Before reading “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” by Paulo Freire, I had never heard of the “banking” method of education. In this system of education, teachers make “deposits” of facts into the students. Dialogue is not encouraged and neither is critical thinking. Instead, the student must accept what he is learning without questioning it.
On the contrary, “problem-posing” education encourages critical thinking and discussion. Teachers are not only teachers, but also students. In the same way, students are not only students, but also teachers. This method to education focuses on change. Through the process of talking with others, we can learn a lot, and our own views can change considerably.
Looking back, I can see where I have experienced both the banking and problem-posing methods of education. Probably all of the teachers that I had made mistakes on the chalkboard at one point or another. There were some teachers that I knew better than to correct, for I knew they would get angry. (They would not show their anger, but I sensed uncomfortableness beneath the surface.) Other teachers, however, offered candy for those who spotted their mistakes. They were willing to be corrected and taught.
Too many times, people think, “Oh, if I can just get through high school (or college), then I will be done with my education.” The problem-posing education advocates that education never stops. Think about it. There will always be problems to solve, and we can learn from the ways that we choose to solve them. Was our solution successful? How could it have been more successful?
Lately, I’ve been trying to think of not only my education, but also the rest of life as a growing and learning experience. I have been blessed my maintaining this mindset.
1. Is there a middle ground between banking and problem-posing?
2. Is it in your power to change a teacher’s mindset about education?
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