Paulo Freire is author of an influential book called "Pedagogy of the Oppressed". Freire's book conveys his philosophical thinking's on the current state of education in world. This some what new view along with his activism in Brazil has made him one of the greatest minds and greatest teachers of the 20Th century. Freire grew up in poverty in Brazil during the great depression. An era of significant social and political change and civil movements. In this time in Brazil there was a huge gap in the education of Brazilians. Many could not even read and write and this kept them from participating in any political say in their country; because you must be literate to vote. This influenced Paulo's perception on the type of education available to the lower class.
His book discusses the oppression of education upon people due to their social class, gender or race. Freire criticises the standard method of "banking"in the education system. "Banking" the one sided method of a teacher depositing information in to the students mind lacks accumulation of critical thinking. What he proposes is a two way give and take method in which the student is the teacher and the teacher is the student and visa versa. This asking why am I to learn this will in the end stimulate each party. His method helped him to teach illiterate adults to read and write with in 30 days.
The humanitarian prospect affiliated with the elimination of banking and the replacment with a "give and take" relationship from both student and teacher helps to broaden community. This system brings people of all class, gender and race closer together, to knit a tight community. People every where understanding people of all race, gender and class. This is a path to a greater caring world and population. So we need to ask why? Question authority ( when appropriate) and respect every one's diverse views. We live in a Global community even more in this day and age than ever. And to respect every one's views and to take in, and learn from one an other's experiences humanity will flourish.
1 comment:
key ideas here: Pedagogy of the Oppressed, political and social change,
...note to all students: remember that these notions are not necessarily applied to those who are poor or cannot read or write; the reason this concept is key in education, for example, is because it applies to anyone who does not critically think or not shown how, or blindly accepts what is taught in schools or preached in politics. To fully participate in a system, respect must be present. Respect leads to hearing/experiencing the other's person side via dialogue, scaffolding that dialogue to new ideas, putting those ideas into practice so that everyone is served. See how this is important for any election? Thank you for your work, Colleen!
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