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

in the classroom to improve and strengthen instruction. How can we put it all together to mean the most to the learner? Survey comments pointed up this most intriguing problem in many ways: "We are coming to realize the magnificent contributions to learning which could come about from adctjuate and enlightened uses of instructional materials at all school levels . . . but . . . we still continue to talk a good program and accept an inferior one . . . (despite) a growing realization that we could work vast improvements in our teaching if we were to finance the program with the funds it deserves." "AV people are being side-stepped . . . maybe we are not qualified for the new demands of working with curriculum people or helping to consider ( educational adaptation) of the newer media developments . . ." "The IMC concept is being clouded by new terms . . . we have the problem of always changing labels, but not ever changing the same old contents . . . we must develop terminology which can be understood not only by the professional but by the lay public which must in the long run pay the bill." "For nearly ten years educators have been asking "Why" about ETV. Now, the question applied not only to ETV but to multi-media use generally is not "Why" but "How" and "When". Are we ready to answer?" "Providing school plant facilities is still a great problem; buildings are still being planned and built every day which will be osolete before they are finished, in terms of adequate provision for media use . . . What are we doing about this?" "The new media are now definitely affecting administrative logistics, but we don't have enough information on how and to what extent." Most heartening were the many indications of professional growrth and maturity in the AV field generally. Broad evidence here refers to the "growing role of DAVI as it works with many related professional organizations," "the forthcoming Alameda Conference (intended to explore needs and problems in the teacher education field)," "the new role of DAVI committee structure and the Delegate Assembly," and the attention paid to "further clear definition of the role of the media specialist" and his relationships to others in education. The truly tremendous happenings inder Title VII NDEA sponsorship, include not only ongoing research in many media areas but also such landmark publications as the NEA Technological Project Occasional Papers, (particularly Occasional Paper No. 6 with its thorough exploration of the case for very large capital outlay for new media applications); and the SAVES Project ( States AudioVisual Education Study) being conducted by Dr. Francis Noel and Dr. Sid Eboch. This project, begun in April of 1959, is the first research study to examine in depth what each of the fifty state departments of education are doing in the new educational media field; the preliminary draft of the final report runs some 550 pages. The final report, to be submitted in January 1963, should be a monument in the field. One of the most significant happenings under Title \'II sponsorship is the National Media Demonstration Project, under the leadersliip of Dr. Jerrold Kemp and Dr. Richard Lewis of San Jose State College. This project will make available through seven regional teams a carefully constructed presentation designed to stimulate many audience groups to improve educational uses of new media. A final unifying factor is seen in further uses of Title III NDEA funds to expand the acquisition of many types of instructional materials and equipment. The proposed extension of Title III, and the apparently imminent broadening of the controlling definition of acquisitions (under consideration by House and Senate Conference Committee) would do much to advance the field by providing a small part of the needed funds.. Another potentially significant activity merits mention; the forthcoming policy statement on "State Department of Education Responsibilities for New Media," under preparation by the Study Commission of the Association of Chief State School Officers. The Noel and Eboch SAVES study will serve as foundation in fact and present activity for the final draft of the Study Commission booklet, now in rough draft form and under editorial change following an October workshop of the Commission in Columbus, Ohio. The statement of policy \vill contain a review of new media developments, a discussion of their meaning and implications for state departments of education, and suggested steps and activities to guide state-level policy in the new media area. It must still be considered by the full Conference of Cliief State School Officers, to whom it should be submitted during the coming year. Year 1962, it can be said, continued the great transition in American education, moving from the policies of the past toward the framing of the future . . . but the pace was broken, the action was occasionally anticlimatic, and many implications remain slurred and uncertain. This movement is something like a brand-new atomic power reactor: the chain reaction has begun, some controls are not yet indicating properly, and one must contain curiosity (and fears) until it becomes apparent that the critical condition has been reached— and power begins to flow as it should. If it does not,. we may never hear the explosion. Apologia and Footnotes To the twenty respondents whose willingness to react on very short notice with their views of Year '62, thanks and great appreciation for your indispensable participation. No individual respondent is responsible for statements in the text, even though direct quotation is used at times. For editorial purposes, the direct quotations often represent combinations of viewpoint, expressed as nearly as possible in the words of the original speakers involved. The interpretations thus placed on statements are entirely mine, and I alone am responsible for errors, omissions, or misinformation direct or implied. Perhaps I may be permitted one editorial note: Any suggestions as to replacement for my crystal ball, used now for two years, will be considered. This one seems to be suffering from a stuck shutter leaf, which kept blurring the whole picture. Is there an AV man in the house? Educational Screen and Audiovisual Guide — December, 1962 709'