Questions about the Socratic Method
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top
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.Back to Top