Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Chapter 2 of the "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" was probably one of the most interesting texts I've read this quarter. It illustrated a whole new perspective about the way we educate our children now as opposed to what we will be expecting of them in the real world. Paulo Freire introduces a term called the "banking concept of education" wherein the teacher deposits their vast knowledge into the empty student's brain. With this method, we simply teach kids to comply, memorize, etc., while at the same time dehumanizing them. He called these students automatons. The major problem with this banking method, however, is that it "mythicizes" reality making it seems static and constant when in actuality, reality is progressing and transforming. With this banking method, our students will enter the world believing that only authority can present the correct answers to societies ailments. Yet, we expect the next generation to change the world and solve societies ailments.
Freire introduces the problem-posing method which is a lot more reasonable. Problem-posing values demythologizing, dialogue, critical thinking, creativity, reflection, inquiry, transformation, and humanizing students. Banking doesn't necessarily value the exact opposite of these but rather stifles them. Problem-posing will put students into the world who are capable of questioning authority, critically thinking about the world's problems, and creatively inventing solutions.This is far more important than filling their brains with a bunch of facts that they don't know what to do with.
In my history classroom, I want to move away from lecturing. I really want my students to delve into deep, thorough research and discussion/debates with their classmates. In this way, my students can learn that history can be told and interpreted in many different ways and they can learn to discuss, listen to their classmate's opinions, and think critically on the evidence they've researched to support their arguments. Skills like these are more important than having a bunch of history facts in store for your next trivia game.