Questions about the Socratic Method
- What exactly is the Socratic Method and where did it originate?
- How will the Socratic method work in our classroom?
- What do you mean by open-ended questions?
- What do you mean by dialogue?
- What are the guidelines for participants in a Socratic Seminar?
- How will you grade us on Socratic Seminar?
- Tell me more about dialogue as we'll use it in our Socratic Seminars.
- Will we use the Socratic Method every class period?
What exactly is the Socratic Method and where did it originate?
The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates' theory that
it is more important to enable students to think for themselves
than to merely fill their heads with "right"; answers. Socrates
regularly engaged his students in dialogues by responding to
their questions with questions, instead of answers. This process
encourages divergent thinking rather than convergent thinking.
How will the Socratic method work in our classroom?
Students are given an assignment which asks them to examine a
common piece of text in a novel, short story, or poem. After
studying the common text, students annotate it and pose open-
ended questions to bring to class for socratic seminar. You
should come to seminar with enough notes and/or questions so that
you are an essential participant.
What do you mean by open-ended questions?
Open-ended questions allow students to think critically, analyze
multiple meanings in text, and express ideas with clarity and
confidence. After a while, students feel a certain degree of
emotional safety when they understand that the Socratic method is
based on dialogue and not discussion/debate.
What do you mean by dialogue?
Dialogue is exploratory and involves the suspension of biases and
prejudices. Discussion/debate, on the other hand, is a transfer
of information designed to win an argument and bring closure.
Americans are great at discussion/debate, but we do not dialogue
well. However, once teachers and students learn to dialogue,
they find that the ability to ask meaningful questions that
stimulate thoughtful interchanges of ideas is more important than
the answer; In our Socratic Seminars, students will respond to
one another with respect by carefully listening instead of
interrupting. Students will be encouraged to paraphrase
essential elements of another's ideas before responding, look
each other in the eye, and use each other's names. These simple
acts of socialization reinforce appropriate behavor and promote
team building among students.
What are the guidelines for participants in a Socratic Seminar?
Here are the guidelines we will use for participating in Socratic
Seminars:
1. Refer to the text during the seminar. A seminar is not a test
of memory; your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and
values reflected in the text.
2. Do not participate if you are not prepared. A seminar is not
a bull session. Take notes and create questions the night before
so you are never at a loss for something to add to the seminar.
3. Do not stay confused; ask questions; ask for clarification.
4. Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes
about ideas you want to come back to.
5. Don't raise hands; take turns speaking.
6. Listen carefully.
7. Speak up so that everyone can hear you!
8. Talk to each other not to the teacher.
9. Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions.
10. You are responsible for the seminar; the seminar cannot be
successful if the individuals in the class are not prepared.
How will you grade us on Socratic Seminar?
When I am grading your Socratic Seminar participation, I will ask
myself the following questions about participants. Did they. . .
speaking loudly and clearly?
cite reasons and evidence for their statements?
use the text to find support?
listen to others respectfully?
stick to the subject at hand?
talk to each other, not the teacher or leader?
paraphrase accurately?
ask for help to clear up confusion?
support each other?
avoid hostile exchanges?
question others in a civil manner?
are they prepared? do they know what they're talking about?
hand in notes to support their preparation?
NOTE: both your participation and your notes will be graded.
Tell me more about dialogue as we'll use it in our Socratic Seminars.
1. We'll use dialogue to work toward a shared understanding.
2. In dialogue, one listens to understand, to make meaning, to
find common ground.
3. Dialogue enlarges and possibly changes a participant's point
of view.
4. Dialogue creates an open-minded attitude; an openness to
being wrong and an openness to change.
5. In dialogue, one submits one's best thinking, expecting that
other people's reflections will improve it rather than threaten
it.
6. In dialogue, one searches for strengths in all positions.
7. Dialogue respects all participants and seeks not to alienate
nor offend.
8. Dialogue assumes that many people have pieces of answers and
that cooperation can lead to greater understanding.
9. Dialogue approaches others who see problems differently not
as adversaries, but as colleagues in common pursuit of a better
solution.
Will we use the Socratic Method every class period?
We will engage in a variety of activities and learning strategies
in our class, and the Socratic Method will be one of them. We'll
also have regular class discussions, work in groups, make
individual and/or group presentations, and engage in a variety of
other means to learning. I highlight the Socratic Method because
it is centered on the student where I think learning occurs best.
