Critical Dialogue

The Purpose

The intended purpose of the 2019 UMD Critical Dialogues in Teaching and Learning is to help participants build and sustainably apply insight about why we do what we do as educators.

"A Critical Dialogue," says a Florida International University Libraries web page that briefly describes the practice, "is a conversation that inspires insight and wisdom on a particular topic, both for the individuals participating in the discussion and the collective thinking of the group."

The FIU page also says, "When we make our thought processes visible, we have the opportunity to gain clarity on our ideas and allow others to gain understanding of our perspectives. We become more aware of our beliefs (convictions, deep feelings, attitudes) and whether or not they are based on assumptions to be discarded or enhance the value of our thinking. Critical dialogue produces a shared meaning that stems from individual collaboration."

The Forum on Education Abroad's Critical Dialogues website says, "Critical Dialogues provide participants with the time and space to explore significant topics in depth. Spontaneous and authentic discourse is the goal."

In Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Brazilian educator Paulo Freire describes critical dialogue as purpose-driven conversation intended to help participants learn from, productively challenge, and expand each other's perspectives. When facilitated well in a professional-development context, with focus and curiosity, the dialogue process is a reciprocal-mentoring experience that leaves every participant with rich, concrete information and insight applicable to growing in heir professional identity and practice. True critical dialogue of this sort, with these purposes in mind, is not aimless, ambiguous, circular conversation; it is intentional and rigorous intellectual inquiry.