picture in Historical XXIII May 1932 and by Melvin Brodshaug in his Science Survey issued in mimeograph form by Erpi Pictures Consultants Inc. in 1 933). For example, Brodshaug in " Science Survey " listed the following objectives as those which appeared most frequently in the courses of study and other educational pronouncements concerning science to be taught in the elementary schools.
To have a love for nature,
To form the habit of accurate observation and investigation of natural phenomena,
To realize the duty of conserving desirable plant and animal life,
To appreciate the vital place of science in the community and its bearing upon national progress,
To acquire healthful recreational habits through contacts with nature,
To learn reverence for the universe,
To realize the inviolability of nature's laws,
To attain ability in drawing conclusions,
To learn to know a few common plants and animals in relation to environment,
To appreciate beauty in form, color, texture, sound, and nature in general,
To appreciate the references to nature in literature, music and art,
To understand how man is gaining control of his physical and living environment,
To build character,
To know a few phenomena of earth, air and sky,
To acquire a realization of the interrelation of
man, plants, animals and inorganic phenomena.
After the objectives for a field of study have been
ascertained, the selection of a particular topic or
phase of teaching must be made. This selection
should be based very largely upon frequency of appearance in the various courses as well as upon a jury of expert judges in the specialized teaching field. Only on the basis of such an extensive study is it desirable to decide upon the selection of a topic to be produced as a talking picture.
Branches of Teaching. — Once the subject of the film has been chosen, we must decide in what branch or unit it can be used. Here psychological factors come into play in view of the fact that not all films, however and by whom produced, are suitable for all children of all ages and classes.
The choice of the branch and class for the use of the film is one of the most delicate problems facing the educationist and the methodologist. The teaching unit in which the film is placed constitutes a valuable guide for the teacher, when he in his turn is called upon to illustrate all the details of the picture and make such comments as he deems desirable for the pupils.
Scenario of Picture Continuity. — No satisfactory picture can be reproduced except as the result of an intimate analysis of a unit of instruction and the determination of those materials in the unit which lend themselves most constructively to screen and sound reproduction. Special workers must be trained to visualize in advance the relationship between the screen effects and the results obtained from the printed page. This highly technical aspect of production must be subjected to definite standards which define the character of the scenario and the careful grading of teaching devices.
The Study Guide. — It also seems desirable that a study guide should be prepared for teacher and student, or both, which may be utilized by the student before and after the sound picture itself is reviewed. Such a study guide reproduces for the student speech and picture content so that he may have a complete description of the materials which are being presented to him in the picture entity. Such a guide may be amplified with footnotes and references which stimulate further study and significantly contribute to orienting the student in the reality of the subject matter itself.
Value of the Educational Talking Film. — It is only when the rules and standards indicated have been followed that it is possible to consider the real value of the completed product.