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October, 1923
Visual Education in Michigan
383
the most practicable method of correcting this unfamiHarity, we decided this year to train as many as possible of the students — especially the Seniors — in the Normal Schools* of the State. This was done by offering in each Normal a short course in Visual Instruction. The course had three immediate aims — to acquaint the teachersto-be with :
1. The theory and technic of using films in teaching:
2. How to secure films of various kinds, and how to take care of them;
3. How to operate and care for a motion picture projector.
In two Normals the course was practically limited to Seniors, while in the other two (smaller) schools the enrollment was thrown open to all classes. There was no credit given other than a letter of recognition from the Department to those who successfully completed the course. Owing to this work being superimposed on an already full schedule, the lectures had to be given to six diflferent sections of students, meeting at different hours of the day. There was time for eight lectures to each section. In addition to the lectures and some prepared material given out in printed or mimeographed form, each student who so desired was given from one to two hours of individual coaching in the operation of a projector and the physical care of films. Under these conditions it is interesting to note that the total lecture enrollment ap
*In the University of Michigan, courses of training in the use of slides and films are not yet announced and may be postponed until some time during the coming school year. The same applies to the Michigan Agricultural College.
proximated 750, of whom two-thirds learned to inspect and repair film and to operate a motion-picture projector.
By announcement through school superintendents and commissioners, all teachers in adjacent areas were invited to round tables held on two different Saturdays at each Normal School. While the response to the Normal Course offering was extremely encouraging, the response to the Round Table invitation was almost negligible — due probably to the fact that two urgent letters to each Superintendent with enrollment cards enclosed, are not enough advertisement to bring good results.
We beheve Michigan is the pioneer State in offering such work in all its Normal Schools. Whether that is true, or not, we have gained useful experience in carrying the work thus far.
In concluding this brief summary of a half year's effort in paving the way for the proper use of films for teaching purposes in Michigan, several probabilities may be stated. The scheme of training should include courses in the University as well as the Normals. Demonstration lessons, together with individual training of teachers, should be conducted during certain weeks in the school systems of the larger towns and •cities. No reliance should be placed on the response of teachers invited from a given area to spend one Saturday at an Institute or Round Table held at a convenient central point. Suf^cient time should be given to each course in Visual Instruction to require each student to practice each principal feature of technic about which instruction is given.