The Meaning of Education as a Part of Human Nature

This is “The Banking Concept of Education” essay in which the topic of the meaning of education is analysed. We all have experienced different kinds of education as we grow up, some people have the chance to choose their education, some are not. I believe whatever the form of the education is, we are able to benefit from it. Just like Freire, hooks and Malala said what we need to do is to improve the flexibility of our education that enables everyone can choose the kind of education that fits themselves the best and give the equal rights to everyone to have education, because the biggest power of us is from knowledge.

In the article of Paulo Freire “ The Banking Concept of Education”, he illustrates two methods of education-” the banking concept of education” and “the problem-posing method”. The banking concept is, “during the class period, teachers give all the knowledge and information to students directly and let students just memorize them without thinking”. He refers this kind of education system as banking-concept which professors are depositing information into students’ brains. Students can only accept knowledge without discussing, questioning or critical thinking. On the contrary, the problem-posing method is that all students get chances to communicate with each other. Freire believes that this can improve students' ability of critical thinking and enables students to talk to each other so that they can learn from communication and improve students’ humanity. For me, when I was in high school I got a chance to choose to get rid of the banking concept of education, so I quit the traditional high school and transfer to another school with a flexible education system. However, I do not agree that there is one teaching method that is suitable for all the students because the variety of our personality and learning habits. For example, I like the environment which is flexible and enables me to learn by myself for the most part, some of other students may prefer to learn directly from their teacher which they may think is a faster and more efficient way to learn. We cannot judge which way is better than the other because either way may benefit different people.

Just like Freire, bell hooks also has her opinion about education. In her book, she mentioned that “Education as the practice of freedom becomes not a force which fragments or separates, but one that brings us closer, expanding our definitions of home and community.”- bell hooks. I deeply believe her words, because when I first came to America for college I can barely understand the language so I felt powerless when I am in class or talk to others. Fortunately, I had a really nice roommate, he explained everything to me. It seems that he is not only my friend, but also my English teacher. After a few months I can understand most of the word he says and talk smoother that before. This gave me a lot power to deal with the new environment, make friends and be success in my classes. He also invited me to his home in Seattle for the Thanksgiving vacation. In that week, I have met all his families and got to know American culture which is totally different from mine. After all of that, I do not feel lonely anymore even though I came to America by myself. The education and living experience I get redefines the meaning of home and community to me, just like what bell hooks says. At the same time the American college teaching style which is non-banking concept benefits me a lot. Also, bell hooks says that she does not capitalize her name because she hopes that the readers can pay attention to the part which is really important. I agree with this, too. I believe that education should not be a simply transformation of information or knowledge, on the contrary, getting education should be a process of learning skills. Some kids may think what they currently learn is useless or will not benefit their lives in the future. However, I think even studying those kinds of classes is important, not only because the knowledge you get from it, but also because they offer you a chance to learn study skills or make sure you are able to study. Because study is a good habit and we are supposed to keep it throughout our lives.

As for Malala, she talks about education, too, especially women education. “We are human beings, and this is part of our human nature”- Malala Yousafzai. She talks about the current situation of women in Pakistan and illustrates why it is so important for women to get education because it is the power of women. I deeply agree with her opinion that women should have the rights to get educations because this is the basement of all. After having the rights of education then we can choose where and how could we study which is connected to hooks and Freire. I have watched a documentary that includes three girls from different education background and after 20 years their lives are tremendously different from each other. Another experience is that I have an aunt who is really successful in her work, however she always says that the biggest pity of her life is she did not get a chance to go to college because her family won't let her. Even now, she is still trying to get education from all kinds of resource that she can reach. There is always one sentence on her lip” knowledge is the most powerful thing of you and nobody should and could take it from you”. Just like what hooks says, education is the power of you and it can change you and your environment.

Education can give us the information of the world as well as change the world to a better place. It helps us to develop our values, human nature and our creativity. It is essential for everyone to have the same right to accept education just like what Malala says. However, in Freire’s view because we all have different personality and goals, there should be enough flexibility for us to choose the kind of education that fits ourselves the best. Finally as for hooks she thinks education has the power to bring us together and make each one of us do not feel lonely. To sum up, we should also wisely accept and use our education, because knowledge is part of our human nature and it is the biggest power of us.

Work Cited Page

• Freire, Paulo. “The Banking Concept of Education”. Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 30th Anniversary Edition, New York. Continuum, 2009 pp.72-86
• Hooks, bell. “keeping close to home: class and education “. 75 Thematic Readings: An Anthology, McGraw-Hill, 2009， pp.98-112.
• Yousafzai, Malala. “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”. 8. Oct. 2013. http://www.cc.com/video-clips/a335nz/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-malala-yousafzai