The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

398 The Educational Scree Official Department of The Visual Instruction Association of America OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD President — Ernest L. Crandall, Director of Lectures and Visual Instruction in the New York City Schools. Vice-President — A. G. Balcom, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Newark, New Jersey. Recording Secretary — Don Carlos Ellis, formerly Director of Motion Picture Division of United States Department of Agriculture. Treasurer — George P. Foute, 71 West 23rd St., New York City. Corresponding Secretary — Rowland Rogers, Instructor in Motion Picture Production at Columbia University. John H. Finley, of the Editorial Staff .of the New York Times, formerly President of the College of the City of New York, and Commissioner of Education of the State of New York. George D. Strayer, Professor of Education and Director of the Division of Field Study, Institute of Research, Teachers College, Columbia University. Susan B. Dorsey, Superintendent of Schools, Los Angeles, California. Olive Jones, of the N. E. A. Board of Trustees, Principal of Public School 120 and Annexes, New York City. This department is conducted by the Association to present items of interest on visual education to members of the Association and the public. The Educational Screen assumes no responsibility for the views herein expressed. The Child and the Commercial Moving Picture* By Olive M. Jones Principal, P. S. 120 and Annexes, New York City. THE subject assigned to me calls to my mind the introduction of any activity or equipment i: at least five divisions, five different points the schools two conditions must first exist: 1 of view from which it might be considered. Secrecy in regard to its introduction. 2. Th The first is probably occasioned by the use of possibility of profit inherent in its introductior the word "commercial," which has come to have Neither of these two conditions exist and righ an unpleasant connotation in the thought of people handling by authorities together with open co more specificaly interested in the development of ^p^^.^j,,, between the professional and the com the educational values of moving pictures. Per • 1 • ^ . -n ^ . n t .i c^«^ii ju iv^i .1 . . mercial interests will effectually prevent both, sonally, 1 have little sympathy or patience w th a . t .u . .u t. 1 c„^u ^.-o* 4. u ^ T . ■ r ^s to secrecy. In the past there have beei such distinctions, but I accept it for present use in . this discussion. scandals in regard to the introduction or use o The suspicion of commercialism in connection '"^^^"^ materials where some evidence of impropei with the relations of managers and producers of P'^^^"^^ ^^^"^^^ to be obtainable. These scandal: films with professional advocates of moving pic ""^""^ ^^"""^ through furtive agents of certain con tures for use in visual education can be dismissed '''''■"' ""^^"'^ ^"'"^'''^ connections with superin with a very few words. I believe that it has t^"^^"^^ °^ prmcipals. In the field of visual edu little foundation in fact and no basis except the ''^^'°" '''' '^'^''^^^ ^""'^^^ ""^ "^'^^ ^^ permitted tc difficulties of unbelief and suspicion always ^""^^^ ^" ^° ^^^ ^^ *^^ influence of the Nationa attached to what is new. Education Association can prevent or expose it For commercialism, in the sense of undue 01 Competition must be open to all. Closed lists anc unjust or illicit profit, to exist in connection with ^^^P^'^^^ should not be permitted. Membershif in organizations interested in the betterment of .h;^Na?to'Tcou'rj1f='E*ucafio"„ ^^SS, fdt"a?io„' "''""' '^"'^''°" ""<* "^ '"'" P™<luction general!, Association, July 5, 1923. must be Open to producers and teachers both. Tlt<