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

NEWS-LETTER (continued from preceding PAGE) ert Allerton Park, the university's country estate in Monticello. III. Main purpose of the institute is tn provide an organized program which will help practicing librarians stay abreast of current trends in fields of special interest and provide a direct opportunity to see and discuss new methods, materials and equipment. * * * Silver Burdett Appoints Rizzie ♦ Appointment of Melvin L. Rizzie as director of its newly-created audio- \isual division has been announced by the Silver Burdett Co. Prior to this appointment. Rizzie served as director of audio-visual education. State L ni- versity of New York. State Teachers College, New Paltz, N. Y. He was vice- president of the New York Audio- Visual Council during the 1950-51 academic vear. ^ * ■!? Theodore Bennett Goes to Japan ♦ Theodore E. Bennett has resigned his post as supervisor of audio-visual aids for the Schenectady, N. Y., school system to lake a supervisory post with the American embassy in Tokvo « here he will do motion picture work. Bennett, who also resigned as direc- tor of the Schenectady museum, left recently for Washington for a six- week briefing period in his new job. Joining the Schenectady schools in 1947. Bennett first served as coordina- tor of radio and television programs and had charge of radio classes and workshops. He was appointed head of the audio-visual department in 1949. * T7 ^:- Ralph Wagner .loins EB Films ♦ A new field representative. Ralph Wagner of Danville. 111., has been added to the sales stafl^ of Encyclo- paedia Britannica Films, Dennis R. Williams, the firm's vice-president in charge of film distribution, has an- nounced. Wagner takes the post df district manager for Missouri, replacing Dolph Lain, who will take over the district managershij) for Oregon, with headquarters in Portland. A graduate of Western Illinois State College, Macomb. Wagner has been leaching social science in the Danville high school for the past three years. .Maurice C. .McCann Outlines Need lor Improved Film Study Guides ♦ Received in the office recently was a report from Maurice C. McCann. chairman of the \^ DAVI study guides committee. Its concern with a vital problem in audio-visual communica- tion would seem to call for quoting it in full. "The consensus of opinion of those interested in Audio-Visual education indicates that there is a definite need for study guides, particularly film study guides for teachers. Most of the film producers have well prepared and attractive guides to accompany their films. However, these guides are not made use of as extensively as they should be. In most cases the study guide is not received in advance of the film, and the teacher does not have enough time to plan and prepare the film presentation and lesson. Too often study guides are filed away and forgotten or the person in charge fails to send them out to the right peojjle at ihe right time. It is logical to assume that much of the value of the film |;resentation is lost if a film lesson plan is not available or used at the proper time. Some think it should be manda- tory that there is a written suggested plan of use for all films as well as other audio-visual materials such as filmstrips. slides, recordings, and tran- scriptions. The manner of use of such a study guide should be optional with the teacher who knows his own teach- ing situation and pupil requirements best. Whatever the source of films, should they be school owned, or through a state or private film center, the study guides should precede the film by two or three days. In event that this cannot be done or if the guides are not satisfactory, the teach- ers who use the films should pool their knowledge and write their own guides. Study guides written by teachers usually are more satisfactory. They may be sent out by someone assigned to the job in each building, in ad- vance, to each teacher and returned to lie used again. Make Them Brief. Effective "In a recent survev of studv guides of latest films, it was found that most guides consisted of one sheet 8^4 x 11" paper printed on both sides. Per- haps it is best to be sure of its use by making it brief and effective. Teacher written guides could be mimeo- graphed. Actuallv state institutions distributing films should send out study guides as well as films. These could be a help if teachers wished to write their own. The format should be one that is most practical, effective and convenient to use. "The content of a studv guide is somewhat dependent upon the level and type of film. It is desirable to have illustrations and pictures if the guide is printed. According to our survev. the most necessarv requisite- are title, length, black and white oi color, sound or silent, cost, recom- mended subject area, introduction, or storv of film, related films, vocabularv. suggested study activities, books avail- able on subject and test questions. Other Key Points Noted "Other points to consider in writing a study guide are: difficult pronuncia- tions, what to do before showing, points to look for. what to do after showing, review or discussion ques- tions, answers to quiz questions, and sequences of scenes or continuitv. "The question of adequate study guides is now an important factor in the forward progression we must make in the continued use of Audio- visual materials. It is a challenge to those interested in Audio-Visual Edu- cation to fulfill this need for satisfac- lorv studv guides for teachers." "Backgrounds of Our Freedom" Now Distributed hy Heritage * Heritage Filmstrips, Inc., has now assumed the national distribution of all its filmstrips. The\ were formerly available through Association Films. In response to a demand that fol- lowed the issuance of the original" six filmstrips of the Bachsirounds of Our freedom series. Heritage has speeded up its production schedule and prom- ises earh issuance of the second six in the series. The original six are: Causes of the American Revolution, The Anti-SlaverY Crusade, Causes of the French Revolution. The French Revolution, and The Triumph of Par- liament. The six now in production concern the Bill of Rights, women's rights, and democracv in the 20th cen- tury. Heritage Filmstrips headquar- ters are at 89-11 6.-!rd Drive. Rego Park 74. N. V. SEE and HEAR