Question 1

What is Teaching as a Subversive Activity about?

Accepted Answer

Teaching as a Subversive Activity is a 1969 educational manifesto by Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner that advocates for radical school reform. The book argues that education should teach students how to think critically and learn independently, rather than memorizing content. Postman and Weingartner propose eliminating textbooks, grades, tests, and traditional subjects in favor of inquiry-based learning where teachers ask questions instead of providing answers.

Question 2

Who wrote Teaching as a Subversive Activity?

Accepted Answer

Teaching as a Subversive Activity was written by Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner, both education professors at Queens College in New York. Neil Postman later became chairman of the department of culture and communication at New York University and authored numerous influential books on education, media, and technology. Charles Weingartner served as a professor of English and Education at SUNY New Paltz and the University of South Florida.

Question 3

Who should read Teaching as a Subversive Activity?

Accepted Answer

Teaching as a Subversive Activity is essential reading for educators, administrators, and education reformers seeking alternatives to traditional teaching methods. The book appeals to anyone questioning conventional schooling practices and interested in student-centered, inquiry-based learning. Parents, curriculum designers, and educational policymakers will find valuable insights about fostering critical thinking skills in students. Those exploring progressive education philosophies will discover thought-provoking ideas about transforming classroom dynamics.

Question 4

Is Teaching as a Subversive Activity worth reading today?

Accepted Answer

Teaching as a Subversive Activity remains remarkably relevant despite being published over 55 years ago. While some language feels dated, Postman and Weingartner's central argument—that schools should teach students how to learn and think critically rather than memorize content—is more applicable than ever in today's rapidly changing world. The book offers practical strategies for inquiry-based education that complement modern learning theories. However, readers should approach some radical proposals with contextual understanding of the 1960s era.

Question 5

What is the main idea of Teaching as a Subversive Activity by Neil Postman?

Accepted Answer

The main idea of Teaching as a Subversive Activity is that education must shift from content transmission to teaching students "how to learn". Postman and Weingartner argue that rapid societal change means what made sense to previous generations may not apply to current students. The book advocates replacing traditional teacher-centered instruction with inquiry-based learning where students tackle real problems and develop critical thinking skills. The ultimate goal is creating flexible, creative individuals capable of facing uncertainty and formulating new meanings.

Question 6

What is "crap detecting" in Teaching as a Subversive Activity?

Accepted Answer

"Crap detecting" is Postman and Weingartner's term for critical thinking and the ability to identify false or misleading information. Teaching as a Subversive Activity argues that the primary purpose of education should be giving students a fully operational "crap detector" to question authority and analyze claims skeptically. This concept emphasizes developing students' abilities to distinguish truth from propaganda, question popular ideas, and think independently. The authors believe this skill is essential for navigating a world filled with misinformation and rapid change.

Question 7

What radical proposals do Postman and Weingartner make in Teaching as a Subversive Activity?

Accepted Answer

Teaching as a Subversive Activity proposes 15 provocative recommendations including:
*   declaring a five-year moratorium on all textbooks and tests
*   having teachers teach subjects outside their expertise
*   dissolving all traditional subjects and course requirements
*   limiting teachers to three declarative sentences per class

Other proposals include requiring teachers to undergo psychotherapy, making every class elective, withholding teacher paychecks if students lose interest, and reproducing bathroom graffiti in school halls. While some suggestions seem antagonistic, they challenge educators to fundamentally rethink traditional schooling structures.

Question 8

What is the inquiry method in Teaching as a Subversive Activity?

Accepted Answer

The inquiry method in Teaching as a Subversive Activity emphasizes presenting students with real, open-ended problems rather than predetermined solutions. Teachers should ask questions they don't already know the answers to, encouraging genuine exploration instead of rote responses. Postman and Weingartner advocate for a "What's-Worth-Knowing Questions Curriculum" where the art of asking questions becomes the source of all knowledge. This approach makes learning a process rather than a product, with teachers serving as guides or coaches rather than authority figures dispensing information.

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Key takeaways

Education as Subversion: Challenging the Status Quo

The Crap Detector: Education's True Purpose

The Hidden Curriculum: What Schools Really Teach

The Inquiry Method: Learning Through Questions

Language: The Window and Prison of Perception

Relevance: Connecting Learning to Life

Survival Skills for a World of Accelerating Change

Teaching as a Subversive Activity by Neil Postman Summary

Overview of Teaching as a Subversive Activity

Similar books to Teaching as a Subversive Activity

More like this

Key takeaways

Education as Subversion: Challenging the Status Quo

The Crap Detector: Education's True Purpose

The Hidden Curriculum: What Schools Really Teach

The Inquiry Method: Learning Through Questions

Language: The Window and Prison of Perception

Relevance: Connecting Learning to Life

Survival Skills for a World of Accelerating Change

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