Title:TECHNIQUE OF INSTRUCTION IN THE ARMY Part I - Foundations [Main Title]
Film Number:DRA 775
Other titles:
Summary: An examination of good and bad instructional practice in a training film for army instructors.
Description: Opens with 3 cases of soldiers killed in battle through their incompetence or rather, it is suggested, through the failure of their instructors (a man unable to operate a Bren; a scout car halted by map-reading difficulties; a lorry-driver preferring tea to camouflage). An example of bad instruction follows; the commentary points out its weaknesses by comparison with teaching a mate a particular trick in the bar. The instruction scenes at the army school and in the bar are cross-cut, showing the parallel way they are improved as technique is bettered: the basic points are to use as many of the trainee's senses as possible, eg hearing (explanation), sight (demonstration) and touch (practice), to make sure of comprehension by creating a "two-way traffic" of communication, and to prepare the lesson thoroughly in advance. Scenes of training in the 3 areas where opening examples failed are shown; in a re-staging of the first, the now-competent Bren-gunner wipes out an enemy attack.
