Resources

Much debate exists regarding the purpose of education. This article explores the idea that religious education can be used to inspire change and action in the lives of students beyond the classroom. We describe a study of students who took a required religion class at a private religious university. The intended outcomes of the class centered on encouraging students to make the following changes in their lives: to develop a habit of regular scripture study, to use new methods to study the scriptures, and to make positive choices in their lives. Specific assignments were designed to encourage these outcomes. At the end of the semester, students were surveyed as to whether they had made changes in their lives in these three areas. The vast majority of students reported that they had made changes in their lives because of assignments given in the class. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Colorful infographic on the flipped classroom from Knewton.com. Explains: What is the flipped classroom; How it came to be; What’s driving it; and What it looks like.

Distinguishes critical thinking and critical pedagogy in educational research. Traces critical pedagogy from the work of Paulo Freire and Henry Giroux. Offers an alternative that focuses on the practice of criticality. Originally published in Critical Theories in Education, Thomas S. Popkewitz and Lynn Fendler, eds. (New York: Routledge, 1999).

Op-ed in Truthout. Offers a critique of market-driven educational reforms and argues for the continuing importance of putting critical pedagogy into practice.

2011 article from the International Journal of Critical Pedagogy. Presents results of qualitative research study of 17 self-identified critical pedagogues who attempt to employ critical pedagogy in the post-secondary classroom.

Blog post from Daily Struggles. Provides highlights of Paulo Freire’s work Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Discusses four levels of consciousness; the critique of educational banking; dialogics and conscientization; dialogics and antidialogics; the role of revolution; and utopia.

This essay is a revised version of the "Introduction" to Critical Literacy in Action, edited by Ira Shor and Caroline Pari (1999). Discusses and defines critical literacy and links to critical pedagogy.

Blog post from In the Library with the Lead Pipe. Highlights similarities and differences between information literacy and critical thinking, especially as they relate to library instruction.

PDF provides key elements regarding critical literacy. Provides definitions; reasons to teach critical literacy; and ways to teach critical literacy. Includes bibliography of suggested resources.

Chronicle of Higher Education article. Discusses critical thinking and the necessity of pushing past skepticism to consider the importance of values.