Educational screen & audio-visual guide (c1956-1971])

FILMSTRIPS by Irene F. Cypher With so much discussion on the necessity for krge group instruction, for small group instruction, for individual learning opportunities, for paced learning, would it be naive to ask why so little attention is focused on the filmstrip as the instructional medium adapted for use in all these situations? Of course we fully realize the glamor of new devices, of space-age designed devices, of up-to-the-minute (so-called) media which some claim to be the panacea for today's instructional problems. But during the past months we saw very modem pupils, with very modern hkes and dislikes, looking with deep interest at filmstrips. Some of these pupils studied in small groups, some worked in large classes, and some were by themselves in front of a table viewer. In each instance they evidenced deep interest in the material being viewed; deep interest in the fact that the pupil himself could advance the filmstrip when he so desired (in instances where he was seated in front of an individual viewer). In each and every instance when the content of the filmstrip was well prepared, interesting in terms of appeal, color and attractiveness, the pupil learned by a process which many seem to think was introduced by some of the newest teaching devices. Yet the filmstrip is a venerable medium; it has endured the growing pains which accompany the trial and testing of years of use; it has been part of our instructional front for a goodly number of years. Admittedly, some deadly lessons have been peipetrated with filmstrips. At times, the deadliness of the filmstrip itself is at fault— too many frames for anyone to sit through; stuffy and unappealing pictures; captions that insult the viewing inteUigence of the pupil. But, this can be said of any device: there are dull books, unattractive pictures and terrible records. What we wish to emphasize is that, given a filmstrip produced with the needs and interests of pupils actually and honestly in mind, there is a tremendous potential in the filmstrip for all types of modern instructional situations. Certainly the projector is a device which can (and should) be paced to meet both group and individual needs. Certainly individuals, committees and small groups can cluster around and view material, and so can large groups. It might be a good idea for anyone concerned with education to reex amine the filmstrip as an instructional medium, to consider the many ways in which this device lends itself to the most advanced methods of imparting information to pupils of all ages. « o « Art prints— It has been very evident that there is a renewed interest in prints and flat pictures. Reproductions of the works of great masters are useful in numerous classroom situations, and this collection is an addition to available materials. The prints are available from the Society for Visual Education, 1345 Diversey Parkway, Chicago 14, Illinois. Priced at $2.95, they fall within the budget range of the average school, and provide a wealth of study material. They are available in two sizes, 18" x 23" and 21" X 26" and include works of Degas, DeHooch, Cezanne, Cassatt and many others. This type of material is good for display purposes, and for individual study as well. It is good to see material of this quality, for the color is excellent and the range of subjects very extensive. o o o Animals— Helpful and Harmful (6 filmstrips, color, produced by Jam Handy Organization, 2861 E. Grand Boulevard, Detroit 11, Michigan; $31.50 per set, $5.75 single strips). Spiders, bats, insects and birds are included in the range of tliis series. The intent is to indicate clearly how animals help man, and how they are harmful. One of the strips shows a good example of how harmfij insects are controlled and another gives a clear picture of the characteristics of all insects. The strip showing how to identify and recognize various snakes is well done. Correct and well authenticated data makes the series good for junior high school science as well as for scout nature work and camp grounds, and especially useful as preparation for field trips to museums and nature trails. It is an example of the type of visual data that pupils will turn to for individual study and research. Congress And The Voters (single strip, black and white, one of a monthly series; produced by Educational Activities OflBce, New York Times, Times Square, New York 36, N.Y.; $3 single strip, $18 for series). There is need today for enlightened appreciation of what the right to vote means for people of a democracy. Therefore, it is important to understand the relation of Congress to the Executive and judicial branches of the government, and to see how the work of individual congressmen and of congressional committees is carried out. The presentation is up-to-date and explanations are given in terms of current events. The strip is of course timely at this period, but can be used whenever the role of congress is being studied. « « o Our Growing Cities and Reviewing Our Cities (2 strips, color, with record and manual; produced by National Film Board of Canada and available from Stanley Bowmar Co., Valhalla, New York; $12 per set). Urban development and the problems encountered in making improvements of aU types in our cities is an important phase of modem life. The cities shown in these strips are, of course, Canadian—Montreal, Quebec, Ottowa and Toronto, but the problems are the same as those of our own great cities. Traffic snarls, cluttered tenement areas, transportation difficulties and redistricting to meet changing activities are all considered here. The commentary is well paced and adds to the value of the pictures. It is interesting to note that when plans for a proposed city centre are shown, they are those for Fort Worth, Texas— indicating that the problems described are shared by both Canada and the United States, and that both countries have a need to study the subject. Good material for social science classes and for community development committees. o o o Squanto And The First Thanksgiving (single filmstrip, color, with 33 V^ rpm narrative record; produced by Society for Visual Education, 1345 Diversey Parkway, Chicago 14, 111.; $9 per unit). The story of Squanto and how he helped the Pilgrims in their struggle to establish their colony in Plymouth is part of our heritage. The pictures of this strip are colorful and the narration interesting. The story is valuable for both upper elementary and junior high school classes and also for church school groups. The details of the story are well told and the material is of course of timely importance at this period of the year. o e o The Nutcracker (single strip, color, with 33 VS rpm two-sided record; produced by Society for Visual Education, 1345 Diversey Parkway, Chicago 14, 111.; $15 per unit). Again we have an example of a familiar story presented in a way that makes it seem 664 Educational Screen and Audiovisual Guide — November, 1962