Socratic Method
Does the Socratic method work better for all levels of course work? It is difficult to use the Socratic method in an intro level science class when the students have no knowledge foundation.
Are there any other online resources for teaching the Socratic Method?
I appreciate the comments. I have seen instructors use the Socratic Method very effectively without putting students through a nerve-wracking experience of worrying when they will be called on next. I appreciate instructors who are clear on what they expect the students to know the next class meeting so that the discussion doesn't become painful, yet remains productive and challenging.
Hi Scott - Thanks for your post to the forum. That move to critical thinking will also of course be a requirement as your students move into their careers. Great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I use the Socratic method in lower level classes to get the students to start thinking about the "whys" It is that deeper thinking they will need to practice in the higher level classes.
Hi Lisa - Soctratic Questioning is actually used in the presenting of material as a way of getting students participating and making discoveries through the questions that are asked. Therefore it can be used in every class to teach material, not as an assessment of what has been learned. Susan
Is the Socratic method a tecnhique you should use after each presentation and before the class ends? How often should it be used?
I used the Socratic Method in my second level term class/ and anatomy class, I give them a question, then answer with a question. The students continue to learn as I'm questioning them. I have students that prefer this type of teaching , because it gives them a base of knowledge, and they build on that.
Hi, mJoy.
Very good! I think your method takes the edge off for students who are not familiar with this method, and puts them on notice that they will be asked to participate. Done with the right attitude, it should be a great way to kick off a class and get participation from a large number right from the start!--Gary O. Ackerman
I agree, Todd. To expand on this, we can use the socratic method to explore and firm up knowledge at any time. It is very effective in my class when used to nail down the basics of a technique we've just explored in demo or lecture. --Gary O. Ackerman
HI Colin - I agree totally! WE need to bring our students to the point where they use the knowledge we have given them to be able to analyze abstract related concepts and to be able to synthesize with the concepts they have learned. Susan
In the culinary classroom I have found that it can indeed be problematic to employ the Socratic method in introductory classes. However, and after teaching both introductory and advanced modules, I have found that a more Socratic approach is not only successful but necessary in the more advcanced courses. Students really need to be constantly challenged by the instructor to pull from the knowledge thay have gained in previous modules in order for the information to be useful.
Hi Joy- Thanks for your post to the forum. Explaining how and why you use the Socratic method is excellent. It helps your students to be invested and engaged in their own learning. Great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
During our first class session I tell students that my primary teaching method is an adapted Socratic method. I explain Socrates and his method and explain that I attempt to make the lecture a dialogue. I will introduce an idea or concept and then ask questions to get students to respond and give their ideas and opinions. I tell them that the class is much more interesting when we talk about the content instead of letting me do all of the talking.
HI Todd- Thanks for your post to the forum. Using the Socratic method to have your students delve more deeply into a topic is usually so effective at getting students engaged and also improving retention of the material because they have to process the concepts in order to discuss them. Way better than listening to more lecture! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
You can also use the Socratic method after introducing some of the concepts to make the students explore main points in more detail.
Questions at the onset of a course can't be as technically focused as when you use them later in the course when the students have been exposed to the course material. However, I use questions from the get go to illicit interest and background knowledge or experience with the course material. I find this demonstrates the value of knowledge and experience the students bring to class that can be mined as part of the overall learning process in the course. This also makes the course more personal for the students.
