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

Thr Ixra'crfiil incdiuin itf iiidio works for dcuunrmy lit lliis i lass) (imii xidio hrudddist to I'Inliidt Ijjiita Schooli. DEMOCRACY AT WORK by Gertrude Novoko\sky Radio AssistcnjI, Philadelphia Public Schools WHAT IS RADIO in ilu (lassrooni doins; aboui l)ctleriiiu iniersjr()U|) if lations? Ho^v do schools broacicasi aid ill fostering deniotratic atiiiudes and behavior of a socially desirable nature? The answers to some of these piob- lems may be seen in Philadelphia public schools. Every week, two liun dred and ihirty-six thousand pupils in ninety-two per cent of the public schools hear radio programs as pait of their classroom acti\ities. Broad- casts are })lainied that bring into ilie classrcjom leal demotrac). The Philadelphia Radio Rosiei includes sixteen programs each week from kindergaiten thiough gi ade twelve, in \arious s u fj j e c t fields. Whether in music, science, social studies, or literature, the radio broadcast emphasis is upon the lad that (i)ntribiitions ha\e been madi- b\ man\ races and main peoples. In bioatlcasting aiiout other lands, attempts are made to foster an ap- preciation of the art, music, or scien- iili< dis((>\ cries that have grown out ol o I ii ( I (uliures. Broadcasts arc plainied thai stimulate free discus- sion. Programs arc platMied to build an understanding and an apprecia- tion ol all |)eoplc-. .Most significani is ilu- cHecli\e ulili/alion ol these j)rograms l)\ teacliers as a regular part of class- loom instruction. T e a c h e r s ha\e lound that a radio program can be a \ahiable educational ex])erience. Training in good intergroup rela- tions becomes a pleasant process when it is accom])lished by a pro- giam like "The Ameiican .\d\en- ture." In this, the IVcslward Ho! edition, an imaginary character in I he jjerson of Uncle Pele Stoner crosses the United States on Route .'{0, starting from Philadelphia. What .in opportunitx to learn the customs ptculiai to the peojile of \arioiis conmuinilies: The Penirs\]\ania (.ermans. ihc Morax ians. llic' "Klat Kis" ol the Ohio Ri\er. the Indians, tile larmeis of the plains, and the Mormons! Lives of historical figures with their old-world backgrounds, such as C;hristopher Ludwick, .Mad Anthoiix Wayne, .\nclrew (larnegie. Biitlalo Bill, and )im Bridgei. are also presented. Better understanding ol .ill pe()|jles comes to our children iliiDiigh ihe conn ibulions mack l)\ lluse groii]>s and men. All lia\e served, and we who lollow .iltei, gain. Anotlui program available to the I'liiladelpliia teachers, "Once I'pon .\ Time", dramatizes "stories our world neighbors tell." presenting nivlhs and legends ol all countries in such a wa\ thai world neighbors take on a new importance. The sto- ries enlarge the concepts of the \oung audience and make for a hap- \>kr understanding of all the ]>eo- |jles of the earth. "Magic of Books," brings a col- lection of dramatized stories about |)eople. leal and fictional, who have contributed something of value to all ol us. Included in the series are stories ol some of the world's most lamous composers. The music of these men is presented in a music appreciation series, "Music in the .Air." Not long ago. while \isiting with a class during a broadcast, a child was heard lo make this remark. 'I hose lellows, Ha\dn and Handel and Sc huberi—ihe\ were prett\ keen musicians. They were good Ger- mans, weren't the\?" "Exploring .Music \\'ith Mars \an Doien. " a nationallv known pianist and musician. e\er\ Tuesda) morn- ing is anoihei pleasurable and valu- able experience. After Marv \'an Doren's |)rogiaiii. children enter upon a \ariety of activities. Some of them paint in free style what the iiuisic has suggested to them. Some- times as a class project, frie/es are painted illustrating the music. Boys and girls keep notebooks and scrap- books on musicians, on m u s i c a I lorins. on newspajjer stories of musi- cal e \ e n t s and personalities. The 24 SEE AND HE.4R