Loving This: Critical Pedagogy in an Urban High School English Classroom

              The Authors Jeff Andrade and Ernest Morrel, have really established a clear idea for revamping student learning by incorporating critical pedagogy into their curriculum. This type of learning is focused on : "Dialogue instead of a one way transmission of knowledge". This type of school reform should be established in all classrooms for effective learning.

               If students are not motivated to learn, then effectiveness for student achievement will plummet. These authors have established a focus of critical pedagogy combined with the use empirical data: a new found way of applying learning into urban education for the new century schools. These practices encourage literacy development and academic achievement  for students by approaching education from all aspects of society.

               The authors are ambitious and dedicated to innovating curriculum that promotes student advancement, but also reflects on individual experience for deeper learning. The point of this was to not just serve as " gatekeepers to post-secondary education", but to provide students with tools that will allow them to continue to adapt and grow throughout their lives. This type of commitment for student learning goes beyond the classroom.

               This kind of student learning is mainly focused on aiding critical literacy for student improvement, but with more emphasis on the demand of literacy knowledge. As the author writes
"The language of power" allows students to be able to critique text with a whole new level of compression. This process begins by studying the importance of dominant texts. These dominant text are specifically chosen for the " development and maintenance of a revolutionary consciousness". Meaning that through clear focus and purpose of text, students can reach maximum literacy understanding for lifelong learning.

              As teachers we must focus on tools that will transport into a variety of student needs, specifically within their lifelong educational career, but also education that can transfer into their social and economic awareness. By educating our students they can become authentic voices for inequality and justice, which can promote change for improving their educational experience.

            I believe through these philosophers mentioned, some being Dr. Friere and Dr. Vygotsky who encouraged certain concepts and ideas within their model, they were able to incorporate well researched approaches to student learning while adapting it to student's personal experiences, creating a new level of student commitment. I believe that anytime the teacher is student minded the learning is genuine and purposeful. We should never settle for a one way street to learning, but always be searching for new ways to reach students by taking chances; this mindset can open doors we never new possible.