The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Page 218 The Educational Screen Department of Visual Instruction Notes New Zone Officers Some of the D.V.I, zones have held elections recently, which resulted in a few newcomers to office. Zone I continues with Mr. Wheeler as President, but Miss Dorothy A. Allard of the Reading, Massachusetts, Public Schools is the new Secretary-Treasurer. New Officers of Zone III are: President—Mr. H. B. Allen, West Virginia University; Morgantown ; Sec- retary-Treasurer—Mr. L. M. Lash, Henry Ford School, Dearborn, Michigan. Donald W. McCavick, University of Texas, Austin, is the new Secretary-Treasurer for Zone IX. D.V.I. Members Serving the Government Lt. L. W. Cochran, formerly president of Zone IV, writes that he is now attached to the Thirteenth Naval District, Seattle, Washington, as Audio-Visual Train- ing Officer for the forces afloat. Lt. Donald K. Lewis, who had to resign as Secretary- Treasurer of Zone V when called to service in the U. S. Naval Reserve last December, is supervising the use of audio-visual aids in the naval training schools of Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. That trio who last reported from the AAF School of Applied Tactics, Orlando, Florida—namely, Lt. Godfrey M. Elliott, Lt. Don White, and Captain H. A. Gray—have been transferred to the Training Aids Division, AAF, 1 Park Avenue, New York City. Mr. C. R. Reagan, who has been serving as Senior Educational Film Adviser for the Bureau of Motion Pictures, Office of War Information, is carrying on the work of stimulating maximum effective use of war films throughout the Southeast, Southwest and Pacific Coast. His headquarters are located at 1003 Mercantile Bank Bldg., Dallas, Texas. Summer Courses in Visual Instruction {Supplementing April and May lists) California University of Southern Calif., Los Angeles June 28-July 30 Introduction to Audio-Visual Education; Educational Use and Appreciation of Films (2 each) Clara Pike Georgia Georgia State Woman's College, Valdosta June 7-July 15 Visual Aids in Education (5 qr.) E. W. Phelan Indiana Ball State Teachers College, Munice June 8-July 9; July P-Au?. 13 Laboratory Course in Audio-Visual Education Evelyn Hoke Oklahoma The University of Oklahoma, Norman May 31-July 27 Visual Aids in Education (2) Thurman White Pennsylvania Thiel College, Greenville June 7-July 23 Visual Education (2) N. G. Gebert South Carolina University of South Carolina, Columbia June 8-25 Audio-Visual Education Workshop (3) W. H. Ward Texas Texas College of Arts and Industries, Kingsville July 12-Aug. 21 Visual and Auditory Aids in Education (3) H. W. Andersen Wisconsin Marquette University, Milwaukee June 17-July 30 Problems in Visual Education (2) G. E. Vander Beke FILM REVIEWS "Use and Core of the Filmo Sound Projector" Here is a very new picture. The first finished print happened to be ready the day before our June issue deadline. We chanced to be at the Bell and Howell Laboratories that day and chanced upon the first showing. This review is at least timely. This is a true example of the single-purpose film. It aims at one objective, to show and tell how to use and care for one particular projector. It does not sprawl its appeal, seeks no "general interest," attempts no "story" punch, and excludes all distractions, both visual and aural. The "sound" matches the picture accurately, appropriately, valuably, with vocal explana- tions synchronized exactly with what the eye is seeing. It is an instructional film built expressly to teach one skill to the ones who need it, and it succeeds splendidly. The first part of the film demonstrates every detail of prep- aration for projection, from removal of film from can through cable connections to light source, threading, focussing, checking, to final switch—on of light, motor and sound, plus final rewind procedure. The second part—perhaps even more important for amateur projectionists—is devoted to "trouble," its prevention as well as cure. All elements in proper care of mechanism are clearly shown, cleaning, necessary take-down, care of lenses, location and handling of all parts, etc. And finally "trouble- shooting," perhaps the high spot in learning interest. Replace- ment and adjustment of light bulbs is simple, but the hunt for "sound" trouble is almost exciting. The various potential causes are checked, one by one, and finally the methodical testing of the exciter lamp and amplifying tubes reveals the culprit. If the would-be projectionist cannot learn his fundamentals from one or more careful viewings of this film his ambition might better be directed into other channels. The film was made primarily for training new projectionists in Army and Navy centers where Bell and Howell Projectors are widely used. It is also hoped to make the film available for Summer Courses in Visual Instruction at educational centers this summer. (2 reels. 16mm. sound). For full information ad- dress Bell and Howell, 1801 Larchmount Ave., Chicago. N.L.G. Matt Mann and His Swimming Techniques (Reviewed by Indiana Teachers Cointnittee) (Coronet Productions, Glenview, Illinois^ 17 minutes, 16mm. sound. Sale price black and white $67.50 net, koda- chrome $110.00 net. Apply to producer for rental sources. With groups of boys varying from six to ten in number, Matt Mann explains and demonstrates in this film the tech- niques and devices which he uses to teach boys the crawl stroke, the back crawl stroke, the breast stroke, and the flying fish breast stroke. He and his assistant first hold the boys in the water and allow them to practice swimming. The boys stand up and use their arms to practice timing and breathing. Then without tubes the boys practice swimming. Next shown is the primary diving drill in which the boys bend down on their knees on the edge of the pool and the coach lets them go and the assistant picks them up. The boys next stand, bend, and dive alone. Having explained that it is desirable to give land drills in' class instruction in swimming, the coach exercises the class in various drills which give the student coordination in breathing and use of arms and legs. The leg kick is first practiced in a land drill and then in the water as the boys hold on to a light board. To demonstrate good arm action a swimmer follows a rope tightly stretched across the pool and with every stroke his hands meet along the line of the rope. Turning, which plays an important part in racing, is explained and demonstrated. Each of the various strokes is practiced on land and then in the water. Slow-motion photog- raphy is used to clarify the procedures and techniques peculiar to each stroke. Committee Appraisal: The first section of the film should be of interest to both teachers and students as it presents de- vices that will help the student gain confidence in the water and master the basic techniqjues of swimming. Later sequences in the film show form in swimming and turning for advanced competitive racing. The usefulness of the film could have been greatly enbanced had it been designed for either the ad- vanced or beginning student and had it been addressed to either instructor or student. . L.C.L.