Education by radio (1931-)

Kansas City, Mo, Tnch»r« LIbrmry SEPTEMBER 5, 1935 RA D mv^ Education by Radio in CCC Camps Arthur G. Crane President, University oF Wyoming, and Acting Chairman, National Committee on Education by Radio THE United States government expects to have six hundred thou- sand young men enroled in Civilian Conservation Camps thruout the United States this season. These young men constitute a homogeneous group with re- gard to age and present employment. They are housed together under condi- tions which give them much leisure time and little opportunity for recreation ex- cept such as they can contrive for them- selves in their isolated locations. For example, in this region most of the camps are located in the forest, often miles dis- tant from cities or towns. The men are at work about six hours a day, five days per week. Most of the camps are equipped with some form of radio receiving ap- paratus, and all could be equipped very easily, if not at public expense, then by private loan or contribution. The camps have officers and leaders among whom could be found men with good prepara- tion in many varied fields. These men would gladly give guidance to radio lis- tening groups. It is obvious that this setup presents splendid opportunities for these young men to improve their educa- tion and training. The major purpose and value of the camps is proving to be the rehabilitation of young men, a thing much more valuable even than the con- structive work accomplished. An educa- tional program by radio fits admirably into the plan. What are the things that might find place in such a program? The situation is strikingly similar to the one during the World War when in the army hospitals there were assembled thousands of young men, convalescent soldiers, and the army established a service known as the physical reconstruction service. It was my good fortune to be the educational officer in charge of schools in all of these camps. One hundred fifty WILLIS A. Sutton, superintendent of schools, Atlanta, Georgia, and past president. Na- tional Education Association, who recently accepted appointment as representative of the National Education Association on the National Committee on Education by Radio. Dr. Sutton, whose membership began September 1, takes the place made vacant by the resignation of Joy Elmer Morgan, who, since the formation of the Committee, has served as its chairman. ' An address before the conference of CCC educational advisen, National Educa- tion Association, Denver, Colorado, July 4, 193S. thousand American soldiers received in- struction and training in educational centers established in these hospitals. The men had idle time and were congre- gated in groups sufficiently homogeneous to give added interest and enjoyment to study. They were keenly interested in a multitude of subjects. Thousands learned to read and write. Others improved them- selves in their trades and vocations. Shops, laboratories, craft rooms, and reg- ular schoolrooms were established wher- ever the need appeared. With the short working day and working week in the CCC camps a similar situation exists. However, these young men are in sound health and body and are not handicapped by wounds and illness as were the soldiers. What type of educational opportunity which will be acceptable and in which they will be interested can be offered thru radio to these young men? A brief survey of educational broadcasts already found practicable with other groups will sug- gest what might be done in CCC camps. Scores of illustrations could be found of educational and cultural programs already presented by local broadcasting stations. These programs have been re- markably acceptable and successful. May I cite a single example? Wisconsin has a state-owned system of stations which give satisfactory coverage to a considerable portion of the state. These stations are owned, maintained, and operated solely for public welfare. As pioneers in the field, they have experimented with programs for the general public and for the schools. The programs of these stations are exceedingly varied but only a few types of broadcasts, which it is believed would be attrac- tive to CCC men, will be mentioned here. A notable experiment has been the public forums. These forums presented discussions of current social, political, and economic questions by speakers of all kinds and beliefs. Thru [41]