25 Years Ago in JBPA/JBP

Scriptor

Figure 1. A view of the sensing end of the thermometer within its protective device that illustrates lowermost O-ring and the marked immersion level. Note circulation ports in housing.

A very long paper titled "Planning visual media for self instruction" (JBPA, Vol. 38 #3, 1980. pp. 117-137), by the late David E. Gray, was written when self instruction was the "in thing" in many medical schools. In his conclusion Gray states, "Planning visual media for self instruction requires a fundamental understanding of how people learn things. The use of visual media for self instruction rests on the assumptions that individuals learn primarily from what they perceive and that carefully designed visual experiences can influence behavior."

At that time many forms of material were available — video loops, slides, audio tapes, full-length video, and film to mention but a few. These were all housed in study carrels that enabled the student to work in solitude, answer questions, and receive an evaluation at the end of the session.

This was quite a popular learning method with students; however, it lacked one of the most important elements of teaching — contact with students' respective professors or tutors. Nonetheless, this paper has considerable merit and contains some excellent ideas for producing educational material in an attractive form.

Sam Giannavola's short paper, "Photographic thermometer protection device" (JBPA, Vol. 38 #3, 1980. pp. 139-140), focused on a great idea at the time for registered biological photographers (RBP). Those useful devices, which so often got lost, broken, or strayed from the dark room, are now becoming increasingly obsolete!! But, what great photographs of instruments — worthy of any RBP portfolio!

Scriptor