Socrates - Question
I didn't see this in the module, so I thought I'd ask...
Does anyone here use the Socratic Method? If so, what does this method mean to you, and how do you use it in your class?
Christopher,
We seem to use similar methods. Students enjoy being challenged and I find they retain more when they think through the process rather than my giving them the information.
Judy Mohammed
I agree Ms. Mohammed! I employ the Socratic Method in my teaching of medical laboratory courses. After the students realize that 90% of a physician’s diagnosis is based upon the testing in the clinical laboratory, they begin understanding the importance of fine-tuning their critical thinking skills. For instance, when doing cross matching and blood typing in the classroom lab, students have the opportunity to play the role of a practicing medical laboratory technologist, who is charged with matching the correct blood type so that the patient receives the right blood products. When students do not match the correct blood type and the patient “diesâ€, I ask them pertinent questions regarding why that occurred. Afterward, I ask the class probing questions that will allow them time to understand why their patient “diedâ€.
Amy,
Students want to be challenged, they enjoy stimulation. They feel good when they think critically and offer responses that are correct or, at least, along the right direction.
Judy Mohammed
I do include the Socratic method in my course as I find it encourages stimulating discussions and critical thinking. Law schools use this and students seem to dislike feeling put on the spot by that type of questioning in the beginning; however, I notice that more students come to class prepared when they know the Socratic method is employed.
Shawn,
This is also my favorite technique in teaching. Students enjoy being challenged and we need to guide them to critical thinking skills.
Judy Mohammed
Unless I am utilizing a closed question technique in class, I love to use the Socratic method of questioning to develop analytical and critical thinking skills, especially when there isn't one "correct" answer.
Jeff,
I like your analogy of a JOURNEY and, if I may, I will use it. We do take our students on journeys and we are the guides who can make these journeys matter to them.
Judy Mohammed
In order for students to get a lot out of the classroom experience, they need more than just the information, they need to take the same path that we the instructor took when we were learning this same material. They need to ask the questions that we asked, get challenged at the same points we did, have doubts as well.
It is the JOURNEY through their education that's important, not just the result on a test, and that journey is what the Socratic Method is all about.
Leslie ,
This is so true. I have used this method of teaching from the first time I began to teach. It is important to challenge minds.
Judy Mohammed
William,
The Socratic method is teaching by questioning and challenging students. I employ this method in all of my classes. This helps to develop critical thinking skills. I do not just give out information, I ask questions that will allow students to think and I probe to help them arrive at the corect information.
Judy Mohammed
William,
To me, Socratic questioning goes along with critical thinking so I do like to encourage this. Per Socrates, you should apporach an issue with the following questions: What are the sources of information? Are they based on fact? What assumptions have been made? What are the implications if they are followed? and How will the results be measured? I think critical thinking is very important for students to learn, especially in medicine.
Leslie
