The Ideal Education Part 2: The Problem-posing Method

I know I discussed this subject before, but I have more to say...

In ancient societies like Egypt and Mesopotamia, education functioned as a privilege for the elite and was intended to train the next generation of scribes and priests. Hence, the ability of elite students to learn religious practices and memorize texts measured the success of this education system. Over time, the education system transformed along with the concept of a “good” education due to the emergence of new cultures and ideologies.

In modern society, the characteristics of a successful education vary among individuals, but a “good” education changes or adds a new interpretation to a person’s initial perspective of a subject. More specifically, people have their perceptions of the world, whether they may be scientific beliefs, religious views, or even ethical values. However, a successfully educated person uses their knowledge to question their initial beliefs and perceive the world differently from their prior perspective.

This is achieved through the problem-posing method. In “The ‘Banking’ Concept of Education,” Paulo Freire suggests that problem-posing education prompts consideration of different perspectives and makes an individual more knowledgeable through the understanding of different viewpoints on a subject, noting that “they come to see the world not as a static reality, but as a reality in process, in transformation.” Freire also describes the way this education system functions: “The teacher is no longer merely the one who teaches but one who is himself taught in dialogue with the students, who in turn while being taught also teach."

Problem-posing education focuses on students having greater freedom to learn and creates a relationship where the teacher and students are interchangeable roles. This relationship allows individuals to consider a subject from various points of view, which allows the learners to weigh different interpretations of a subject before forming their beliefs. Thus, this method of education emphasizes exposure to various perspectives, which will result in learners becoming more creative and reflective of the world around them.

Essentially, a “good education” exposes students to different perspectives on a subject, and this education can be achieved through the problem-posing approach, which results in learners becoming more knowledgeable about reality.

When I was learning to play the tabla, a classical Indian instrument, my teacher utilized problem-posing education and gave his students the freedom to compose their own music. Most teachers of classical instruments tend to focus on teaching more traditional pieces of music; however, my teacher allowed us to create our own songs or try to play our favorite pop music on the classical instrument.

Because of his teaching method, my teacher understood modern music culture more, and the students including myself practiced their skills while using their creativity to develop music or write modern music in tabla notation. Thus, this method of teaching describes a “good” education as the students became more interested in their education and used their creativity to apply their skills.

The teacher did not simply focus on the traditional role of the instrument but allowed his students to explore the instrument and apply their skills to more modern music culture, which represents a successful education through the problem-posing method. We, students, were exposed to different viewpoints and ways to utilize this classical instrument.

That's how proper education should be-- one where the teacher encourages exploration without simply setting a set of rules for the students to follow.