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

THE COUNTY LEVEL AUDIO-VISUAL SERVICE PROGRAM by Raymond Denno, Coordinator of Audio-Visual Service San Diego County (California) Public Schools THE COUNTY LEVEL of Audio-Visual Service in the far West, particularly along the Pacific Coast, has experienced phenomenal growth during the past four years. In 1946 only 18 county school systems in California were furnishing Audio-Visual Service. Fifty-eight counties are giving this service in 1950. Several factors have influenced this growth. Among these are: • An increased interest of educational leaders and teachers in concrete teaching methods and materials which stemmed from experiences by a large segment of our population while in the Armed Forces. • The improving quality of audio-visual materials being developed by producers. • The economic aspects of time saving in the classroom. • Increasing use of audio-visual materials and methods in business and industry. • The awakening of the lay public to the value of the audio-visual approach and legislation enacted in some States. The development of a county level of Audio-Visual Service presents problems which are common to all audio-visual programs and, in addition, many others. The following discussion includes 1, the problems peculiar to a county-wide program, and 2, a review of the organization of the San Diego County program of AudioVisual Service to show how these problems are met as needed services are brought to all San Diego County districts on an equitable basis. Problems Peculiar to a County-Wide Service Several factors (See Figure 1.) influence a County Audio-Visual program: distance, source of revenue, service to varying districts, etc. Distance. The geographical areas involved are often larger than city areas. This factor is frequently aggra Figure I: Here are the principal factors influencing a typical county-wide audio-visual program. the distance factor source of revenue service to many districts teaching personnel vated by the lack of direct route highways. The turnover cycle for distribution of materials is long, since delivery service is usually by mail, truck, personal pickup, or a combination of one or more of these. Telephone service to peripheral districts requires long distance calls, and longer intervals occur between the face-to-face relationships of field and county stafl: personnel. Source of Revenue. County Audio-Visual Service revenue may be derived from the State level, from the county districts served, or from a combination of both. State funds may be distributed on the basis of a formula which endeavors to distribute equitably the moneys among the several counties. Local districts may contribute funds to the central service on a per a.d.a., per teacher, per classroom, per school basis, or by combination of one or more of the aforementioned. These methods are in contrast to a college or city program with revenue provided usually from a single source. Service to Many Districts. A county service is called upon to serve rural, elementary, high school, junior college, and unified districts. The one-room school, the departmentalized seventh and eighth grades, inadequate housing, variation between district curriculums, the quantity and quality of audio-visual equipment owned by each district, are all problems of special concern to counties. Personnel Turnover. Frequent teacher and administrator turnover, particularly in smaller districts, drastically affects the continuity of a long-range developmental program. The county program must be tempered to meet these variations and endeavor to do its part in the equalizing of educational opportunity for all children. San Diego County AudioVisual Program San Diego County. The 4,250 square miles of San Diego County include seashore, rolling hills, mountains, and desert-type country, with schools located in all these sections. San Diego County has 94 elementary schools, three junior high schools, 11 high schools, and two junior colleges in the 66 districts, all of which receive audio-visual service. Guide Lines. Audio-Visual Service is based on the principle of equalizing educational opportunities for all children, youth, and adults in the county. A concerted effort is made to benefit all in a fair and like manner. The democratic process is utilized in the selection of materials and equipment, planning for the use of materials, workshop activities, demonstrations, and small and large group conferences. A conscientious effort is made to encourage experimentation to the end that new and better methods and materials are developed, and 40 SEE & HEAR