Issues of class and education were discussed with enthusiasm during a recent presentation by Professor Sheilagh Knight, entitled “Eliminating Class from the Classroom: Some Lessons from Paulo Freire.”

Prof. Knight, of the department of Modern Languages & Literatures, led the engaging discussion which examined a concise synopsis of Freire's contributions to pedagogy and the relevance these ideas might have in today's classroom. The presentation was part of the Instructional Development Centre’s (IDC) seminar series. Attended by Trent faculty and staff, the seminar encouraged great discussion amongst all participants.

Prof. Knight began her presentation with a brief biography of Brazilian historian, philosopher, professor and sociologist Paulo Freire, who is also arguably the world's best known pedagogue. She used Freire as an example of an educator who empowered students by breaking down boundaries (social, economical, cultural and ideological), bringing personal and relatable experience into the classroom, and taking time to understand all aspects of a student’s life, including the way they talk and work, their choice of leisure and sport activities and their family life, in order to better choose educational stimulus themes.

Freire’s “conscientization” literacy was a key focus of Prof. Knight’s presentation. This concept involves the development of critical consciousness through the process of reflection and action; empowering students by creating a familiar social and cultural framework for education and the educational setting. She focused on key concepts in two of Freire’s works, Pedagogy of the Oppressed and Professora Sim Tia Não (translated into English as Teachers as Cultural Workers), to explain Freire’s educational philosophy. Freire believed the teacher should take on the role of one who learns as well as teaches; that a successful teacher possess the humility and tolerance to relearn that which he already knows through interaction with the learner.

Prof. Knight outlined Freire’s steps to promote “conscientization” literacy, which include performing a vocabulary survey to identify a student’s language and literacy level, the presentation and discussion of key words to determine student’s perception of the word, and the syllabic composition of the word and subsequent composition of new words. Identifying a student’s language level and then making efforts to use language, experience and examples the student identifies with are steps educators can take towards eliminating class in the classroom. Creating an environment where the student feels safe, understood and included is one of the best ways to diminish class distinctions between teacher and student.

For more information about the IDC and the “Teaching Effectiveness Program” visit the IDC website.