The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

February, 194} TEACHING GUIDES. Visual Learning Guides— National Audio-Visual Council, Inc., 160 N. LaSallo St., Chicago, III. Professor John Guy Fowlkes of the University of Wisconsin, Depart- ment of Kducation, editor. Of making many "guides" there is no end, supposedly, but perhaps the end has come. Something close to the ideal "guide" has been achieved. We wish that all teachers, who for years have been laboriously using or conscientiously rejecting the "teaching guides" made to accompany educational films, would examine thoughtfully the Visual Learning Guides put out by "The National Audio-Visual Council." Forty-six are ready, made to accompany fdms produced for Pre-Induction Courses, on Shop Procedures and War Training by the U. S. Office of Education (16 films), U. S. Army (7 films), U. S. Navy (5 films), Erpi Classroom Films (18 films). The Visual Learning Guide is a four-page folder, letterhead size, attractive in format, logical in arrangement and scien- tifically correct in content. The teacher and each student should have the guide in hand in advance. The first page is for use before the film is seen. It does three things: (1) Tells what the film is about—in a few brief and stimulating para- graphs; (2) Tells what to look for in the film—four to ten single-line questions; (3) Lists words and phrases that may be new to the student and need to be thoroughly understood before seeing the film—involving brief discussion, looking-up, and reflection. The class is then ready to see the film—l)efore opening the folder to page two. Promptly after viewing the film, the student fills out the test on pages two and three—fifty questions in- cluding Multiple Choice, True or False, and fill-in blanks for single words. This effort at immediate recall, covering all de- tails of learning expected from the viewing, aids greatly in transforming fleeting impressions into memory fixations. Class check-up of the tests permits self-scoring by the student and impressive correction of his errors. Page four sui)plics ample follow-up. "What to Talk About" offers four to eight stimulating questions arising out of the film. "What to Do" gives four to eight suggestions for pertinent activity. And, finally, "References" supply ample reading sources for enrichment of the learning and for carrying through additional research along any line inspired by the film experience. The Visual Learnnu) Guides are not compilations or concoc- tions contrived as added inducement to film sales. They will increase film values enormously. They have been thought through. They are as notable for what they omit as for what they include. They are clear value without waste—the product of careful thinking, of real scholarship, of sound common-sense. The 46 guides so far have been made specifically for films in highest demand in the present emergency for war training pur- poses. But they are models of what should be done, when peace comes again, for every film that deserves to be used at all in American education. The present series should find universal use wherever the war-time films are .shown. Success for this service now may assure a greater service still when the war-clouds have passed. N. L. G. SOURCES OF INFORMATION Mathematics Visual and Teaching Aids —Compiled by Dr. E. H. C. Hildebrandt and Dr. Lili Heiniers, New Jersey State Teachers College, Montclair, N. J.—The Library, Visual Aids Service, N. J. State Teachers College, Upper Montclair, N. J. 25c. 15pp. niinieo. Filmslides, charts, models and pamphlets on the various aspects of mathematics education. \ revised listing of motion pictures to supplement the list which appeared in the Mathematics Teaiher for January, 1941 is in preparation. Many of the titles listed refer to war-time matheTnatics and economics. List of Films Available to Civilian Defense Councils — U. S. Oftice of Civilian Defense, Washington, D. C. — November, 1942. The .subjects in this compilation have been approved by the national Oflice of Civilian Defense for use with local workers in the field. It is an excellent basic list, but one which must be supplemented constantly because of new films being released. Page 69 HAL ROACH ^ecOti^ed, Enduring, wholesome "hits" suitable for school presentation on 16 mm Sound Films. JUST RELEASED! OF MICE AND MEN Fi'aturitig Durgcxs Meredith, Betty Field, Lon Chancy, Jr. Dramatic picturization of Jolin Steinbeck's exceptional novel and prize-winnit>g stage play. Tensely portrays migratory farm workers' struggles for existence ii> a ceaseless search for work. A CHUMP AT OXFORD l-eaturinij Stun Laurel and Oliver Hardy The riotously funny escapades of two lowly street cleaners who long for the distinction of a college education. Presto! The wish comes true^—the hoys arrive at sedate Oxford—where a bevy of amazingly ridiculous adventures make them really relieved to he bounced out of college. Also Available THE HOUSEKEEPER'S DAUGHTER with Joan Bennett, Adolphe Menjou THERE GOES MY HEART with Fredric March, Virginia Bruce TOPPER TAKES A TRIP with Constance Bennett. Roland Young ZENOBIA (An Ekphant Nvver Forgtts) xvith Oliver Hardy, Harry Langdon CAPTAIN FURY with Brian Aherne, Victor McLaglen OTHER OUTSTANDING "HITS" SOON TO FOLLOW ORDER FROM YOUR FILM LIBRARY TODAY Write for Free Catalogue listing many other educational and recreational 16 mm sound films. POST PICTURES CORP. 723 Seventh Avenue Dept. 10 New York, N. Y. 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