mnvmnv of ttuKorc. ^ / y / ' BULLETIN OF THE U N I V E RS I|D!yCD R OKLAHOMA NEW SERIES NO. 96. UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERIES NO. 25 THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA QUARTERLY BULLETIN THE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND WELFARE VISUAL INSTRUCTION -=#( BEAD SUPPLEMENT to* ☆ Pan * u Norman, Oklahoma September 19 15 The University Bulletin, published by the university, is issued every three months on the fifteenth as follows: March, June, Septem¬ ber, and December. Entered at the postoffice at Norman, as second class matter, under act of congress of July 16, 1894. INTRODUCTION In this bulletin we wish to give as far as possible a clear and succinct explanation of Visual Instruction,—its purpose, plans, methods, cost, etc. While the object of the University Extension is to bring to Oklahoma the benefits of a service which has attained such popularity in other states, the experience of other states is of limited value, because the aim here is to introduce the service especially into rural schools,—a thing which has not yet been successfully done on a large scale. Most of the features of the Oklahoma plan are new. It is easy to furnish visual in¬ struction to the towns but to reach isolated rural schools is a very different proposition. It can only be done -by local cooperation with the University Extension. Where the county superintendent or a local com¬ mittee can take hold of it energetically success is easily possible. The plan proposed is of course subject to modification as ex¬ perience may suggest. Patience and persistence will be required, but the result will amply reward them. Some one may ask, “Why was not a perfect plan studied out to begin with instead of groping along in an experimental way?” As well ask, “Why was not the present steam engine made at first. Why is not everything perfect to begin with?” To one who has given the problem no study it may seem very simple, but while difficulties are not insurmountable their elimi¬ nation will require careful and willing cooperation. The most mportant factor in the enterprise is the county superintendent; and to him will be chiefly due the honor of success. The service puts a new and great instrumentality into his hands, it will greatly increase the value and influence of his office and enable him to be a still greater factor in the struggle for educational and social improvement. All authorities agree that the chief difficulties of rural life are isolation, the lack of wholesome and interesting entertain¬ ment, and the resulting lack of cooperation. Nothing else yet suggested promises more for the alleviation or removal of these conditions than Visual and Musical Instruction. It is a cause well worth our effort and devotion. 3 11.33 afHv UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ’ DEC i% IQS O VISUAL INSTRUCTION 4 WHAT IS IT? 1. Visual instruction is teaching by means of explained pic¬ tures, diagrams, maps, etc. Fully 85% of all we know is learned thru the eyes. Impressions thru the eyes are by far the most vivid, accurate, and permanent. This is one reason why children delight so in pictures; they are more significant and meaningful than any other means of knowledge. The same knowledge can be obtained far more clearly, easily, and permanently by pictures than by any other means yet known. While the value of visual instruction has long been known recent investigation and discoveries have greatly increased the appreciation of it. New York and California have already estab¬ lished state departments entirely devoted to it; while in Wis¬ consin it is one of the most prominent departments of University Extension. It supplements all other kinds of educational en¬ deavor and opens up new fields of educational effort. HOW USED 2. Visual instruction has long been known in the form of illustrated lectures given by traveling lecturers. This is so expensive that very few such lecturers can afford to carry with them an outfit sufficient to meet the demands, and so such service has been very limited; or it has been given with cheap apparatus with corresponding results. The “Magic Lantern Show” has never been worthy the name of Visual Instruction. THE PROBLEM SOLVED 3. The problem has been to save the avoidable expenses and put all the money into the essentials. Experiments in Wisconsin f 7 r 3 and other states show that it can be done. The first problem was to save the cost of the lecturer,—his salary and traveling expenses. It has been found that there are in every community a number of men and women and even children who are abund¬ antly able to commit to memory a simple lecture describing a set of stereopticon slides illustrating a great variety of subjects such as Travel, Science, Literature, History, Industries, etc. It has been found also that the benefits to the community from having this done at home are one of the greatest values of visual instruction; the illustrations aid the teacher as well as the learner. Doing the work at home increases the community self- respect and confidence, so that we hear less of, “We can’t do anything here.” HOW THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED 4. Typewritten copies of the lectures subscribed for by a community are sent to it in advance and are assigned by the teacher or local committee to different individuals to prepare. Some of the lectures, at least, may be divided among several of the young people in the community, or even among the older pupils in the school. The manuscript of the lecture is added to the school library and will be reread with increasing interest after the pictures illustrating it have been seen. So the com¬ munity gets the benefit both of receiving and giving the infor¬ mation imparted by the lectures, and at the same time eliminates the chief expense. COOPERATION REDUCES COST 5. A first class illustrated lecture with stereopticon and slides costs from $50.00 up. Many communities cannot afford this, but by combining, the cost to each community may be made insignificant. Slides can be rented from Kansas City, for ex¬ ample, at the rate of $2.00 a day for every day they are out, in¬ cluding time required for transportation, and the express both. 4 -ways. It is evident, then, that the possibility of visual instruc¬ tion depends upon the cooperation of neighboring communities. Where such cooperation can be secured the University Extension can furnish better service for only $6.00 for a course of six lectures, an average of only $1.00 a lecture. Cooperation under the leadership of the county superintendent may bring to every community in the state lectures which were formerly in the reach of only the larger towns. THE NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS 6. Visual Instruction opens a new door of opportunity to the enterprising and aspiring teacher. He may not only greatly increase the range of his teaching and influence, but this service will aid him in making the school more of a community center; so by its use he may greatly increase the scope of his work and his usefulness to society. It gives him great opportunities both for leadership and service; it is an inspiring call to the teacher whether man or woman, both for its own direct value, and be¬ cause it is a stepping stone to so many other kinds of community effort. COMMUNITY CENTERS 7. The purpose of the Visual Instruction service is not only to give information and entertainment but to aid in the upbuilding of the community. It stimulates community thought and feeling and paves the way for all kinds of community cooperation and effort. It is urged that every community receiving this service add to it other forms of community effort; among the most valuable and practicable have been found to be a Debating Club, an Agricultural Club, and a musical organization to promote community singing. The Extension Divisions of both the Uni¬ versity and A. & M. College will render all possible assistance in establishing and sustaining these community activities. THE LECTURES 8. These are being prepared as rapidly as possible. The subjects now in preparation are as follows: India, Japan, Egypt, Colorado, Hawaii, Niagara Falls—Yellowstone Park—Keokuk Dam—History of Shoes, Good Roads, Flower Forms and Colors in Relation to Insect Visits, Animal Coloration, Astronomy, Mexico and the Mitla Ruins, Washington City, Scenic Wonders of Our Great West, New Era in Country Life, New Era in Country Schools, Holy Land. This list will be increased as fast as resources permit. THE PICTURES 9. The pictures are painted in natural colors and are the very best that can be obtained. They are packed in a carefully made shipping case to prevent breakage and are sent from county to county according to a prearranged schedule. When a set of slides reaches a county the county superintendent or local committee adds the advertising slides of that county, puts it with the sereopticon outfit, and starts it on its tour thru the county. After completing the tour it comes back to the county superintendent or local committee or agent, who takes out the advertising slides of that county and sends the box of slides on to the next county. When the next box of slides comes to that county the same process is repeated. A LECTURE COURSE 10. The most convenient and economical lecture course consists of six lectures, given one every month for six months. The legislative appropriation for university extension is utterly in¬ sufficient to give every community what it wishes. The only sure way for any community to get the service is to form a club of 12 communities in the county. These groups or clubs will be provided for first because of their less cost and greater effici¬ ency. However, communities which are unable to get into a 6 group will be taken care of just as soon as possible. TOTAL EXPENSE 11. So far as the University Extension is concerned the total expense is $6.00 for a course of six lectures, given monthly for six consecutive months. This is received as a deposit only, and whatever portion of it is not used will be refunded at the end of the lecture course. Checks or drafts for this fund should be made payable to Mr. C. H. Bessent, Cashier of the Security State Bank, Norman, Okla., who has been appointed trustee for this fund. He will pay it out on the order of J. W. Scroggs, Director of University Extension in charge of this department. In addition to the deposit required by the University Exten¬ sion, there will be the local expense for stereopticon outfit, express, and other necessary expenses. We can only estimate these and the estimates will vary in different counties. Of course reductions in cost may be made by a good many counties buying together. At the request of several county superintend- ents the University Extension has undertaken chasing agent with the result shown below: to act as pur- Article Retail price Price thru us Stereopticon $30.00 $18.00 Adapter and lens 10.00 6.00 Prest-o-lite tank 18.00 12.35 Screen 15.00 9.00 Case for Screen, etc. 4.50 2.15 Case for Stereopticon- 7.50 4.50 $85.00 $52.00 These prices are for the very best equipment which can be obtained. When the prest-o-lite tank which furnishes gas for the light is empty it may be exchanged for a new tank at any garage by paying $2.50. (In some parts of the state the charge 7 is $3.00). The cost of express will be slight and will depend on the itineraries of the lectures as arranged by the county superin¬ tendents. Note that the expense which goes to the University Extension is definite and exact : —just $6.00. The Extension has nothing whatever to do with the other expenses except to aid communi¬ ties in getting reductions in cost, as shown above. This service is given entirely without charge. HOW WORK CAN BE DONE 12. The natural head of such an enterprise in any county is the County Superintendent. He acts as agent for the com¬ munities which subscribe for the service, and is local manager. If there is a farm demonstrator it is very desirable that a County Committee be formed of which he is. a member, thereby bringing to the county not only the assistance of the University but the great resources of the A. & M. College. The watchword of the future must be cooperation. The utmost harmonious utilization of all our resources will be none too much for the solution of the great problem of rural betterment which is before us. THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT S WORK 13. The most important work of the County Superintendent or local committee is to arrange an itenerary, to procure the necessary supplies, to make necessary rules, and assume the general management of the entire enterprise. He arranges an itinerary showing the exact date each month’s lectures will reach each district and publishes this in the county papers, or otherwise notifies those interested. In arranging an itinerary it is well to have the first and last places convenient to the place from which the lecture slides will come, and to the place to which they will go next. Where counties are adjacent it is often best for the county superintendents to arrange their itineraries so 8 VISUAL INSTRUCTION SUPPLEMENT TO BULLETIN NO. 25. Experience has taught us that certain changes are advisable in the plans for serving the state with Visual Instruction lec¬ tures. These changes will make the service more practical, as well as more practicable, and more adaptable to the outlying- communities. 1. We shall not expect any set of slides to serve more than 15 communities per month. This gives an average of two days for each lecture. Last year we endeavored to reach 24 com¬ munities each month. This haste required that nobody slip a c °g. 2. Ten communities should compose the unit circuit the coming season. Last year we required 12 communities in a county to take the service before we could agree to supply it. Ten communities should be the aim; but we will supply any county as soon as seven communities have paid for the service. A county may develop several circuits. 3. Where the slides and machine are sent from communit}' * to community it is best to be prepared to use the parcel post. To do this it is necessary to eliminate the presto-lite tank and screen from the stereopticon equipment. Nearly every community has an automobile equipped with a presto-lite gas tank. This tank can be removed and carried in¬ to the assembly room with very little inconvenience. The new¬ ly invented burner consumes not more than ten cents worth of gas at each entertainment. Someone will generally donate the little gas needed; or one dollar would well pay him for the season’s service. Every school house should have a permanent screen as pare of its equipment. For a total cost of about $4.00 a screen may be mounted on a frame which hangs over the black board din¬ ing the entertainment and afterwards may be drawn up face to the ceiling entirely out of the way. Here is the plan: Buy at the lumber yard two pieces of wall board (a heavy paper pulp) 4 x 6 ft. Mount these on a frame 6 x 8 ft. made of strips x 1*4 inches set on edge. Thus the screen will contain a single pei- pendicular crack. Along this central crack the small wire nail It chiefs shod Icf be sank. These depressions' as wed as the cracf: shoald be filled with thick paint taken from the can before mix¬ ing. This special white paint is bought at the lumber yard. Follow directions and keep the paint thin with raw linseed oil. After covering the screen with two coats of the white paint finish with a coat of aluminum and gold paint. A can of each may be obtained at the store seding paints. Mix both together 4 feet 4 feet with raw linseed oil and keep thin. Paint this last coat with the brush marks drawn perpendicularly. By this precaution the screen will reflect to the side better. Hang the screen in two heavy screw eyes so it wdl swing. Place a 15-cent pulley in the ceiling with a hook in the end of the rope. Hook this hook to a strong cord attached to the bottom corners of the screen. In this way the screen is held against the ceiling from the Corners and sagging and the consequent warping is pre¬ vented. Every screen must be smooth to reflect a picture evenly. Where several communities secure the services of the same painter who can make the entire screen a saving in the cost may be realized. 2 THE HHB-AND-SPOKE PL AH. During the coming season many city superintendents 'pi a ft to direct a circuit of six to ten nearby communities. The super¬ intendent himself generally makes the first round delivering lecture No. 1. Other lectures are given by the high school stu¬ dents learning to become public speakers. Thus a valuable fund >of exact knowledge is secured for life to these students. This plan has the great advantage of relieving the over-worked county superintendent from the circuit-directing responsibility. "Where this .plan is followed the complete outfit including the screen and tank should be procured. Often ten merchants are ready to cooperate and purchase the entire outfit. Each con¬ tributes a tenth of the machine fund which is handled by the director of the circuit, and should be more than the bare cost of the outfit. Each local firm thus contributing is allowed one ad. slide before each entertainment given with the outfit. Trips are made to school houses three or four times a week until the circuit has been served with any lecture, THE COST. The deposit for the use of the slides is the same—$1.00 for each lecture asked for, payable strictly in advance. Each com¬ munity retains the manuscript furnished. If for any reason a lecture fails to reach a community it will be supplied later to tho c e whose money was invested. The prices for the stereopticon outfit quoted in bulletin No. 25, page 7, changed July 1, 1916. We prefer that circuits buy their machine direct from the factory. We are not pushing the sale of any machine; but found the Victor, made by The Victor Animatograph Co., Davenport, la., best suited to our needs. Though the cost of all material has soared recently, the Exten¬ sion Division, as purchasing agent, will endeavor to save for the communities about 30 percent of the cost of each outfit if bought singly. Wholesale prices effective until Oct. 1, f. o. b. Norman are as follows: Victor stereopticon machine (with new burner and case com¬ plete) $31.00. Size B Presto-lite tank filled ready for use (price subject to change) $13.00. Gold King screen mounted on roller (with case complete) $14.00. 3 When the plan including the use of parcel post is followed only the stereopticon machine need be purchased. Upon re¬ ceipt of a check drawn in favor of C. H. Bessent, Trustee, in ac¬ cordance with the above prices, we will endeavor to fill orders. It is indispensable to the service to exhibit all the advertis¬ ing slides. The Extension Division retains the privilege of placing not more than ten such slides in each box of lecture slides. These slides advertise good firms whose business is un¬ objectionable. Without the small income derived from these advertising slides the service could not possibly be furnished at the trifling cost of one dollar per entertainment. We also grant a like privilege to the local director of the service. By showing not more than ten local slides the necessary local ex¬ penses may be met to the mutual benefit of all concerned. Should more than ten local slides be shown, it is against the / explicit instructions of the Extension Division. All income from advertising becomes a deposit and is paid out only for the purpose of making the service possible at the low cost and for improving the system. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS. It is eminently desirable to commence each entertainment with community singing. The power of song exerts a wonder¬ fully harmonizing influence over community gatherings. It de¬ velops the proper social mind and attunes the sensitive chords to responsive action. For this purpose we are printing a num¬ ber of songs suitable for such occasions, including state, na¬ tional, folk, school, and religious selections. These books wil! soon be available at cost—probably $3.00 per 100. In the majority of schools it is feasible for the teacher to get two or three pupils to give recitations. These recitations give variety, which is the secret of every successful program, and are much enjoyed by the parents who might othrwise stay at home. Many teachers have added greatly to the development of neighborly sentiment by enjoying at the end of the entertain¬ ment some seasonable refreshments. For instance, one suc¬ cessful teacher built a bon fire in the early evening during May around which the young folks played games while the older people made ice cream and visited. They then filled the school house to overflowing while the entertainment was given and at 4 its close returned to thebon fire to eat the ice cream. That is real comm ( unity development. This teacher has now a state¬ wide reputation as a community builder and his work has changed for the better a generation of young people. Much permanent information has been gained by the pupils in several schools where the teachers clinched the lecture- aroused insight by special study the following day. Some teachers required the older pupils to write an essay on what they learned. These essays were a source of pride to the par¬ ents and made them eager to attend the lecture where they could gain interesting facts from this new source of knowledge. Other teachers asked each pupil to report on one slide. At the close of this short report the school would turn to the map and geography and encyclopedia and locate the source of the pic¬ ture and learn more about the life and interests of that country. Since the purpose of this service is to place at the disposal of live local forces the means whereby the entire community may come together at least once a month to become better ac¬ quainted and to develop the cooperative spirit, we merely sug¬ gest the folowing as a possible and successful program: Community Singing_15 minutes (a) Old Folks at Home (b) The Old Oaken Bucket (c) Oklahoma (d) Faith of Our Fathers (e) America (all standing) Recitations (two or three) _15 minutes Illustrated Lecture _60 minutes Refreshments Song—Goodnight Ladies. The persons who handle the slides at any lecture should use care to see that the numbers on the corner of the slides follow each other in order. Otherwise slide number ten might come where fifty should be. When the slides are sent out they are arranged in exactly the same order as in the lecture manuscript. It is essential to secure a clear focus with the stereopticor. machine. A little practice will enable any intelligent person to find a clear focus. (1) Take out and clean the large condens¬ ing lens. Work over the table, for dropping them on the floor will break them. Don’t interchange them—the shorter focus 5 goes next to the burner. (2) Draw back the lamp house about an inch. (3) Slip back and forth the small, telescoped rods. (4) Get the final touch of the focus by turning the knob on the projecting lens. (5) Slowly turn on the gas until you obtain the maximum light without blowing the blue flame away from the burner. If for some unforeseen reason it should become necessary to read the manuscript, it has been done successfully as fol¬ lows: Procure a large pasteboard box such as breakfast foods are shipped in; ventilate with small holes and set a lamp in it; cut three sides of a square door leaving it attached on the upper side; prop up the hanging door with a pin or tooth pick; let the "eader sit by the box in the middle of the room and read with a loud, clear voice. It is often best to read only a part of each paragraph. No slide should ever be kept on the screen longer than one minute. Tap with a pencil for another slide. People demand action these days. Put spirit into the entire program. RULES. DON’T READ THE MANUSCRIPT. EXPLAIN TWO OR THREE FACTS ABOUT EACH SLIDE. DON’T LEAVE ANY PICTURE ON THE SCREEN LONGER THAN ONE MINUTE. CLEAN THE INSIDE LENS. FOCUS THE MACHINE PRACTICE GETTING THE BEST LIGHT. DON’T EXPECT TOO MUCH. ADD VARIETY TO THE PROGRAM. DETERMINE TO SUCCEED. Tishomingo, Oklahoma, June 19, 191(1 Dr. J. W. Scroggs, Norman, Oklahoma. Dear Friend: The lectures were largely attended and the people were well pleased with the work, which I aim to put in more of my districts next year. This is the best thing I have seen to build up community interest and co-operation in the school, not to speak of the instruction the people get at the lectures. I wish every dis¬ trict in Johnston County would take it next year. With best wishes for you and the great work that our greatest school is doing in Oklahoma, I remain, Very truly yours T. D. D. QUAID. January 5, 1916. Dear Mr. Scroggs: The lectures have been appreciated by our people. J think that next year we shall have no trouble in having all our schools take the course and this will make nice work. June. 26, 1916. We have received four of the six lectures paid for. I gave each district taking the course the privelege or money re¬ funded or the remaining numbers in the fall. All have asked for the remaining numbers of the course. Very truly, L. E. RATHBUN, County Supt., Texas County. I have used the stereopticon picture machine as put out by the University Extension Division in my work in the Custer County Model School. Nothing that we have tried has succeeded so well in up¬ building the community center idea. Not only are the lectures entertaining, but they are extremely educational as well. This machine is put out at cost by the Extension Division of the State University and is one of the many ways that institution is serving its people. You may be sure of fine treatment on the part of these gentlemen in getting slides etc. J. P. GIBBS, Indianapolis, Oklahoma I find visual instruction as introduced by the University of Oklahoma has been a great thing in Pottawatomie County to get the people in rural communities together. It is an easy matter to get enough local advertising to pay expenses and when once a lecture is successfully given it is no trouble to promote the series and instill into the people the purpose of the visual instruction idea. Every school in our county that 7 had the lectures last year wants them next year and every school district in our circuit has asked to join it The only chance of failure I can see in the plan, is the im¬ proper giving of the lecture. Several of my high school boys took turns giving the lec¬ tures. They gave complete satisfaction besides getting exact information and practice in public speaking, which fully re¬ paid their efforts. H. L. ALLEN, Tecumseh, Okla. We are having good crowds. It is a success beyond our highest expectations.—T. D. FELTS, County Supt., Love county. The best thing I have yet tried in arousing interest in school work.—S. M. McCUISTION, County Supt., McClain County. “The lectures are the finest thing I know to build up community spirit.,,—WILLIAM SMITH, Teacher in Potta¬ watomie County. “Our people are always eager for the next lecture to come.” —JOHN WILHITE, Elgin, Comanche County. that the box of slides can pass immediately from one county to the other by having the first district in one county near to the last district in the other. This will save time and expense in transferring slides from one county to another. THE OPERATION 14. The county superintendent sees that the first operator who is to manipulate the stereopticon learns how to manage it. Suppose the lecture goes first to District 32, on Nov. 1st, and on the following night, Nov. 2nd, to District 46. The one who is to manage the stereopticon in District 46 on Nov. 2nd goes to District 32 on the night of Nov. 1st. (If possible the one who gives the lecture should go also.) The operator in District 32 (who has learned from the county superintendent how to man¬ age the instrument) is to show the operator from District 46 all he can • about managing the instrument. Then the latter operator takes the outfit home with him, where he shows the operator from the next district what he himself has learned. In this way the lecture outfit passes from district to district till it has reached all the districts who have subscribed for the service. The instructions which accompany each instrument are ample to enable any one to manipulate it perfectly. HOW THE MONEY CAN BE RAISED 15. In many counties the county commissioners are buying the stereopticon outfit so that it is the permanent property of the county as it ought to be. Where they do this but little money is required, only $6 for each community. If a little advertising can be secured no more money will be needed. It is easy to secure enough money by advertising to pay for the outfit; in some counties this has already been done. Money may also be raised by suppers, entertainments, concerts, or by subscription. In many communities the school boards are appropriating the 9 $6 .00; this will be done everywhere as soon as the work comes to be understood. No possible use of $6.00 could render so much educational service; and it reaches not only the school but the entire community. WHAT IS DONE WITH THE $6.00? 16. This is a fair question. At the end of the lecture courses next spring- a full report of expenditures will be published and a copy furnished each subscriber. The chief costs of the visual instruction service are preparing and printing the lectures, the slides and their cases, clerical work, traveling expenses, postage, and smaller incidentals. The $6.00 will not pay all this expense. As stated elsewhere, it is expected that advertising will pay a large part of it. The entire service is conducted in the most open way possible, and every phase of it is open to the inspection of each subscriber. It is hoped that the County Superintendents of the state will appoint an auditing committee to examine the expenditure of the $6.00 deposits. THE LECTURE MANUSCRIPTS 17. Some lectures are prepared by members of the faculty of the University of Oklahoma, some have been procured from the University of Wisconsin, some have been purchased from the publishers, and some are prepared by the University Extension of the University of Oklahoma. The total cost of the lectures varies from fifty to several hundred dollars. ADVERTISING 18. Each county may exhibit not over 10 advertising slides with each lecture. When a box of slides reaches a county the county superintendent puts the advertising slides into it along with the lecture slides. After wide consultation the following schedule of prices has been adopted. At these prices the service offers advertising opportunities which are absolutely unequalled either in economy or effectiveness. 10 1 advertisement, one slide, 1 month, 24 exhibitions, 4,000 to 7,000 spectators, $7.50. 1 advertisement, one slide, 3 months, 72 exhibitions, 12,000 to 20,000 spectators, $20.00. 1 advertisement, one slide, 6 months, 144 exhibitions, 24,000 to 40,000 spectators, $30.00. The University Extension reserves 3 minutes at the begin¬ ning of each lecture for ads which we will solicit. These are in addition to the local slides described above. It is this which reduced the price of the lectures to $6.00 from $12.00 as at first announced. No questionable advertisements are to be accepted. No means at the local advertiser’s command can equal this as a means of familiarizing the public with his name and busi¬ ness. The local committee can easily obtain enough advertising to buy the lecture outfit and meet all incidental expenses. The advertiser must of course furnish his own slides. These can be obtained from slide makers from $1.00 up according to style. The Extension Division will act as agent without charge in securing such slides when requested. HANDLING THE STEREOPTICON 19. Full and lucid explanations are given with each instru¬ ment so that any one can readily learn to manipulate it. A few additional suggestions will not be amiss. 1. Keep lenses and slides clean. They should never be touched with the bare fingers, and when this cannot be helped the glass should be wiped off with a clean, soft cotton cloth at once. The heating of the glass will in time etch the dirt into the surface of the glass and cause the pictures to be both dim and indistinct. 2. Turn the light low at first so that the lenses will heat up gradually. If heated suddenly, especially in cold weather they are apt to crack. After use the instrument should cool off slowly. 11 It should never be taken out into the cold air till it has cooled off. 3. Be very careful of the slides. Do not pile them up where they may be knocked off; this easily happens in the dark. The best plan is to put each slide back into the slide case when it is taken out of the stereopticon. Be sure that the slide case is not placed where it can fall. Some of the cases of slides are worth from $75.00 to $100.00 and should be handled accordingly. 4. The prest-o-lite tanks of 40 cub. ft. capacity usually give light for 60 or 65 hours, and so one tank should last for 30 lectures if no gas is wasted. The pressure when fresh is about 275 or 280 lbs.; after the pressure gets below 40 lbs. the light is likely to become dimmer. As soon as the pressure runs low and the light begins to be dim take the tank to the nearest garage and exchange it for a new one. In any one evening’s use the pressure should never diminish more than 8 or 9 lbs. It is easy to calculate, then, how long the tank will last. Suppose the pressure gauge stands at 146; that would be 106 lbs. above 40, and the tank should be good for about 12 lectures. MUSICAL INSTRUCTION 20. The old fashioned singing school has never been replaced. Community singing is more neglected in the United States than in any other great country, and no where more than in Oklahoma. The special object of the University Extension musical in¬ struction is the development of community singing; it is as much sociological as musical. People will sing together who will not speak when they meet. Music is our greatest agency in the development of the social mind, and so prepares the way for all kinds of cooperative and progressive effort. THE PLAN 21. The University Extension employs several excellent music instructors and conductors and furnishes them at cost to 12 such committees as desire their services. They are thorough musicians and in every way fine men. They will aim in every way to develop musical taste and skill in the communities where they are called. And everywhere they will organize and leave behind them a musical organization for community singing. Most of the music will be furnished free by the University Ex¬ tension. The Instructor will remain for two weeks and will teach three or more classes a day, or as many as the community will provide for. The day classes will be given especially to teaching, but the evening meetings should be given as much as possible to Community Singing, Chorus Singing in which the entire community can participate. THE COST 22. One of these instructors will come to any community and teach a class for $60, board, and one half the gross proceeds of a concert at the close. In some cases the school board is appropriating the money as a part of the regular edu¬ cational expense of the community. As the work becomes better known this will be the rule, for everybody can then attend, especially the children of the poor who need the solace of music the most. Or, a class of 30 may pay $2.00 each; or a class of 40 $1.50 each, and so on. Altho these charges lack considerable of paying the actual cost of the service, yet if a community can get 25 students sub¬ scribed at $2.00 apiece an instructor will come and we will take chances on his being able to increase the enrollment to 30 after he begins. There is no doubt but that it would be good educa¬ tional policy for the state to pay a larger proportion of the cost of this musical service but the legislative appropriation is utterly inadequate. 13 EQUIPMENT 23. The class must furnish the room well lighted, an instru¬ ment for accompaniment. Where it is at all possible a piano and organ should both be furnished. If there are those who play a violin, clarinet, cornet, or other orchestra instrument the conductors will utilize them. The aim is to fully develop and organize all the musical resource of the community. In some cases the members of the class will be required to provide them¬ selves with text books; the chorus music and music for commun¬ ity singing will be furnished free by the University Extension. QUESTIONS ANSWERED (These questions have been asked). What do you mean by Visual Instruction? See sections 1, 2. What are you aiming at? See sections 6, 7. Who gives the lectures? See sections 3, 4. How do we get the machine from place to place? See sec¬ tions 13, 14. What does the machine cost? See section 11. What is done with the $6.00? See section 16. What would the machine cost if bought singly? The retail price. See section 11. What subjects do the lectures cover? See section 8. What is the total cost to each community? See section 11. Who has charge of the machine? The County Superinten¬ dent. See sections 12, 13, 14. Can we get the lectures without having a debating or other club? Yes. See section 7. How can we raise the money? See sections 15, 18. How soon must we know? New groups will begin the first 14 and fifteenth of each month. What about a school where there are no large pupils? As good as any. Do 12 schools have to go together, or can a different number combine? See section 10. How may we know it is not graft? Because you are offered $300 worth of lectures for $6.00. See Section 5. We shall be glad to answer any other questions. While these two lines of service will add greatly to the hap¬ piness and enjoyment of country life, they will do much more. They will create the spirit of unity and cooperation which are indespensable to all rural progress; to agricultural credits, to cooperative buying and selling, to better educational facilities, better enforcement of laws,—to everything that depends upon cooperative effort. It will also render much direct service to good roads, sanitation and health and vigor, and to moral and intellectual advancement. WHAT ONE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT THINKS WHO HAS TRIED IT Fairview, Okla., Oct. 20, 1915. Dear Dr. Scroggs: The Stereopticon Lecture work is in full force in Major coun¬ ty and the indication is good for a successful operation. Four machines were started on Monday night of this week. The visual instruction work has done more for the school work of this county already than anything before. It has created an interest in education that could not be surpassed. It has exceeded my greatest expectations in interest and so far in attendance at the meetings. The lectures which you sent are all good. Respectfully, T. E. McLAIN. County Superintendent Major County. 15 The University Bulletin has been established by the university. The reasons that have led to such a step are: first, to provide a means to set before the people of Oklahoma, from time to time, information about the work of the different departments of the university: and, second, to provide a way for the publishing of departmental reports, papers, theses, and such other matter as the university believes would be helpful to the cause of education in our state. The Bulletin will be sent post free to all who apply for it. The university desires especially to exchange with other schools and colleges for similar publications. Communications should be addressed: THE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN University Hall, Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma University Press