Assignment 1b

Paulo Freire is well known for his contribution of his philosophy of education, which roots stem from Plato, anti-colonist and marxist theories. His ideas centered heavily around students and the learning process in which they gained their knowledge. One thing he was best known for was his disagreement with the "banking" process of education. This concept was one that viewed students as empty and devoid of knowledge, ready for a teacher to fill. Though citicism of this concept was not new, for many did not agree with facts being the foundation of education, Freire approached the situation in a new way. By using the current education system and theories apparent at the time he updated the idea and helped pave the way for the concept of critical pedagogy which teaches students how to challenge beliefs and practices that dominate at the time.

Freires strong dislike of the student-teacher relatationship of his time presents another concept he is well known for. He believed it should be completely thrown out and done away with. His idea was that students and teachers should teach and learn from each other instead of strictly following by their traditional roles. However his idea to abolish the teaching and learning process was one that would be hard to rid of, for parents often taught their children as well. Even then though Freire simply wanted any teacher-student relationship to be equal, giving both individuals a chance to cooperate with each other. In a sense, Freire wanted there to be a sort of democracy in the classroom based on both students and teachers benefiting from each other.

Throughout his life Paulo Freire strived to give educational freedom to those oppressed. His main goal was to give those in need of education the ability to think critically and be conscious. In Brazil, where he was born, literacy was required for one if they wanted to vote. Freire recognized this and putting his theories into use was able to teach 300 illetrate workers to write and read in a mere 45 days. The military of Brazil put an end to his work however and sent him to jail and exile. Despite all of this Freire continued his work and contribution to society by writing many well known books including his most well known piece PEDAGOGY OF THE OPPRESSED. Overall Paulo Freire wanted the world of education to simply work and coexist respectfully, ontop of that he wanted to provide strong and useful education itself to all that needed it.


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Freire
http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-freir.htm