Social reform through education

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Paulo Freire - Theorist Post #2

Paulo Freire – Internet Website Links


Website #1

A Brief Biography of Paulo Freire

A brief biography about Paulo Freire is presented here.  It also provides information on his works, collaborations with other authors, and books and article about Freire.

Website #2

Paulo Freire Institute

The website is the center for information on Freire and the works that have evolved from his practices.  It also monitors how Freirean dimensions and ideals are affecting social contexts and settings around the world. 

Website #3

The Freire Project

The Freire Project website is used as a communication center for an international community working to promote social justice in varying cultural contexts.  The website hosts multiple blogs, forums, and groups that are directly related to Paulo Freire. 

Website #4

Pedagogy of the Oppressed

This website contains a reading from Chapter 2 of Freire’s book hosted by Webster University.  It talks specifically about his criticism of the “banking concept.”

Website #5

Paulo Freire and Informal Education

This is an informal website about Paulo Freire.  It provides information on his contributions, critiques, and further readings about Freire.

Website #6

Reviews of Paulo Freire’s Books

A complete list of Freire’s works and accompanying reviews of those books is presented here.  It also provides a list of works that he also contributed upon.

Website #7

Aurora Interview with Paulo Freire

A transcript of the interview completed in 1990 with Freire.  It also provides a list of works by Freire that can be ordered via the internet.

Website #8

Rage and Hope: Freire-Pedagogy of Hope

The website provides a brief discussion on the writing of the Pedagogy of Hope text.  It also provides implications for what it means to educators.

Website #9

Pedagogy of the Oppressor

The website presents an article hosted by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research which is heavily critical of Freire’s philosophy and it’s place in American Education.  It provides a substantial argument that his ideals are not as previously believed the appropriate standard to guide American education reform.

Website #10

Issues with Freirean Pedagogy

This website offers some basic information on Freirean philosophy and education.  It also offers a look at his concept of critical consciousness and institutionalization. 

Monday, January 17, 2011

Paulo Freire - Theorist Post #1

Paulo Freire
1921 – 1997


Background Information:

-          Born on September 19, 1921 in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

-          Died on May 2, 1997 in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

-          Suffered with poverty and hunger during the 1929 Great Depression.

-          In school, ended up four grades behind.

-          Stated that poverty and hunger affected his ability to learn, which influenced his
       life’s work on improving lives of the poor.

-          Enrolled in Law School at the University of Recife in 1943, where he also studied philosophy, specifically phenomenology, and the psychology of language.

-          Began working as a teacher in secondary schools, rather than practicing law.

-          Married Elza Maia Costa de Oliveira in 1944 and had five children.

Pedagogy Information:

Social Reform Theorist as it relates to Education.

Influenced by:
Karl Marx, Jean-Paul Sartre, Erich Fromm, Louis Althusser, Herbert Marcuse,
Ivan Illich, as well as others.

Theory Components:

-          Wrote Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1970).
           
1.  Distinguishes between the oppressor and the oppressed (unverified
     Vladimir Lenin reference).

                        2.  Education allows the oppressed to regain their humanity and
                             overcome their condition.

-          Education is a political act that could not be divorced from pedagogy.

-          Challenged tablua rasa and the “banking concepts” in education as methods of controlling thinking.

-          Strong aversions to the traditional teacher-student dichotomy.

-          Advocated the relationship in terms of a teacher who learns and a learner who
       teaches as the basic roles in the classroom.

Greg O'Quinn's Professional Post

Gregory O’Quinn

                                                                                   
Background Information:

B.A., Liberal Arts (2000)
Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA

Masters of Business Administration (2004)
Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA

M. Ed., Administration and Supervision (2007)
Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA

Occupation:

Assistant Principal of Administration
J.S. Clark MicroSociety Academy
Shreveport, LA

Research Interests:

Single-gender education effects at different levels (elementary, middle, etc.)
Looping effects in scheduling
Vocational education alternatives
Educational alternatives at the middle school level

Working Photos:

Photo 1:  Working with our administrative intern on scheduling concerns for the
upcoming semester exchange.


Photo 2:  Working the P.B.I.S. fundraising event.


Photo 3:  Reviewing a performance evaluation with an employee.


Vodcast Introduction: