The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-06-14
FILMS TO TEACH
SCHOOL LESSONS
Methods and Use of Films
in Visual Education
is Explained.
TO SUPPLEMENT BOOKS

Motion pictures with the scenarios
written by some of the most learned
scholars of this age, are now carrying
lessons in history, nature, health,
sanitation, geography, and citizenship
to thousands of school children. The
subjects are written, directed and
filmed by the Society of Visual Edu-
cation, and distributed to more than
10000 schools and other institutions
in the United States.
The society, founded and tutored by
some of the most prominent educators
and scientists in the country, today
has an assortment of films that runs
into the hundreds, each devoted to a
special fundamental school subject.
Prof. Moulton at Head.
eve have been immeasurably sue
cessful in the ideal which prompted
our organization, that our plans have
proved worthy and sound" said Pro-
fessor F. R. Moulton Of the University
of Chicago, secretary of the society
and widely known scientist and inven-
tor. eve believed the most hopeful
remedy for existing conditions was in
the wide extension Of visual educa-
ton. Psychologists have told US that
eightyfve per cent of our thinking
is in terms of visual image. The ex-
perience of every one of us confirms
the statement. Of all the various
means Of visual education, motion
pictures are proving of the most i'm
port, and until but recently, the least
used. They are the most important
because life and the processes essen
tial to life are dynamic and in motion
"a static world is dead
"The film work of the Junior Ameri-
can Red Cross has been entrusted to
US, and the International Health
Board, the w. C. T. u, and numerous
organizations, witnessing the results of
this work. are calling upon US to film
subjects for them. State departments
of education, welfare organizations,
civic and commercial associations, and
particularly the schools, are CO.
of states are buying the films outright
for state distribution, while others
serve as distributors for films OBJ
tanned from the society.
Visual Education Is Unique.
"Visual education has not trespassed
upon the commercial movie, nor will
it. Our work does not seek to amuse
but to translate into realities what Of
ten are lonly words. Neither do we
propose to displace text books, models,
maps or any other educational means,
but to supplement them. Our sub
jects are filmed for universal instruc-
ton. What may be too advanced for
a pupil today, three years hence will
be just as good. Our subjects are
made to fit the time of need, and our
machines so built that any part of the
picture can be stilled and a teacher
dwell for any length of time on a sail
.ent feature. The camera having the
advantage of position, it permits the
pupil to observe from every angle"
The reels dealing with the study of
nature are in greatest demand, ac-
cording to Prof. Moulton.
All of the subjects are treated as
systematically as books are written,
Prof. MoGton explained, and in such
a way as to supplement text books,
laboratories and other means of Civ
ing instruction. Schools are becoming
better equipped to handle the films,
the society having evolved composite
and simple7operating machine to ac-
sist in the work.