See and hear : the journal on audio-visual learning (1945)

AN A-V COMMUNITY PROGRAM IN by Adelbert Young Director. Audio-Visual Education Mcnashu, Wisconsin, Schools Human Relations TOWN LEADERS FORMULATE A COMMUNITY-WIDE PLAN TO TEACH DEMOCRACY FROM THE SCREEN Ox SEPTEMBER 24, 1947. a small grou]) consisting of industrialists, educators, clergy, and civic minded educators from various creeds and nationalities, gathered in m\ classroom tf) discuss wa)s and means in helping toward healthful mental objectives in connection with the every day social and religious relations of the conniiunity. This group believed that a program which trains citizens from all walks of life to think straight and dispose them to do so in human relations is a good worthwhile intercultural community project. It was also believed such a jMogram could be accomplished through the use of audio-\ isual materials. The group agreed that the successful lUilization of such a program should be shared by all— parocliial, private, and public schools; libraries, churches, industries, social agencies; but the responsibility should be focused upon an individual designated as a coordinator. This responsibility was delegated to me and I have prepared this paper to be a guide to the many problems facing anyone who wishes to develop a similar program. In order that the greatest amount of concrete and helpful information may be given, I submit the following: 1. Hfjw we started a conmumitx human relations program. 2. How we organized and carried out such a program. $. How we utilized audio-visual methods as stepi)ing stones lo groii]i action for (onimuTiiix bciicrment. The first undertaking of the group Avas the choosing of a co)nmittee. This committee made a comprehensive survey of existing resources and of the existing needs of the conmiunity. It surveyed the following: 1. Educational opportunities available. 2. All agencies exclusi\ely working toward the interest of a better community. 3. .\I1 agencies deriving support from the community chest. 4. Conmiunity projects of clubs and civic organizations. 5. Educational activities of all churches. 6. Training programs of the industries. 7. What the radio stations could offer. St RVEY RESULTS ANAIAZED This survey brought out the desirability of further study in the following cliannels: 1. A systematically planned centralized program of instruction in riglit principles and worthy ideals of citizenship based on the Christian Brotherhood of Man, irrespective of race, color, creed, and nationality. 2. A program of activities that would hold steadily before the respective groups the American democratic way of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. After tlie completion of the sinvey and the study of the above mentioned channels, a headciuarlers was chosen and referred to as ihe Community Audio-Visual Aids Center. The designated duties of this center are: 1. Be responsiljle for all audio-\ isual aid etjuipment. 2. Canvass and ])lace on (ile soiuxes of audio-visual :iid materials. 3. Train people to work with materials. 4. Help plan a schedule of activities. .5. Correspondence. OUTLINE A V PROGRAM PLANS The first official undertaking of the center was planning programs as suggested visual educational approaches for the various inter-cultiual group activities. In planning these programs, the problems fell into three catagories: I. Agreement on suitable objectives. II. Films available for the various objectives. III. How to use the films most effecti\ely to achieve the objectives. Let me now expand these three ])oints: I. The main purpose decided upon was to suggest programs that would help develop the following concepts: 1. That our cominunity is made up of people from various parts of the world. 2. That many of tlicse people speak languages other than English. 3. That they represent various creeds. 1. That many different customs are lo be louncf in their homes. But . . .f). That they have certaiyi common interests that tend to unite them. (i. That they engage in many activities that are common to all people. 1. That most of them have contributed in some measure to the American Culture. II. The following criteria was decided upon in selecting films for the development of good human relations in the community: 1. The films used nuist be viewed with profit and enjoyment by men 16 SEE & HEAR J