Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Assignment Guidance Handout 3 Background
Assignment Guidance Handout 3 Background
Handout 3
Background
Williams, R. (1974), Television, Technology and Cultural Form, London: Fontana Collins
Williams rejects any form of technological determinism. He rejects those arguments which
insist that technologies have a life of their own, that they emerge from a process of
research and development untarnished by social expectations or political and economic
interests. He rejects just as forcefully the arguments that technologies, by themselves,
can determine a social response, that they have determining effects and consequences
which are just as equally resistant to the complications and uncertainties of society and
history. In other words, he rejects the characterisation of television as technology, as
such. It is not reducible.
Activity
1) Based on our review of the American history of technology last week and in
light of the above, write a paragraph outlining your thoughts on the interplay
between technology and education. Try to bring in social expectations and
political and economic interests.
‘It’s often assumed that new technologies cause social and educational
change….’
(Extension activity: Attempt to explain why this is the case in your institution
and evaluate the impact it has on the service you provide).