TEACHING AND INFORMATION GIVING 53 



poses the discussion of local problems which are a part of 

 the local program of work, reporting on what has been 

 done on these problems in the community during the previ- 

 ous year, the stimulation of local initiative and leadership 

 and of vision and wise planning for the future. It should 

 be planned by the local committee and be a part of its plan 

 of activities. It will require careful preparation and good 

 advertising to secure the value from it that is in it. 



LANTERN SLIDES AND MOVING PICTURES 



The use of lantern slides and moving pictures as supple- 

 mentary means of teaching offers an opportunity to com- 

 bine the showing or illustration of the things taught, which 

 is an approximation of the demonstration, and of the 

 spoken word method. Both these means involve carrying 

 more or less expensive equipment unless the community is 

 equipped for their use which is often not the case. Moving 

 pictures of course involve more equipment and power fa- 

 cilities than do lantern slides. 



Wherever conditions permit and the subject lends itself, 

 lantern slides offer an effective form of illustration too 

 little utilized by county agents. County agents should if 

 possible be equipped with a portable lantern and slides 

 showing their own work. For the discussion of technical 

 subjects they can secure slides on a great variety of subjects 

 from their state agricultural colleges, the United States 

 Department of Agrciulture and other sources. 



The use of moving pictures in most teaching work is of 

 doubtful value. The film moves too rapidly to enable the 

 teacher to point out details and concrete facts. It rather 

 gives impressions. It may be useful for educational propa- 

 ganda. Film making is also expensive and highly technical. 

 When supplemented by and used in connection with Ian- 



