EDUC 6810 Weekly Reading #5

What does it mean to "interrogate texts"?
Interrogating the text means to question it.  Who is it about?  What is it about?  Is it reliable information?  Should I believe what its says, or should I do my own research?

How would you respond to the question "should we just question everything then?"
I would respond "yes."  Asking questions and analyzing what we are being told/shown is a part of our students developing a deeper learning.  Some of the best discussions come from students questioning what they are being told.

What are "traditional banking systems of education"?
Traditional banking systems of education rely on students being consumers, instead of designers, of texts.  Students are not given access to technology, instead, everything is print based.  This is due to a fear that students cannot be protected from content on the Internet.

What does it mean to reformulate the learning process as a participatory one?
A participatory culture is one where students use media and tools to become more powerful in the digital world.  A participatory culture also can change the roles of teachers and students.  Traditionally, teachers are the experts, and are the ones guiding the students.  When it comes to technology, a lot of the time our students know more than us.  Participatory culture gives students the opportunity to be the expert, and to share their knowledge of technology.

Who was Paulo Freire?
Paulo Freire was a Brazilian educator and philosopher who was a leading advocate of critical pedagogy.

What is critical pedagogy?
Critical pedagogy is a teaching approach that attempts to help students question and challenge domination, and the beliefs and practices that dominate.

What concerns do you have about the goals of Critical Pedagogy?
My concern would be the adjustment students would have to make.  They are used to the traditional teacher/student roles, where the teacher is doing the questioning and the students are learners.  In this role, students would be the ones doing the questioning and using their voices.

What questions do you have about Critical Pedagogy?
My question is, "How do you help students transition from the traditional role to one of a critical pedagogy?"

Sources
Avila, JuliAnna and Pandya, Jessica Zacher.  "Critical Digital Literacies as Social Praxis."  (2013).  Peter Lang Publishing, Inc.  New York, NY.

Freire Project TV.  Seeing Through Paulo's Glasses: Political Clarity, Courage and Humility.  Retrieved from http://www.freireproject.org/freire-project-tv/