The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

tUllllltlllllHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIHIIIMIIMIIIIIIIIIIIDIirMinillllltllllllMlllllKlltir Records ^ on Review I F iiiiMiiMiiiiiDiiiiiiiiimiitiMitiit MAX U. BILDERSEE iiiiiiiiMiiiiDiiitiiiiiiiitiiMiiiiiiiiniiiin.^ Report on Audio Equipment Survey • Atiiio KDi CATION SPECIALISTS and material and equipment manufacturers have been working under tlic severe handicap of not knowing what equipment is available in scliools and what is most needed. The survey undertaken hy the United States Office of Education — Radio Manufacturers Association Joint Committee on Specifications for School Audio Equipment, in conjunction with "Scholastic Magazine," indicates answers to many of these questions. The survey was undertaken through a printed questionnaire, and it should be noted that most of the responses were received from junior and senior high schools. It is presumed that the survey figures represent a reasonably accurate summary of audio equipment availability and need. The survey is nationwide in scope, representing 47 of the 48 states and the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. The questionnaire itself was a simple check list of twentythree different items of audio equipment and three columns headed "We now have", "We need" and "We want reliable information concerning." Participants were asked to use numbers in the first two columns and checks in the third, and in addition they were asked to indicate which instructional areas the audio tools served as well as whether or not the survey participants were considering installing an educational P'M radio station. There is no doubt that the schoolmen who voluntarily answered the questionnaire administer the better equipped schools and are the most interested in audio education. These leaders, too, are best equipped to indicate the general trends and the most immediate needs in this area. • It comks as no surprise that there are more radios available in schools than any other single type of audio machine. Yet more than half as many more are needed. The radio is still a most potent tool of audio education, and the lack of more purposeful school broadcast programming is the greatest limiting factor in the wide development of this medium as an educational device. The standard speed phonograph is the machine in second greatest demand and the second most popular machine. These figures indicate that real nee<l develops with the expanding in-school i)rogram ; and with greater use, still greater the need becomes. These figures indicate, too, that the immediate future for utilization expansion lies with intelligent use of the radio and the phonograph as well as the preparation of more and better luaterial for learning. It is interesting to learn which instructional areas are most affected by the impact of audio devices. The survey indicates that music is still the subject most widely taught by use of audio devices, but it is both gratifying and surprising to discover that students in English and the social studies are making practically equally wide use of these tools. Following in order are speech, sports, and foreign languages. .Although languages arc essentially "car" subjects and studies indicate that the use of recordings and broadcasts accelerate language learning, only 37 percent of the resjjonses indicated that audio devices were used in foreign language training. I'-ither there is a pressing need for good langu:'Ke recordings or instructors and supervisors in the field have not thoroughly investigated existing devices and are depriving students of a valuable learning opportunity. • Disregarding existing multiple ownership of such equipment, there is less than an average of one recording machine per reporting school. It is both interesting and significant that magnetic recorders (wire and tape) outnumber the longer established disc recorders bv almost two to one. I'.ut in re HOW TO PLAN FOR <7W^ S^^eciioe VISUAL EDUCATION Get Your FREE I i I L__ Answers questions concerning projection sur"^ faces — how and when to install permanent classroom and auditorium screens — the relationship of projector and screen — function of portable screens — Seating and Viewing Area Chart, Screen and Lens Chart for determining proper sized screen to suit projector, audience and room. Send for your copies today. Use this convenient coupon or please mention this publication. DA-LITE SCREEN COMPANY, INC. 271 1 No. Pulaski Road, Chicago 39, III. Without nblieatioii u> ua please send your two brochures "Designs for Visual Kducation" and "Planning for Effective Projection." Name School or Insiilulion Street . Zone QUALITY SCKtlNS FOK 40 YEAK5 .J October, 1949 371