Rating: 
Summary: Accessible Pedagogy
Review: Dr. Wink is not your typical academic writer. Critical Pedagody is an educational and entertaining read: for the teacher, adminstrator, researcher, and those interested in a broader world. Through her teaching and learning journey, we learn about powerful issues, terms, and philosophies. Her years of teaching and learning allow her to highlight her beliefs with often moving vingettes relating their presence or application in the "real world." These short stories make this book readable and enriching - an academic page turner.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Pedogogy -- Made Accessible
Review: For many years I have felt frustrated with the injustice and bias in the educational system. Reading this book helped me see that I can be an agent of change and that it is possible to help young people find a sense of agency as well. Based on the theories and practices of Paulo Freire and other educators, Wink shows readers that teaching and learning are political acts, and she inspires readers to change and be changed by the process.Wink combines great storytelling and clear examples to make the theories of critical pedagogy come alive. With chapters like "What in the World is It," and "How in the World Do You Do It" this book makes critical pedagogy understandable and accessible. A must read for all progressive educators.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Pedogogy -- Made Accessible
Review: For many years I have felt frustrated with the injustice and bias in the educational system. Reading this book helped me see that I can be an agent of change and that it is possible to help young people find a sense of agency as well. Based on the theories and practices of Paulo Freire and other educators, Wink shows readers that teaching and learning are political acts, and she inspires readers to change and be changed by the process. Wink combines great storytelling and clear examples to make the theories of critical pedagogy come alive. With chapters like "What in the World is It," and "How in the World Do You Do It" this book makes critical pedagogy understandable and accessible. A must read for all progressive educators.
Rating: 
Summary: An unfortunate waste of time
Review: In an area of inquiry that desperately needs intelligent analysis, Wink engages in pedantic name-dropping and useless banter. Her research is questionable and her methodology is so powder-puff that it is nigh upon impossible to believe that her students take her any more seriously than we can as readers. This is abundantly obvious to me after five years of teaching. I was profoundly disappointed with this weak effort.
Rating:
Summary: Theory to Meaningful Practice
Review: In terms of scholarly research and analysis, Joan Wink's Critical Pedagogy: Notes from the REAL WORLD has been insightful and interesting. Why? Because Wink's account isn't pure scientific theory, it's a book that tells us something about ourselves. It tells us where we come from, what we've been through, and where we're going. More importantly, it tells us something about the people we are and the people we want to become. While I was reading this book, it struck me that the term `marginalize' is very real and evident in the world around us. To marginalize "is to place someone or something on the fringes, on the margins of power" Wink states. I am reminded of this on a daily basis as decisions are made impacting our lives, and children's lives. Joan Wink has taken many theoretical aspects of critical pedagogy and written about them in comprehensible language. As one reads through the vignettes, it will be sure to trigger ideas in every individual's experience. Wink's book demonstrates the reality that very complex intricate theoretical ideas which academic language often excludes understandable meaning as one trudges through definitions can indeed be fascinating. However, I do want to add a word of caution about this book. It's obvious that Wink idolizes the idea of education and giving equal access to all students, (and so do I), and is courageous enough to point out how hegemonic principles are manifested. Once you read it, you will be faced with examining your own prejudices and stereotypes. Beware, as it takes courage to name and change Not all folks are up to the challenge! I highly recommend this book. Wink keeps your attention from start to end, and I am looking forward to her next book. Great work!
Rating:
Summary: Theory to Meaningful Practice
Review: In terms of scholarly research and analysis, Joan Wink's Critical Pedagogy: Notes from the REAL WORLD has been insightful and interesting. Why? Because Wink's account isn't pure scientific theory, it's a book that tells us something about ourselves. It tells us where we come from, what we've been through, and where we're going. More importantly, it tells us something about the people we are and the people we want to become. While I was reading this book, it struck me that the term 'marginalize' is very real and evident in the world around us. To marginalize "is to place someone or something on the fringes, on the margins of power" Wink states. I am reminded of this on a daily basis as decisions are made impacting our lives, and children's lives. Joan Wink has taken many theoretical aspects of critical pedagogy and written about them in comprehensible language. As one reads through the vignettes, it will be sure to trigger ideas in every individual's experience. Wink's book demonstrates the reality that very complex intricate theoretical ideas which academic language often excludes understandable meaning as one trudges through definitions can indeed be fascinating. However, I do want to add a word of caution about this book. It's obvious that Wink idolizes the idea of education and giving equal access to all students, (and so do I), and is courageous enough to point out how hegemonic principles are manifested. Once you read it, you will be faced with examining your own prejudices and stereotypes. Beware, as it takes courage to name and change Not all folks are up to the challenge! I highly recommend this book. Wink keeps your attention from start to end, and I am looking forward to her next book. Great work!
Rating: 
Summary: Teaching Thinking
Review: It isn't often that a book inspires one to think for themselves. This book promotes critical thinking of teaching and learning from a unique perspective, that of the reader. It does not force upon or act to introduce you to a new philosophy of teaching, but asks you to revel in your own imagination and creativity for the answers to educational queries. Fantastic reading for those seeking guidance in their own thinking and not necessarily the answers.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Book--
Review: OK. I've read Freier. Giroux. McLaren. Vygotsky. Wink isn't a theory-hound like the above, but she puts their ideas into a most readable form. She illustrates important critical pedagogy concepts with real-world examples. If I was teaching multiculturalism/critical pedagogy to a class of students, I would make this book required reading.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for every teacher AND parent!!!
Review: The best book I've read this year! Dr. Wink has delivered a remarkable book. She takes the often abstract and academic-ese of critical pedagogy and theory and makes the ideas understandable and, even more importantly, applicable to real-life. This book is a timely treasure. I couldn't put it down. Teachers who want to know how to create classes of dynamic thought, learning, and growing, this book will provide concrete ideas and strategies. Parents interested in learning how to create the best possible learning situations for your child will love this book. I was impressed with Dr. Wink's research and her ability to make such tough ideas so readable through the use of vignettes and examples. In today's politcal climate surrounding education, this book is a powerful tool in understanding not only the historical context, but the underlying politics surrounding the rhetoric. Thanks, Dr. Wink!
Rating:
Summary: Joan Wink--Critical Pedagogy
Review: This is a great book on critical pedagogy for anyone first starting to think/learn about critical pedagogy. The language is easy, conversational almost. (I must admit I started out with Pedagogy of the Oppressed and anything would be easier than that!!) She gives lots of examples and anecdotes which I like, because I can relate to them, understand the concepts better. She gives lots of advice on who else to read in the field. At the end of the book, she gives some concrete methods of how to do critical pedagogy, which I really like. So many times, authors just talk about theory and never give you any concrete practical ideas. She does both!! She is a true critical pedagogue!! I loved this book and couldn't hardly put it down!!
|
