PAULO FREIRE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF CRITICAL CONSTRUCTIVISM

The necessity of the ideas of constructivism is increasing under conditions of our state development as well as the improvement of Ukrainian system of education. In this context the distinction of a critical constructivism as a separate type is related with the development of the philosophy of education, mainly its notions and functions. Moreover, new pedagogical terms appear in the society as the result of the continuous reorganization of the scientific sphere. The purpose of this article is to introduce the notion of critical constructivism in Ukrainian pedagogical science as well as the description of Freire's views according to this direction. The terms “constructivism”, “social constructivism”, “cognitive constructivism” and “critical constructivism” are explained. On the basis of the analysis of the meaning and types of constructivism it is obvious to distinguish such type as the critical constructivism which is related to social-constructivism. Ukrainian professor T. Koshmanova and American researcher M. L. Bentley and others do not highlight the critical constructivism separately, but Indian doctor of philosophy K. Sridevi, Australian researcher P. Taylor, Canadian professor Joe K. Kincheloe and others provide the detailed report of this type of constructivism. Nevertheless, Piaget and Vygotskyy played the most significant role in the involvement of Freire in the constructivist theory. To add more, critical constructivists repeated Freire's views of “banking” concept of education, mainly that knowledge is not a thing to be invested in the bank. Nobody can benefit from such knowledge as a deposit. Thus, critical constructivism is becoming relevant in modern pedagogical thought. That is why, it is important to introduce this notion in Ukrainian pedagogy. It is outlined that critical constructivism, on the one hand, has features of social-constructivism, but, on the other hand, new aspects are added which increase its criticality. Meanwhile, it is stated that Paulo Freire represents critical constructivism as its definition originates from the critical theory. Taking into consideration the fact that Freire is the founder of critical pedagogy, it is logical to outline critical constructivism as he highlights its ideas in his works.