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

BOOK R EPORT 18th Yearbook of National Council of Social Studies Is Presented at St. Louis Annual Meeting • With the jjiesentation of the 18th ^carbot)!; of the National Council lor the Social Studies at the annual meeting of the Council in St. Louis, Missomi. the role of audio-\ isual materials in education reached a nev level of maturity. .Mr. R. O. Hughes of the Pittsburgh Public Schools presided at the official presentation session and introduced William H. Hartle\. who. as editor of the Year- book, officialh presented the volume. .\iDFU Bv Experts In Field The result of t^\-o \ears of work, the Yearbook represents the best tiiinking of experts in the field, to- gether with case illustrations from practicing classroom teachers. The final format of the volume, as Dr. Hartley indicated, was adopted after consultation yvith some tyvo hundred persons in the aud-io-\ isual field, dis- tributed throughout the nation. The plan of the volume is briefly as fol- lows: after a general introduction, the body of the book is grouped into chapters dealing with excursions, realia, pictures, graphic aids. maps, films, radio and recordings. In each case, the authors present general principles, unique characteristics and patterns of presentation. These are followed b\ concrete examples of practices from yarious parts of the country and at both the elementarv and secondary levels. .Appendix .\ consists of a selected list of readings: and -\ppendix B. sources of mate- rials. Discuss L St Bv 1 EACHERS Following the official presentation of the Yearbook, the practical ques- tion of how teachers can use it was discussed by the wTiter. He empha- sized the excellence of the volinne in bridging the gap between theory and practice. The writer emphasized the impf)rtance of setting up adeciiiate administrative machinery within a social studies department, school, and school svstem if the classroom teacher is to benefit fully from the tremendous resources now available in the audio-visual field. Referring to the two appendices at the close of the volume, he stressed TO USE PROJECTORS Instant 5-second threading! From strip film to slides — and back — immediately! Show your strip film and slides at their ultra-brilliant best with optically perfect Viewlex projectors. Exclusive Aspheric Condenser system provides greatest light concentration and uniform screen illumi- nation. Tests prove Viewlex 150 watt projector gives greater screen brightness than other 300 watt projectors. Result: More economy and less heat, protectinp slides and film. Order Viewlex, the finest projectors and best value obtainable! MODEL APIC—Combina- tion all-purpose slide and strip film projector! Com- CIcte, self-contained ' Case, uilt-in slide carrjtr. slide (lie. and screen 577.00 MODEL AP-:C — Deluxe mbination all-purpose slide and strip film proiec- tor. Built-in slide carrier, elevating mechanism, Liuttar "•"Anastigmat lens. $67.03 .MODEL AP-3 — StandaH ^" focal length slide pr - jector with 5" Luxtar cole - corrected Anastigmat lens, complete $39.5 J NX'ritten by Graham T. Horton, famous authori- ty, this superb little booklet gives you fascinating secrets of better projection Shows you how to pet the most from visual material 1 Mail post- card for your FREE copy' Dept. SH2. 3001 Queens Blvd., LONG ISLAND CITY the need for teachers to become more familiar with the range and variet\ of materials now available. In clos- ing, the y\Titer apjjealed to teachers to broaden their use of audio-\ isual materials, to exp>eriment with the newer techniques, and finalh to in- corporate these materials and meth- ods in the consideration of current affairs and the pressing problems of the dav. The formal part of the presenta- tion session was concluded by George L. White. Jr.. of Films, Inc. who pointed out that the yearbook marked a transition in the field from the "whx"' level to the "how" level —from the stage where preoccupa- tion is with convincing teachers ol the importance of audio-visual ma- terials to the stage where their im- portance is assumed and the focus is upon the most effective techniques of using them. In the latter role, he remarked, the yearbook becomes a guide, both to teachers and to film producers. Dr. White apjK-aled to classroom teachers to carry out and report experimentation with the use of films with their classes. This, he- considered, is basic to further funda- mental advance in functional educa- tional use of motion pictures. In discussion following the presen- tation, several problems were raised: time allotment in teacher-training courses in the audio-visual field, de- sire bv teachers for more filmstrips. jiroblems of administering an aiidio- \ isual program in the schools. Dr. Hartles and his co-workers arc- to Ix- congratulated on the excellent service to the profession represented in bringing out a balanced practical handbook for social studies teachers in a field now standing readv tc make a vital, mature contribution to education. —Rei'ieu-ed by Russell H. Broadhead Wayne University, Detroit, .\fich. F E B R L A R Y • 19 4 8 29