Maria Célia da Silva GONÇALVES; Edney Gomes RAMINHO and Alessandra Cristina FURTADO
Rev. Educação e Fronteiras, Dourados, v. 12, n. esp. 1, e023014, 2022. e-ISSN:2237-258X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30612/eduf.v12in.esp.1.17109 7
information through the internet, which can be beneficial. Educators can
assign research on a particular subject and, the next day, have a roundtable
discussion. This allows for exchanging information that can become
knowledge (STUDENT 30, our translation).
Certainly, this student has a different perspective on using technology in the teaching
and learning process. As emphasized by sociologist Pedro Demo:
I consider digital technologies as a "support" for learning. First, the focus is
on learning as the ultimate goal (pedagogy) and digital technologies as the
means. This does not diminish the importance of technologies because it is
their inherent characteristic: the technological issue delineates means, modes,
methods, and instrumentation in service of an end. Technologies can either
enhance or hinder learning, as is the case with all forms of instrumentation,
including lectures, teaching methods, exams, curricula, etc. Second, although
digital technologies heavily influence the organization of society and life
itself, they do not reinvent the wheel in the field of learning (DEMO, 2020, p.
12, our translation).
The author emphasizes the importance of technology but does not attribute to them the
role of a solution to all educational problems. On the contrary, he warns that they can be used
merely for repetitive mechanical memorization and instructional teaching.
For education to be meaningful, other forms of knowledge are necessary besides
technology. Certainly, cultivating affection in the pedagogical practice of a teacher is a crucial
element for effective learning (FREIRE, 1997), as aptly described by the student:
For meaningful learning to occur, winning over the students' affection is
necessary because imposition will lead nowhere; this is a dead-end path.
Proposing questioning situations where they become active participants and
can seek answers motivates them. Problem-posing situations that seek their
reality must be considered because they will only feel motivated enough to
realize the learning (STUDENT 02, our translation).
The academic's statement refers to the notion of affectivity expressed by Paulo Freire
(1997, 2009) in his works "Pedagogy of Autonomy" and "Teacher, but aunt not: letters to those
who dare teach." In these works, the author emphasizes the importance of the teacher's actions
in fostering student autonomy and shaping the dynamics of the educator.
Although not directly addressing the theme of affection, Academic 2 highlights the
transformative effects of pedagogical praxis on the student. The teacher must be aware that
certain "virtues such as love, respect for others, tolerance, humility, enjoyment of joy, of life,
openness to the new, readiness for change [...] identification with hope, openness to justice" are
crucial (FREIRE, 2009, p. 120, our translations). The absence of these factors hinders a
progressive pedagogical practice, as it cannot be solely based on science and technique.