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Dissertation Information for Judith Holden Masters

NAME:
- Judith Holden Masters

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- Columbia University (USA) (1976)

ADVISORS:
- Jane Anne Therese Hannigan

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Richard L. Darling
- Phil Lange

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Ambiguous

Title: FILM EVALUATION AND SELECTION: A STUDY OF PRACTICES IN THE NEW YORK STATE BOCES

Abstract: This study investigated the current process for the evaluation and selection of films for public schools, grades K-12, in the areas served by the regional Educational Communications Centers of the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services of New York State. These Centers provide film service to approximately 1.6 million students.

A detailed survey instrument comprised of a questionnaire and Personal Data Profile was sent to the 42 Directors of these Centers, the persons legally charged with responsibility for film selection. The Bureau of Educational Communications of the State Education Department endorsed the study, and 100% response was achieved. From the universe a random stratified sample (based on student population served) of 13 BOCES was selected. These sample BOCES Directors responded to an interview schedule which followed up key points in the survey and explored philosophical areas of evaluation and selection which had not lent themselves to survey analysis.

The Directors were also asked to submit for examination copies of their film selection policies, their film catalogs, and lists of films which they had acquired by purchase or lease during the 1973-74 school year. A computer analysis of the film acquisition lists of the 13 sample BOCES indicated the number of different vendors used, the number of titles purchased, and which vendors were used. Five vendors were found to have sold more than half of the titles acquired during 1973-74.

Forty members of the universe completed a checklist of lomm films which had been American Film Festival (EFLA) award winners, indicating which of these titles they had acquired. The purpose was to determine their receptivity to award-winning films. Of 178 titles listed, the largest number owned by any BOCES was 33.

Eight hypotheses were tested concerning the evaluation-selection practices of the BOCES Educational Communications Centers. The process broke down into three phases: identifying and choosing films to be previewed, the evaluation of these films by building -level teachers, and the selection of films to be purchased and leased. The decision to preview is initially based upon the visibility of the film. From 19 sources of possible information regarding films, teacher suggestions, film producers' catalogs and film salesmen were those mostly highly regarded.

The number of teacher requests for a type of film was said to be the primary influence upon the decision to preview. Published reviews and film awards were found to be unimportant influences upon this decision.

Teacher evaluations were said to be the most important influence upon the purchasing decision. It is possible, however that this may have been considered the desired response. Several of the interviewed Directors indicated this, adding that factors such as financial deals with vendors, the Director's personal opinion, and careful preselection of films for evaluation were important influences upon the selection decision.

The investigator found that there is no defined process for training building-level evaluators among the BOCES. The number of evaluators in districts varied widely and was not necessarily in proportion to the number of teachers served by the district. More than 85% of the respondents indicated that their prime method of in-service training for these evaluators was by "encouraging teachers to evaluate films regularly."

The classroom teacher was repeatedly cited as the person whose professional judgment regarding the usefulness of films was paramount. Although more than half the universe said that provision was made for student input on their film evaluation form, in almost all cases this input was found to be teacher interpretation of student reaction.

The BOCES Directors were found to have similar education, experience, and background. They had been trained more as educational communications generalists than as film specialists, and viewed themselves as heading service operations. Three-quarters of them espoused a philosophy of film selection which allowed for both curriculum connected films and films which had some other special value. However, their survey responses indicated that to them the purpose of film in schools was as an instructor, a conveyor of experiences and an attitude change-agent rather than as an art form.

The findings in this study indicate a need for standard evaluation criteria for 16mm film to be used in public schools and joint activity by the library and educational-communications professions toward this end; for networking among the BOCES Centers to reduce unnecessary duplication of evaluating effort; for renewed in-service training for building-level evaluators; for reviewing sources designed expressly for the educational market; for continuing or renewed participation by the Directors in the selection-for-preview phase process; for wider reviewing of 16mm films and more intensive professional reading on the part of the Directors to ensure film selection from the total pool of vendors rather than a limited cluster.

MPACT Scores for Judith Holden Masters

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:01:49

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