"To speak a true word is to transform the world"
Paulo Feire 1921-1997
Paulo Feire 1921-1997
Paulo Freire is among the most influential educational thinkers of the later 20th century. He was born in Mejacon Brazil in 1921. He experienced first hand on poverty and hunger during the Great Depression in 1929. These tragic experiences led him to focus on educational awareness. He studied Philosophy at the Faculty of Law at Recife University. Mainly focusing on Phenomenology; the study of consciousness. Teaching Portuguese at secondary schools he met his first wife. He was appointed Director of the Department of Education and Culture of the Social Service in brazil. He was also appointed director of the Department of Cultural Extension of Recife University (Brazil). He was best known for his theories on education and the relationships between teachers and students.
He believed strongly in informal teaching in a dialogue rather than a curriculum approach. Instead of one person teaching a whole class, the class works together to create ideas and learn from one another. "Too much education, involves 'banking' - the educator making 'deposits' in the educatee". The banking theory was having the student be the empty bank account and the teacher fill the bank with money; knowledge. He also believed in Praix , this involves a practice and theory approach to teaching. Having the students exposed to theories disciplines the truth behind the matter. Practice is the act of doing something.
Paulo Freire wrote many great books from educational stand points to cultural awareness.His first book was Education as the Practice of Freedom. This is about his beliefs of education as the practice of freedom. His most famous book was Pedagogy of the Oppressed, published in Portuguese in 1968. This book examines the struggles for justice and equity within the educational system and proposes a new pedagogy.
