Visual Education (Jan 1923-Dec 1924)

48 Visual Education Seeing Things in School Work Charles C. Gray Principal, Emerson School, Seattle, Washington THE motion picture, like the automobile, has passed through the stage of novelty in the popular mind and has come into that portion of its destiny v herein — although not yet so fully as in the case of the former — it is established in a real and indispensable service in our business and social economy. The telegraph, the telephone and the phonograph had, each in its turn, a parallel history : first their popular acceptance as a novelty, then everyday service and recognition as an improved and finished instrument for meeting a crying need in human welfare. Today the radio has succeeded the motion picture as the public's latest novelty and amusement, and no doubt it, too, will soon come into its rights as a means of meeting a recognized private and public need. From Toy to Tool In its first developments the automobile answered the public's ever-repeated cry for speed, entertainment and convenience. Later came the prosaic truck to relieve the burdens of the laboring world. So with the motion picture : It lias performed its initial service in providing an amusement-seeking public with a new form of pleasure. Today it is entering upon the "truck" stage of its development, getting clown to the business of in suring better, more thorough and more efficient teaching in the schools of the land. Convinced of the automobile's ability to speed its passengers about the country, the public for a long time refused to believe that the heralded truck could ever overcome its evident or apparent handicaps and actually function in the heavy tasks of the business world. In like manner, the popular attitude acclaimed in huzzas the recreational uses of the motion picture, but is even yet in opposing or dubious mind as to its promises to expedite and practicalize the actual teaching of our boys and girls. Getting Started, Despite Opposition Almost any school community will represent the general public in miniature. That of the Emerson School is but an example. When, at this time last year, we were discussing in Parent-Teacher meetings the advisability of purchasing a motion-picture machine for use in the school, the question evoked a variety of attitudes. Some were decidedly in favor of the innovation; some were honestly doubtful of its practical value in classroom work; some were alarmed lest its use result in distraction and loss of attention ; and some opposed spending the taxpayers' money for "another fad," and labeled the plan as just another "extravagance" in an "already over-diversified school." The final vote taken, however, showed the party of the first opinion prevailing. Accordingly, the principal and three brave women assumed all financial responsibility by borrowing the necessary money on their joint and several promissory notes. In January a machine was purchased and its use begun. A series of bi-weekly entertainments, with previewed films, was scheduled for the rest of the school year, and such "educationals" as were available were interspersed free of cost to the school. The entertainment programs were given the school at the close of the day, and then were repeated in the evening for the public and resident high school students. On the first of June, we made our payment for the machine and took up our note. Some "Standard Objections" Consistent antagonism to the use of the machine in the school found expression from the "bitter-enders" throughout the semester. Complaints against the use of school time for showing pictures were frequently voiced. The superintendent's office was occasionally petitioned to protect the patrons from some announced imposition upon the patience of a watchful school-public. Some parents "didn't send their children to school to be mm :3*=, SCENES FROM "THE COFFEE INDUSTRY IN COSTA RICA" The coffee "cherries" cluster prettily along the stems, against waxy, darkgreen leaves. Here the coffee nibs, or "beans," have been shoveled into heaps, to dry in the hot sun. Primitive methods are still used to bring the coffee to market. Where is Henry Ford?