"Empowering Education"-Shor

"People are naturally curious. They are born leaders. Education can either develop or stifle their inclination to ask why and to learn."

Shor argues that the method of just teaching children facts and asking them to memorize things is not an effective method of educating. Instead children should be encouraged to think for themselves and to question everything. In this way, children will be able to reach their full potential.

"A curriculum that does not challenge the standard syllabus and conditions in society informs students that knowledge and the world are fixed and are fine the way they are, with no role for students to play in transforming them, and no need for change."

Students should be taught not to just take everything at face value and believe and accept everything the way it is presented to them. They should be taught to think outside of the box and to explore different options. In order to prepare these students to be our future leaders, they need to learn to form their own thoughts and ideas and to change the things in this world that they do not agree with.

"Participation provides students with active experiences in class, through which they develop knowledge that is reflective understanding, not mere memorization. Further, participation sends a hopeful message to students about their present and future; it encourages their achievement by encouraging their aspirations. They are treated as responsible, capable human beings who should expect to do a lot and do it well..."

Shor believes that students should be taught in an open form, participating in discussions as an effective teaching method. They should be taught to understand and reflect instead of just memorize and spit out information. This will lead to well-rounded and capable individuals, instead of robots.