The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Page 30 The Educational Screen The Literature in Visual Instruction {Concluded from page 20) government, of local industry, the effect of housing on delinquency, agencies at work on crime prevention. With respect to public welfare, the group found the film "Three Counties Against Syphilis" a graphic presentation of that particular problem. These and many other activities helped these high school students to un- derstand some of the grave problems which their generation must meet. Use of Newer Types of Instructional Materials—(In Twelfth Yearbook. Dept. of Supervisors and Directors of Instruction of the N.E.A.. 1940. Chap. XIV)—Lillian .\. Lamoreau.v, Direc- tor of Curriculum, Santa Barbara, Cal. Good concrete examples of use are drawn from the experiences of that school system in cooperating with Charles Hoban and his evaluation of films study. Social Effects of Films A Unit on Propaganda Analysis—Fen- ton A. Gage— Social Education, 4: 484-8, November, 1940. This helpful guide to a study of the ways in which communication agencies affect our opinions gives special attention to the role of the motion picture and radio. The Commission on Human Relations: Its Work and Relation to the Defense of Democracy—Alice \. Kelihcr, Xevv York University— Progressive Educa- tion, 17:497-504, November, 1940. The production of the series of short films now distributed as the "Human Re- lations Series" is one of tl;c outstandini; achievements of the Progressive Educa tion Association's Commission on Human Relations. There are over SO subjects covering the range of human behavior from the young child in his family, to the older child and his group, the youn.a person choosing his life work, and so on. The films are now especially significant for the defense of democracy. To live successfully in a democracy one must be able to take responsibility, to make well thoughtout decisions, to stand on one's own feet, to cooperate in solving community problems—to have ;i strong personality. The overburdened, anxiety-ridden, insc-ure and poorly edu- cated are the first to seek dictators who relieve them of making decisions and tal'- ing responsibility for intelligent plan- ning and cooperation. The incidents de- picted in the films can successfully be used to bring about an understanding that results in wholesome personality. The films are now available to schools, with helpful study guides and stenographic accounts of previous student discussion.^. Maps The Use of Maps in the Classroom— Arthur Carthew, Los Angeles City College — The Business Education World, 21:223, November, 1940. A timely discussion of the ways in which maps found in newspapers, maga- zines and almanacs should be used; also the importance of the automobile road map. The Map as An Educational Instrument —George T. Renner, Teachers Col- lege. Columbia University — Social Education, 4:477-82, November. 1940. The rea.son why the map is given less attention in these days of sound films is not that it is less important, but that it is misunderstood. They are used more often on public buildings, at fairs and in popular exhibits for mere decorative, semi artistic rather than for educational purposes. Maps help to replace a vague concept of location, space, distance in our view of our local, state, national or inter- national community by one that is clear, systematic and economical. We can learn to use map symbols in our mind, just as we use word symbols for think- ing. Ten rules for using maps in the teaching of social studies are given. Teacher Training Some First Steps—W. Gavle Starnes— .'Scholastic, 37: 10-T December 16. 1940 Some sound advice "to find ways and means which will encourage teachers to utilize these (audio-visual aids) mate- rials in such a way that their pupils will derive the maximum benefit from their use." The three steps suggested are: 1) Create in teachers and administrators a realization of the need for in-service teacher education in the use of audio- visual aids; 2) Have at least one person in the school who is thoroughly trained: 3) Hold a meeting of all teachers in the school; 4) Conduct a second meeting for those teachers who are interested. Care should be taken not to move too rapidly in the development of the program. Libraries and Visual Aids New Aids for Familiar Purposes—Mary K. Townes, Teachers College, Colum- bia University, N. Y.— A.L.A. Bulletin, 34:691-4 Dec, 1940 A review of the trends in the devel- opment of scientific aids to learning that involve the transmission of knowledge. An interestingly-written summary of ways in which the library can serve as a vital- ized center for adult education through films, phonograph records, slides, film- strips and the like. Pictures Pictures in a Small Library—Carl J. Gigani, Illinois State Library— Wilson Library Bulletin, 15:225-9 Nov., 1940 Gives helpful advice on the principles of selection, sources and techniques of mounting, labeling and filing of flat pic- tures. Pictures Teach History—Clarence Steg- meir, Harvey, 111.— The Social Studies, 31:298, November, 1940. Art pictures were transferred to the walls of a shop room and converted to a frieze that depicted scenes of .\merican history. The pictures used are colored copies of famous originals and are very accurate in details. Equipment Movie Projectors. Consniucrs Union Re- ports. 5:no.ll:lS Nov. 1940 Ratings of standard 16mm. film pro- jectors. Commercial Motion Picture Production with 16mm Equipment — John A. Maurer— Journal ol the Society ol .Motion Picture Engineers. 35:437-465, November. 1940. Most of the commerciallv-made 16mm educational and business sound films are still photographed in 35nnn and reduced to 16mm for projection, but the rapid technical jjrogress made in lOmm sound recording during the past few years has stinudated direct 16inin production with very satisfying results and at astonish- ingly reduced cost. This paper, presented last spring at the SMPE meeting, dis- cusses the apparatus available for direct 16mm production, the film types that are in use, the film laboratory services avail- able, and the methods used by direct 16mm producers. Particular attention is given to the Kodachronic process as used • in commercial film production. Direct 16nmi recording is of special value when much of the photography has to be done away from studio facilities. Sources of Materials Free or Inexpensive Geographic Mate- rials—Frederick K. Branom, Chicago Teacliers College— Chicago .'schools Journal, 22 :26 Sept.-Oct., 1940 An alphabetical listing of pamphlets and other aids helpful for the teaching of geography. The criteria used by the author for inclusion were: he had ex- amined the material and found that it ccmtained valuable information; the mate- rial was available to teachers. Film Information Service—a month- ly bulletin listing new commercial and industrial films or selected older films for school programs. Subscription $1.00 a year. Each subscriber will be privi- leged to write regarding film problems. -Address Film Information Service, 535 Hearst Tower Bldg., Baltimore, Md. Filmo Visual Review—Quarterly—Bell & Howell Company—1817 Larchmont Ave., Chicago. I5ell & Howell's new 8-page quarterly publication is a newsy bulletin, which aims to serve visual educators more com- pletely than the Filino Topics department "Motion Pictures in Education" could do within its space limitations. The first issue of the new organ features an article by W. Gayle Starnes. "Looking into the Future." which discusses the role of mo- tion pictures in education. There is a short article on the use of the film bv athletic coaches, and departments entitled "Notes from the Screening Room," "For Operators Only," and "New Visual Edu- cation Tools." Bell & Howell state that all schools and educators previously receiving Filmo Topics have been placed on the mailing list for Filmo Visual Review.