Films Prove Aid in Geographical and Social Teaching

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 307, 28 December 1937, Page 3

Films Prove Aid in Geographical and Social Teaching

MANCHESTER —Movies are among the best teachers for young children a ieport issued by the Manchester Education Committee claims. Tracing the reactions of school-chi I dren, a report issued by the “Industrial Britain,” “Country Comes to Town,” “('oiiqurring Hjiace.” “Up-stream,” and “.Story of tile Wheel,” the report ' 'Tin' teachers whose pupils saw the films agreed that the display was. instructive and that the children gained much from it. This was clearly demonstrated in the many references to the film that, occurred in ordinary lessons afterwards, apart from follow-up work. There were definite points of contact in geography and history lessons, and compositions showed the acquisition of new words ami ideas from the films. In one school answers to examination questions on the agricultural revolution were obviously coloured by the film ‘Country Comes to Town. ’

“Delayed tests given one month after the showing of the films in the elementary schools showed a satisfactory learned from the film. It is felt that one or more films on the same theme or a double showing of one film with an interval for questions and comments would be of great value. “Increased interest in the subject matter presented by the film and Increased interest in lessons in which films are used have been generally observed,” is another of the conclusions reached by the report. So far as Manchester is concerned, immediate needs “appear to be (1) purchase of films to form a large film library; (2) more projectors, so that films can be used more easily in norma, school work; (3) equipping of more rooms for visual instruction purpose*; (4) further investigation into the problems enumerated, the first one being to sift out the worth-while education:!' films from those available and to suggest definite topics for new films.”