The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

334 National Academy of Visual Instruction The Educational Screen and a brief report of them, in the language of Superintendent Wilson, follows: "The programs throughout were excellent. All duties were carried by capable people of experience in the field. At the Tuesday session a brief introductory address on the importance of keeping our visual materials broad'was made by the chairman of the conference, Mr. Wilson. Following the opening of the conference, Mr. Dudley Grant Hays, Director of Visual Education in the Chicago schools, was introduced as chairman of the afternoon. He spoke briefly in reference to the growth and increase in the pedagogical use of visual material. ''The theme of the remaining addresses of this first session was 'Equipping for Greater Concreteness in Education.' This was developed by Superintendent Peter A. Mortenson, of Chicago, who spoke on equipment and the handicaps to its use; by Mrs. A. V. Dorris, Director of Visual Instruction in the San. Francisco State Teachers' College, who spoke on the training of teachers; and by Dr. A. E. Winship, of Boston, who showed that the visual appeal is universal and is irresistible. "The second session of the conference was presided over by Susan M. Dorsey, of the Los Angeles city schools." In opening she spoke very inspirationally of the use of visual materials in community work. "The theme for this session was 'Practice and Theory in Visual Instruction.' Able addresses were made by Professor J. V. Ankeney, of the University of Missouri, and Principal George C. Kyte, of the University Elementary School, Berkeley. A round table dealing with field experiences and answering questions was participated in by Miss A. Loretta Clark, Director of Visual Instruction of Los Angeles city schools. Principal H. O. Welty, of the Lockwood Grammar School, Oakland, and Mr. H. S. Upjohn, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, Los Angeles County. 'At the conclusion of the conference a motion prevailed directing the chairman to appoint a committee to urge the directors to grant the petition presented the year before, asking for the creation of a department of visual instruction in education as a regular department of the N. E. A. This committee consisted of Superintendent Mortenson, of Chicago; Superintendent Dorsey, of Los Angeles; State Superintendent Finegan, of Pennsylvania; Mrs. A. V. Dorris, of San Francisco State Teachers College, and Deputy Superintendent Upjohn, of Los Angeles County. The committee presented the matter to the new Board of Directors at their first meeting on Friday afternoon, July 6th. The directors acted immediately, creating the department as requested. "The creation of this department should mean much for the right guidance of and use on the part of school officials of visual materials. Thus far, the only guidance on the matter was in the main only such material as came from sources with commercial interests. Without doubt, this guidance has been sincere but there is great need that the N. E. A. should further the development of a body of literature setting forth the purposes of and the procedures in the use of visual instruction in education. The organizing of this department will insure regular meetings annually, at which various aspects of this important procedure in teaching will receive fundamental attention, by persons of experience and training." Thus the movement started over a year ago at Boston by Mr. A. W. Abrams and Mr. Dudley Grant Hays in due time and by patient cultivation has resulted in establishing the much desired Department of Visual Instruction in the N. E. A., wherein all teachers and others engaged in promoting visual instruction can function in every way consistent with the time honored ideals of the N. E. A. How to Use Pictures — An Illustration {Concluded from page 331) walls of plastered stone, the other of wood, except the basement. Note the flowers belonging to the nearer one. Are flowers about the house characteristic of Switzerlanti? Picture No. 3: Shingled roof with stones, wood pilesj evergreen trees below, no vegetation above, snow near summit. Conclusion Verbal information is not education. One of the peculiar advantages of the use of visual aids to instruction is the fact that they offer a means of gaining percepts and stimulate thinking. The statements of the notes quoted conr tribute little to either of these ends.