The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

October, 1923 403 School Department Conducted by Marie Goodenough School Room Projection Otis O. Department of Physics and Electricity, THE variety of things that can happen in school-room projection may easily turn a period of instruction into an embarrassing loss of time, if thought is not given to perfecting a smooth-running organization. Extension cords may be broken, plugs lost or out of order, fuses burned out, film broken or wound backward. These are just a few of the items to check up before time to show the picture. A few well-meaning but ultra conservative teachers will offer opposition in every school. However, if carefully selected films are shown to the proper groups of students, without unnecessary loss of time, this opposition will be gradually overcome. Our principal appointed a committee of two on visual education for the school. Within a short time we formed a division of labor, and have kept rigidly within our own spheres of activity. Teachers desiring to run a film or slides must confer with a certain member of the committee, leaving with him the title of the picture, the date wanted, the periods to be shown, and the room to be used. This committee member then attends to the delivery of films, etc, from the Visual Education Department so that they appear promptly at the school. At least twentyfour hours before the presentation of the film, a copy of this memoranda is sent to the other member of the committee. Ten boys have been trained to operate the Painter Polytechnic High School, Los Angeles portable projection machines. These boys were carefully selected from the electricity department, and recommended for training by the second member of the committee, because of their initiative, dependability, and knowledge of electricity. Two of the most dependable boys have been placed in charge of different phases of the work. One is responsible for all equipment and the condition of rooms, and for filling the day's program with operators. Care is taken that a boy does not miss too many classes. The projectors are oiled and inspected, films inspected, curtains, screens, fuses and cords looked after before the time to show pictures. As soon as the tardy bell rings the blinds are pulled down and the picture starts. A "Y" connection has been arranged on a cord, with plugs to fit the projectors. This allows two projectors to be threaded, focused and connected side by side, and as one reel is finished the second machine is started without a break in time. The other boy previews films at the Visual Education Department bringing a synopsis of each to the first mentioned committee member. Our record week is forty-two periods of pictures. During several of these periods we were running films in three different rooms at the same time. Our average week will run between twelve and fifteen periods. Film Reviews LITERATURE William Tell (Vitagraph)— The dramatic story of this Swiss legendary hero, re-enacted — as is periodically done — by the villagers of his native valley in the Swiss Alps. Prefacing the action are some characteristic scenes of Switzerland and Tell's country, and some representative types of people. The drama begins with the Swiss returning to their homes from the mountain hiding places. Baumgarten encounters fishermen and begs a refuge from the tyrannical governor. The former refuse, fearing persecution, but Tell appears and comes to his aid. The story is followed through in pantomime by these sincere villagers, though it must be confessed not too skillfully from an artistic standpoint, for the gestures are a bit methodical, stereotyped and