Education-themed TED talks from the perspective of critical pedagogy

Abstract

The purpose of the current study is to examine the discourses in the education-themed TED/TEDx presentations within the framework of critical pedagogy and neoliberal understanding. The study was designed as a case study in the qualitative research method. Data were collected by using the document analysis method and descriptive analysis was conducted on the collected data. Based on the findings, it was concluded that there were expressions in the talks that were both compatible and contradictory with the perspective of critical pedagogy. In the discourses of the speakers that overlap with the point of view of critical pedagogy, the following criticisms come to the fore: the dominant education systems suppress education, education is against the nature of the individual, it serves the purpose of training the type of person desired by neoliberal policies, there are inequalities in access to education, social justice and inclusiveness should be ensured, the student is passive in the current system and that the teacher is still a figure of authority in the classroom. On the other hand, it was observed that the speakers have expressions that can serve the purpose of training academic success-oriented and economically equipped personnel, encouraging entrepreneurship and having certificates and promoting global competition.

Keywords:

• Critical pedagogy
• TED talks
• neoliberalism

Notes

1 From the preface to the book Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Paulo Freire), 21st edition, by Richard Shaull.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

İlhan Polat

İlhan Polat is primary school teacher at the Ministry of National Education. His research focuses on reading and writing skills, primary literacy, multicultural education.

Abdulkadir Sağlam

Abdulkadir Sağlam is director of the science and arts center, His research focuses on gifted students, primary literacy.

Serkan Çelik

Serkan Çelik is professor at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey.