Important Scholars of Education: The Work of Paulo Freire and William W. Brickman

This article discusses the contributions of the amazing scholars Paul Freire and William W. B. Brickman and how their theories on education impacted their philosophies on improving education in their time. Friere believed the, “Banking” concept of education was the best theory to improve education in the poverty and oppressed areas(Flanagan, 2005) versus Brickman argued that the “comparative” approach on education gives students more versatility of educational learning(Silova and Brehm, 2010).

These scholars developed these ideologies from their own personal background and obstacles they endured in their own economic environment and communities. Even though, Friere and Brickman theories on education were different, they both had a passion for the love and knowledge of education and took the time to research different educational strategies to make learning more effective and liberating to all students. Important Scholars of Education: The Work of Paulo Freire and William W. Brickman. Throughout the years, many scholars, politicians, scientist, and psychologist have performed many studies and have researched how to improve education. Education is a tool that we need to survive in this world (Oak, 2011). Education is a tool that helps promote wholeness and integration in the individual by focusing on the child’s personal growth and development to develop creative, confident and competent members of society who are able to contribute effectively to the life of their community (Oak, 2011). The question is can economic and social factors play an intricate part to the education success of young lives.

Paulo Freire and William W. Brickman were extraordinary scholars whose social and economic status affected how they viewed education. What they encountered led them to research and explores different ideologies of improving education for all people. Paul Freire and William W. Brickman Contributions Paulo Freire was an extraordinary Brazilian educator whose revolutionary pedagogical theory influenced educational and social movements throughout the world and his personal philosophy influenced academic disciplines that include theology, sociology, anthropology, applied linguistics, pedagogy, and cultural studies (Flanagan, 2005).

Freire believed that teachers played an intricate role to the welfare of the students’ education that students were considered banks and the teachers are constantly making deposits in the brains. Paulo Freire called this the “Banking Education “and Freire felt that banking education model was designed to improve critical thinking about situations (Flanagan, 2005). Educators role of teaching were to expand the minds of students by teaching them how to problem solve and this strategy would help students understand the world /society is not fixed and it potentially opening to transformation (Flanagan, 2005).

William W. Brickman was amazing scholar whose focus on education was for the development in its history and international expansion. William Brickman goal was to strive to understand and not undermine others in expanding educational development. Brickman strove to expand educational concepts through extensive traveling to understand first hand social and linguistics issues (Silova and Brehm, 2010). He encouraged extensive international cooperation and working with specialist of a multitude of disciplines to expand on educational history so as to better provide the tools necessary for the teacher to engage in study.

Through this, Brickman was known for his “study tours” which added extensive knowledge to the comparative field (Silova and Brehm, 2010). Challenges. The challenges of Paulo Freire were that his educational theory was based on a political oppressed people. The problem with this educational method is that it would not be applicable consistently in comparison to more developed countries. His oppressed and oppressor political view in terms to education would not carry the same weight in more democratic societies where education is not as politically dominated (Flanagan, 2005). However, the challenge of William W.

Bickman entails he felt that the new found theories of science and statistics was starting to jeopardize his philosophy of comparative education (Silova and Brehm, 2010). His main concerned that these current scholars would focus on more practical educational theories versus his ideology of methodological development on comparative education. Similarities. To become great educators, one must possess the love and passion for education and finding different strategies to improve the education for students. Friere and Brickman both shared the common passion and love for improving education in their time.

Their passion to improve education came from world events that change how they viewed the elements of education. Freire and his family encountered a financial crisis and Brickman developed comparative education after World War II. Their love of knowledge and education freedom made them pioneers of their time to embark on education success for all learners. Differences. As educators we all have different ideologies/methodologies of how we believe educated students show be illustrated. Freire‘s educational strategies/theories were based from the oppressed/poor (Flanagan, 2005).

He devoted his life to develop effective strategies to better educate the oppressed/poor and make them more competitive in society. Brickman’s philosophy on education portrays a more international way of learning. He believed more of hands on learning approach, meaning students will become more successful learners from traveling the world, sharing/exchanging ideas and learning through comparative education (Silova and Brehm, 2010). Impact on Success Society and world issues play and important part how we view religion, politics, education, etc.

We as people can endure obstacles in our lives that can change our perception on how we interpret/perceive set ideas/knowledge that is bestowed upon us. We do live in a democracy which allows us to have our own ideas and act upon those ideas. Freire’s upbringing was in a middle class environment until, his family experienced “The Great Depression”, leaving him in a world of unbelievable struggles and poverty (Flanagan, 2005). He experienced education from a poverty outlook and was dismayed by the education of poverty kids. Paulo Freire devoted his life of improving the education of the oppressed people and encouraging freedom of justice.