The history of an illusion: Schooling via television from 1945 to 1985

While the concept of television as an educational tool appeared as early as 1945, it was when TV sets became common household items in the 1960s that the idea expanded and took shape—education then making up 20% of air time. Almost all school disciplines were covered and lesson plans and worksheets that were drafted by the instructor in charge of production accompanied the programs. In 1966, a pilot school opened where middle schoolers had access to receivers and were given an “all audiovisual” education. However, as the French started buying their own TV sets and as RTF began to offer on-site coverage and cultural programs, educational television seemed to lose its relevance and was phased out during the 1980s.