From the earliest days of formal teaching, educators have used metaphors as a way of improving the understanding of the importance of learning. Using metaphors allows teachers to deliver this message in a way that people can more readily comprehend. Paulo Freire used his "banking concept of education" metaphor as a way to show the flaws in the traditional sense of classroom instruction. He believed that students became only a receptor to the educators deposits of information. Instead, fostering an environment that encourages free-thinking, along with free-speaking, gives students an opportunity to be engaged in the lessons. This method of learning has the ability to leave a longer-lasting impression on the students, increasing their ability to retain the knowledge provided.
