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Technology for a Sustainable Life.
Images in Swedish Children’s
Literature
Cecilia Axell, Linköping University, Sweden,
Jonas Hallström, Linköping University, Sweden,
Jan-Erik Hagberg, Linköping University, Sweden,
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Aim of paper
• To investigate images of technology and how
technology is linked to sustainable
development in children’s literature.
• The results may contribute to a more general
understanding of the use of children’s fiction in
technology classrooms.
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Children’s literature
1) Children's books reflect social and cultural values​​,
including views of technology and sustainable
development.
2) Children's books are part of a cultural arena that affects
children's view of the world.
3) Children's books have an impact on the attitudes that
children develop towards technology and sustainable
development.
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Pedagogical Implications
• Awaken curiosity and offer opportunities for children’s
inquiry
• Content knowledge is presented in narrative form
• Meaningful context
• Technology and various attitudes to technology and
sustainable development could be critically assessed in the
classroom
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Methodology
We employ a hermeneutic method, that is, interpretation
of the text is based on repeated readings and
examination of the illustrating pictures with the intention
of identifying themes (Ödman, 2007).
We use close reading as B. Brummet defines as: ”the
mindful, disciplined reading of an object with a view to
deeper understanding of its meanings” (Brummet, 2010,
p.3)
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Images of technology and sustainable
development – four examples from
1919 - 2012
Doctor
Klokamundus’
Invension
(1919)
The LittleFellow-Star’
(1969)
Pelle and Uncle
Pettson and
Otto´s Invention Findus (3 books)
(2006)
(1994 – 2012)
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“But how to come up with an engine which is as good
as Uncle Otto’s? I have been trying myself a little bit.
First I thought of sun power. You put a solar collector on
the car roof. But it doesn’t work when it’s raining! The
best thing would be an engine fuelled by rainwater
instead of gasoline! If the engine fails when it’s raining
you just have to funnel the rain and it will fill up all by
itself. A good idea in my view! But as regards the
technical side of it – that’s up to someone else to solve!”
(p. 25-26).
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Pettson and his cat Findus
• Pettson's world is sustainable but to the price of
being static
• The time is before urbanisation, consumer society
and modern communications technology
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Discussion
• Deeply rooted ambivalence towards new technology objects
• Lööf’s and Nordqvist’s books:
detailed descriptions and illustrations of traditional or wellknown artefacts and systems
• Beskow’s, Sandberg’s and Lööf’s books:
deal with ethical concern connected to the expanding
technological systems and its implications for man and nature
• The narratives taken together give examples of images of
technology and what a sustainable society can be
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Four main ways in which technology is
portrayed (Schwarcz (1967), Reynolds (2007) and Applebaum (2010):
• Servant mode: technology is a powerful assistant to man
and a tool to fulfil needs, wishes and dreams
• Deterministic mode: technology is something that has
come out of man’s control
• Benevolent mode: technology is a loyal and “equal”
companion to man
• Nostalgic mode: “older technologies” are better or more
natural than modern (or the latest) technologies and old
technology is attributed a higher value
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Technology appears four contexts:
• Techno-centric context: People use technology to gain
control or economic benefits or become increasingly
dependent on technology. Technology has developed into
a threat.
• Techno-utopian context: Technology is seen as a
positive force to solve human problems and to fulfil man`s
needs. Technological advances must be in harmony with
the environment and nature
• Urban idyllic context: An urban world, which has not
been flooded by modern technology
• Pastoral idyllic context: Technology is a natural tool in a
rural pastoral world. Society rests on an eco-centric vision.
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Messages about children, technology
and sustainable development:
• There is a connection between childhood and nature
• A faith in children’s ability to choose the right path.
• The children are the ones who must take
responsibility for the future and overcome the
problems the current adult generation have created.
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From a gender perspective:
• Men are the source of technological development. They
are the ingenious inventors or the inventing bricolour.
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• Children and women act as spokespersons for nature
and humanity.
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An implicit message:
“It was better before”.
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Thank you!
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