What is the objective of a Socratic seminar?
The main goal of Socratic Seminar is to build a deeper understanding of texts and ideas through collaborative dialogue in the classroom. Teachers become facilitators while the students take an active lead in constructing meaning and understanding.
What is Socratic seminar based on?
This type of student-led discussion—based on Socrates’ method of student inquiry rather than teacher lecture—elicits student ownership, deep thinking, critical questioning, academic vocabulary usage, and a rooted sense of community.
Is Socratic seminar a debate?
Socratic seminars are named for their embodiment of Socrates’ belief in the power of asking questions, prize inquiry over information and discussion over debate.
How does Socratic seminar work?
In a Socratic Seminar activity, students help one another understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in a text through a group discussion format.
How do you do a good Socratic Seminar?
For instance, during the Socratic Seminar, students:
- Actively listen and respond to their peers.
- Learn to be respectful of the ideas, values, and perspectives of others.
- Maintain ownership of the learning.
- Learn responsibility and accountability as they prepare for each seminar.
What is the Socratic teaching method?
The Socratic method is a teaching tactic in which questions are asked continually until either the student gives a wrong answer or reasoning or the teacher is satisfied with the student’s responses.
What is an example of the Socratic method?
Under the Socratic method, there are various ways that professors can question their students. Typically, however, the questioning usually lies at opposite ends of a spectrum. For example, a professor might pick a student at random and question them (rapid-fire) for the entire duration of the class.
Why is Socrates teaching still important today?
Socrates spent the majority of his life asking questions, always in search of the truth. He is responsible for developing what is known as the Socratic method, a technique still used by professors in law schools today.
Do you argue while participating in a Socratic seminar?
Students are responsible for facilitating their group discussion around the ideas in the text; they shouldn’t use the discussion to assert their opinions or prove an argument.
What was Socrates belief?
Socrates believed that philosophy should achieve practical results for the greater well-being of society. He attempted to establish an ethical system based on human reason rather than theological doctrine. Socrates pointed out that human choice was motivated by the desire for happiness.
What is Socrates most famous for?
Socrates of Athens (l. c. 470/469-399 BCE) is among the most famous figures in world history for his contributions to the development of ancient Greek philosophy which provided the foundation for all of Western Philosophy. He is, in fact, known as the “Father of Western Philosophy” for this reason.
How do you survive a Socratic seminar?
5 Steps to a Successful Socratic Seminar
- Step 1: Choose a Text. The purpose of Socratic seminars is to use evidence to support interpretations of a text.
- Step 2: Let Students Prepare.
- Step 3: Give Students Questions.
- Step 4: Set Up Inner and Outer Circles.
- Step 5: Don’t Jump In.