Educational Devices: Debates and Endeavours within the Swiss Teachers’ Association SLV, 1950–1980

Abstract

This article examines how and why elementary and lower secondary school teachers in Switzerland constructed audio-visual media as educational devices. The new technical solutions had to be interpreted and adapted so that they could be considered educational. The educational press and internal minutes of the Swiss Teachers’ Association SLV show the public discussions as well as internal conflicts. They allow conclusions to be drawn about the role of the teacher association in constructing educational media. They also show the part played by political and practical issues in the evaluation and development of educational media. The article ends with a conclusion that outlines the different ways in which Swiss elementary and lower secondary school teachers dealt with new teaching media.