It's Friere Day, Yeah!

So, once again, I found twice as much benefit in discussion yesterday as I did reading the essays and chapters by myself. Friere is infinitely more relatable than some of the other topics we've covered, but I'm learning that I simply "get" more out of talking about something. I've always been a very verbal learner, but before taking this class, I could usually get a good grasp of the things I've read. I also kind of (read: arrogantly) felt that because my undergrad degree was in English EDUCATION that I would somehow magically understand all the pedagogical stuffs. Tis not the case, though I am learning, bit by bit.

Now my reactions to the readings themselves: I had heard, vaguely, of the banking method before this week, but had never really read much about it. After three years teaching high school, in a place that virtually required the banking method, my knee jerk reaction was to hate it on principle. It seemed, and still somewhat seems to me, common sense that students need dialogue and to be questioned and challenged. And it seems equally common sense to me that there needs to be mutual respect and a general love for humanity in order to create an environment (in the classroom or out) where good dialogue can be generated.

And while I do believe all of the above, I truly think that the banking method is not only useful, but necessary in almost every classroom. Depending on the class, the extent of which the banking method would be useful fluctuates. Even within the English and Composition classrooms, students need basic vocabulary and knowledge of formats. And while these could be taught in a 'discovery' or dialogue method, it would be a waste of time.