The benefits of computer usage in a liberal education system class

The technology era we now live in provides students and teachers with a wider scope of available information that brings innumerable benefits when combined with a liberal approach to education.  From the use of computers in class, to the use of blogs as informal writing, to the concept of Internet based university classes- these can bring much more positive outcomes to every student and teacher, provided they are open to a manner of learning in which the student becomes the teacher while the teacher becomes the student too, otherwise known as Paulo Freire’s liberatory education. Using technology for academic purposes in and out of classrooms brings in more information and topics for discussion and analysis, if combined with a completely liberal education, as opposed to the common system of banking education.

Brazilian educator and theorist of critical pedagogy, Paulo Freire

An example of a college lecture class, or, an oppressive education system known as the banking system

In a classroom where a professor does not exert her/his total authority over students and does not oppress them with her/his teachings, the use of computers can bring much more intriguing topics for discussions as opposed to the common idea that it only brings distractions. Let’s think about it this way, in a liberatory education system class, students are even more encouraged to participate and contribute to the discussion since the topics explored are shaped throughout the exchange of views between students and teachers. Therefore, when one certain topic comes up that interests one particular student for example, it might trigger her/him to look for an article on the internet that contributes greatly to the discussion and might even prompt another topic to be discussed. Additionally, due to the ideology of a more liberal education system, a student is less inclined to procrastinate and become uninterested in the class, since a wide range of topics are discussed. Consequently, the use of computers thus allows students to activate a huge database of information that maintains them intrigued rather than uninterested in the class.

Class participation constitutes the main objective in the liberal education system

Outside the classroom, based on the wide range of topics and ideas encountered in class, students benefit even further by accomplishing their written assignments with a more liberal approach. As suggested by Cathy Davidson’s article “Collaborative Learning in a DigitalAge”, writing blogs rather than essays permits students to write with a less rigorous structure and less limitations. They are freer to express themselves by approaching a wider range of topics within the issues discussed in class, if the professor approaches the class with liberal methods. In a typical banking education systemized class, blogs would never be allowed exactly because every assignment has very strict limitations. The simple concept of blogging for other people to read creates an idea of competition, which acts as a motivational trigger for students to produce a better-written work that truly reflects their writing characteristics and more personal point of views. Now, as to the question of tweeting for classroom purposes as proposed by Eva Kassens-Noor in “Twitter as a teaching practice to enhance active…”, I believe it is much less effective for student academic freedom. Despite the fact twitter facilitates student-student-teacher communication, the same easy virtual interaction can be found utilizing the school’s/university’s based online networking system (for example: NYU classes, Edmodo, Blackboard etc). I am not arguing Twitter is entirely ineffective, but there are in fact other online mechanisms where students and teachers can interact with one another. But going back to the point about a liberal approach to education- since students and teachers share their knowledge, concerns, experiences and opinions all through class, these online resources allow them to continue their sharing outside of classroom. Additionally, writing online and giving their comments on peers’ ideas online is so effective for the shy or insecure students, especially, since they are not pressured to contribute in class and can thus share their ideas in a more comfortable way.

Online universities are more difficult mechanisms to apply to Freire’s liberatory education system. Because students do not interact personally with other students and the teacher, in a way it becomes harder for both groups to learn from one another. In class, the discussions and sharing of ideas occurs more naturally and some topics or issues that arise are better understood and more striking when listening to another person, due to their emotions and emphasis on certain ideas. But still, since some prospective university students have certain academic barriers, Internet based universities are extremely effective in providing them with an education, even if it is not as effective as going to an actual college. Still, when comparing Internet based university classes to the effects and benefits of blogs, they allow students to express themselves in a similarly virtual way. Although the banking education system might be prevalent in these online universities, the discussion forums keep students, teachers and their ideas interconnected and open for deliberation.

There is no doubt to me that the internet and the use of computers in and out of classroom keeps students intrigued and more aware of the topics discussed in a liberatory education system class. In a banking education systemized class, due to the fact that the teacher is worried about transferring his own knowledge and facts to students, the use of computers drive their attention away since it acts as a resource to escape the depositing of information that the professor focuses on. Computers and the internet can have negative effects upon people as we all know, such as driving attention away from work and study and being an overall great device to procrastinate. However, that happens exactly when either the class or the task are extremely boring or limited to a specific topic, structure and purpose. In a liberal class, computers enhance the quality of the conversation by allowing students to research articles about topics that might not entirely connect with the class discussion, but that will probably open students' (including the teacher) minds into reconsidering their views or simply thinking about one certain matter in a different way.