本文嘗試以1826 年創立於英國倫敦地區的「實學推廣社」 (Society for the Diffusion of the Useful Knowledge, S.D.U.K.)，透過巡 迴訪問與問卷所蒐集到有關盛行於城市地區的技工學社(Mechanic Institution)的資料，探討其硬體設備、演講和課程，希冀藉由資料內 容管窺當時勞工知識生活。 本論文分為三部份：第一部份探討「實學推廣社」對技工學社 的考察。第二部份探究技工學社的知識生活設施－圖書館、博物館、 閱讀室、演講廳的硬體設備與相關規定；第三部份探討技工學社主 辦演講主題與議題內容。 技工學社雖對勞工教育具有極大貢獻，但其僅透過閱讀室、演講 途徑散布知識的方式，必定導致類型、內容和散布對象的局限性。「實 學推廣社」便創立於改良技工學社種種缺失的基礎上，結合日益精良 的印刷技術，於1826 年至1846 年間，出版文庫、百科全書、年曆地 圖、勞工教育和傳記等五種類型刊物提供不同需求者，對當時勞工教 育亦傾注莫大助益。

Society for the Diffusion of the Useful Knowledge (S.D.U.K) was established in 1826. S.D.U.K studied the hardware, speeches and programs held by Mechanic Institution which was prevailed in metropolis by interview or questionnaire survey. This paper examines British Labour education and education-related activities using the collection of S.D.U.K.. This paper divides into three parts. The first part states the inspection of Mechanic Institution made by S.D.U.K.. The second part refers to the facilities and management of Mechanic Institution-library, museum, studying room and hall etc. The last part states the topic of speeches, held by Mechanic Institution, and concerned subject. Mechanic Institution might an important role in the labor’s education. But the effect of spreading the knowledge is often limited by the spreading way, like reading room or speeches. S.D.U.K. modified the knowledge spreading way of Mechanic Institution. By the improved printing technology, S.D.U.K. published various Library of Useful Knowledge, Penny Cyclopedia, Map, Working Man’s Companion, labors’ education and biography. Those publications greatly influenced the labors’ education at that time.