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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 1974)
Page 12 THE BATTALION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1974 Films translate ‘nonsense’ to sense CHAPMANL DECORAT ING CENTER IN COLLEGE STATION 2307 S. Texas Avenue 846-1734 CARPET BY EVANS-BLACK STEPHENS GULISTAN & OTHERS BENJAMIN MOORE PAINT PRODUCTS AND SUPPLIES Amrock Decorative Hardware VINYL u, FLOORCOVERING BY ARMSTRONG « CONGOLEUM GAF WALLCOVERINGS BY BIRGE DWOSKIN WALL CLAD AND OTHERS ....... A TAMU psychologist hopes to make “nonsense” into sense for teachable children that are mentally retarded. Dr. Giessen Martin, head of the TAMU Department of Psychology, is developing a series of films to aid these children in memorizing as they learn to read. He bases his operation on re search findings that many retarded children can be educated. Many retarded children can re tain the same information as a nor mal child if the retardate is given memory strategies. Earlier strategies included “non sense” syllables which depended heavily on verbal association. Dr. Martin thought that since nonsense syllable learning could be boosted by using certain principles, the same principles might be applied to meaningful words. Through a grant from the Na tional Institute of Education (De partment of Health, Education and Welfare), he has purchased gear and is currently producing experimental 16mm animated films with the aid of graduate student Sam Bays. Dr. Martin estimates that roughly 80 percent of retarded chil dren are able to retain information. About five of every 100 children born are retarded and of those, roughly four are educable to some extent. Study Techniques. “Experiments have just been completed in a couple of Texas in stitutions and have essentially de monstrated that image and word combinations in the films give a sig nificant increase in the rate at which the retardate learns words,” exp lained Dr. Martin. specialized material specifically de signed for retarded learners, points out the psychologist. Ultimately, he noted, it is hoped these new materials will be used in public schools and state institutions. So now, researchers at TAMUitt beginning a nuts-and-bolts studyrj the media components in theft* they are making—the animat®, color and sound—to see what ml how much each adds to theleamini The NIE program is Project FAST, for Facilitation of Academic One of the problems in the field of educating mentally retarded chil dren has been a shortage of ‘Tve been impressed, but bewil dered with programs such as Sesame Street,” he said. “We know they are effective, but we don’t know why or which elements of the program are effective. ” process among educable mental re 1 rAMU’s u. S. D forte; retarded children. “The idea behind this is usitj animation to externally > n( !uce it| conce j the retarded learner the sametyp(I e 43 f, of process the normal child woi engage in,” remarked Dr. Martii TAMU provides ‘technology agents r T -r • n 1*.. (' « ■« 1 . . « a *» Vk . . 'a. T 1 /''» ^ I /-vntni study lof rec( ifety, i.They mu TAMU is one of a select group of institutions providing “technology agents” to serve on the staffs of city and county governments through out the nation for the next three years. “Technology agent” is a term coined to describe Scientists and engineers functioning as today’s counterparts to the county agents who have played such an important role in developing American ag riculture,” noted Dr. Stephen Riter, electrical engineering profes sor who heads TAMU ’s phase of the project. “The task of the technology agent will include finding local problems that new technology might solve. He will also help to bring the tech nology to the problem,” Dr. Riter explained. Public Technology, Inc., a three-year-old non-profit organiza tion formed by a group of state and local government organizations in cluding the Council of State Gov ernments, the International City Management Association, the Na tional Association of Counties, the PICKUP YOUR FREE COPY TODAY! Were cosponsoring ABC Monday Night Football games on television again this year. To make your viewing of each game more enjoyable, we've prepared a special booklet analyzing strengths and weaknesses of each team. We know you'll be watching and we know this free booklet will add to your enjoyment of the games. Come in and get your free copy today. Bryan Building & Loan Association Main Office: 2800 Texas Avenue • Bryan, Tx. 77801 • 713-823-7541 i earlif istaff ated s( ; tha t National Governor’s Conferenct the National League of Cities, ani the U. S. Conference of Mayo* conducts the program. Initial support for the programii provided by a $4.2 million contnd from the National Science Founi tion. According to Riter, particular^ pics will difler among the specili sites but they are expected to i» elude* improved methods for coll«- tion and disposal of solid waste, ei;> loration of alternative fuels for municipal vehicles and develop-B|M i merit of computerized financiilH and management systems. lelop^'i The initial activity of the techno pA to e: ogy agent w ill !><' to identify locrlpentiati problems that appear to be ame&Kneipa ble to technological solution. Inaillartley, dition to his own experienceanditfStatistic* genuity, the technology agent MilDr Har be able to obtain problem-solvic!|fe the si assistance from a major researchaniilar food development organization, suchujimptic TAMU. The program providesfoBjer. th the establishment of formal ties If-Bute ai tween each of the 27 local govem-pny US 1 merits and one of more thanfiftmpet on major research and developmei! organizations which are partidpl’ ing in the program. TAMU is the advisor to Arlinf ton; Little Rock, Ark. and Pueblo Colo. Societies choose department heai tion n conti leare w ileniur 'ital to i lals bu animal ssive c Thus 1 d as oi ms mn .1 lr. Har C. J. Leabo, head of TAMUi |es an i Journalism Department, was Icarcino elected this week to key positionsii | e s the three journalism educational or ganizations, including selection as president-elect of the Americas Society of Journalism School Art ministrators. The society and the American As sociation of Schools and Depart ments of Journalism and Association for Education in Journalism held concurrent meetings at San Diego State University. Leabo was elected to the execu tive committee of the American As sociation of Schools and Depart ments of Journalism, which in cludes institutions having accre dited sequences in journalism. Ht also was named to the membership committee of the Association fa Education in Journalism, the pro fessional organization of journalism educators. The associations repres ent approximately 75 institutions. Leabo has headed the TAMU Journalism Department since 1967. vse ’AMU i n fundi rch to ?s to pi nition. the TA FOR BEST RESULTS TRY BATTALION CLASSIFIED T. MICHAEL RIGGS, D.D.S. announces the opening of his office for the practice of GENERAL DENTISTRY 1842 Greenfield Plaza 846-9148 [system all Cali ation P Funded I Army, gins Se] i princi Wortl il engin SCAM] chanize iductio muniti rking e eflexib trtham This is ct will ar, a qi reloped del wa 1 evalu its. Th, med pr the win ALLEN Oldsmobile Cadillac SALES - SERVICE “Where satisfaction ifl standard equipment” 2401 Texas Ave. 823-8002 La Petite Academy of Dance REGISTER NOW CLASSES START SEPT. 9 3 Yr. Olds Thru Adults TAP-BALLET-JAZZ Classes Limited JAN JONES HAMMOND Teacher 3406 S. College 823-8626 Bryan Douncec E