Visual Education (Jan 1923-Dec 1924)

16 Visual Education Why We Use Movies" Agricultural Extension — Farm Bureaus and County Agents We get excellent pictures with our portable projector and the people enjoy good films. The only place where we have shown twice, the crowd was more than doubled. The people seem more interested when motion pictures are shown. — John P. Burdette, -County Agent Charles County, Maryland It is recommended that we urge all our extension workers to pay more attention to visual instruction, because of its effectiveness in driving home the desired lessons while creating favorable sentiment for extension work. ■ — Committee of Extension Specialists College of Agriculture Auburn, Alabama There is a widespread demand for the new method of educating the farmer and his family in subjects dealing directly with agriculture and home life on the farm. The motion picture, through its magical touch of visualization, is able to make clear things which often are difficult to explain. Agricultural colleges, farm bureaus, breeders' associations and community organizations figure that no program is complete without at least one good movie touching on an important phase of the organization's work. — H. J. Metcalf Iowa State College Ames, Iowa Americanization Work There is no activity through which the American Legion can accomplish more good than that of community movies. Our interpretation of community movies is the utilization of movr ing pictures in advancing through visual entertainment and education a better appreciation of good citizenship and clean living. — Earle A. Meyer, Director American Legion Film Service Indianapolis, Ind. Churches and Sunday Schools The motion-picture is of inestimable value in spreading the message of the church. Outside of the Bible itself, I believe it is the most powerful agency for creating and maintaining interest in Christian activities. I believe every church should look on a motion-picture projector as a necessary part of the equipment of the church plant, because a good picture leaves an impression that it is impossible to obtain with' the written or the spoken word. — Rae D. Henkle Managing Editor The Christian Herald At our Sunday evening service we had first a scenic prologue, after which was given a twenty-minute address upon the text, "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God," touching upon many points to be shown in the film. The motion picture, "The Earth and Worlds Beyond," was used for a closing. I think we all had a new realization of the glory of God as manifested in His works. — Howard A. Talbot First Presbyterian Church De Pere, Wis. Safety First Children "get" visual instruction thirteen times more quickly than auditory education. Therefore, we present the major part of our lessons on "Safety First" through the medium of the blackboard and the motion picture. Visual instruction is readily grasped by even kindergarten pupils. A vivid film portraying the cost of carelessness impresses upon the children the value of such mottoes as "Stop, look and listen," "Be sure you're right," and "Never hurry." The picture shows many accidents which have maimed boys and girls for life, simply because of thoughtlessness and neglect of traffic rules. —IT. H. Matthieson Traffic Engineer Los Angeles, Calif. Shop Training You have in the camera a means of unparalleled penetration for seizing upon the most minute details in any mechanical or industrial operation. There is no limit to its use in picturing the adept workman at any task. His motions may be analyzed at any possible moment; the camera may be halted in order to reveal the innermost secrets of his skill; the picture may be repeated so^ often that the most backward learner may become expert from constant study of the same motions of skill. The immense importance of this contribution to greater advance in industry it would be hard to exaggerate. Here isgiven to the humblest learner or the most backward workman the opportunity to make himself as skillful as the best. In adding to his skill he is certain to add to his earning capacity. By becoming a more effective worker he adds a greater share to the general wealth. In that wealth he becomes a more liberal partaker, in that he hasadded to his own wages greater power to buy in a market which he has lowered by his own efficiency. — James J. Davis, Secretary U. S. Department of Labor Washington, D. C. Welfare Work The object of showing motion pictures in prisons, reformatories and other custodial institutions is to keep the men in touch with the world outside and tosatisfy the social instinct. The news pictorial is never more appreciated than here. Almost all corrective institutions, in the United States use films. . . . As to the general recreational value of motion pictures, I consider them a safeguard against the ills men are heir to. We have elaborate data on stress and' strain for mechanical engines, but where are the facts on the stress and strain of human beings? The motion picture has filled the need of something in the life of all classes that will givethem relief from the monotony of everyday life. — R. K. Atkinson Russell Sage Foundation New York City Y. M. C. A. Secretary of Labor Davis has asked' the American Y. M. C. A. to get the immigration film, "Peter Points the Way," before all the civic organizations of the country, so the business men of America may have first-hand knowledge of the actual conditions at Ellis Island and what the government affords the immigrant upon his arrival in the? United States. — H. P. Scott, Secretary Y. M. C. A., Billings, Mont.