socraticseminars

tôi muốn đánh đổi cả sự nghiệp công nghệ của mình lấy một buổi chiều với Socrates

--Steven Paul Jobs

Socratic SeminarsSocratic SeminarsAn Instructional Unit for Pre-service TeachersAn Instructional Unit for Pre-service Teachers

What does What does SocraticSocratic mean? mean?

Socratic comes from the name Socratic comes from the name

SocratesSocrates

Classical Greek philosopher who developed a Classical Greek philosopher who developed a

Theory of Knowledge. Theory of Knowledge.

http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/instruction/ELA/SocraticSeminars/faqsaboutss.htm

What was Socrates' Theory of What was Socrates' Theory of Knowledge?Knowledge?

Socrates was convinced that the surest way Socrates was convinced that the surest way attainattain

reliable knowledge was through the practice ofreliable knowledge was through the practice of

disciplined disciplined

conversationconversationHe called this method He called this method dialecticdialectic. .


What does dialectic mean?What does dialectic mean?

di-a-di-a-leclec-tic (noun) means the art or practice of -tic (noun) means the art or practice of

examining opinions or ideas logically, examining opinions or ideas logically,

often by the method of often by the method of

QuestionQuestion and and AnswerAnswer so as to determine their validity. so as to determine their validity.


How did Socrates use the How did Socrates use the dialectic?dialectic?

He would begin with a discussion of the obvious He would begin with a discussion of the obvious

aspects of any aspects of any

problemproblem Socrates would feign ignorance about a subject Socrates would feign ignorance about a subject

and try to draw out from the other person hisand try to draw out from the other person his

fullest possible knowledge about it. fullest possible knowledge about it.

The VisionThe Vision

Socrates believed that enabling students to think for themselves was more important than filling their heads with“right answers.”

The VisionThe Vision

Participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas through rigorously thoughtful dialogue, rather than by memorizing bits of information.

What is a Socratic Seminar?What is a Socratic Seminar?

A Socratic Seminar is a method used to understand A Socratic Seminar is a method used to understand information by creating dialectic in class information by creating dialectic in class

regarding aregarding a

specific textspecific text

Participants seek deeper understanding of complexParticipants seek deeper understanding of complexideas in text through rigorous thoughtful dialogue,ideas in text through rigorous thoughtful dialogue,

rather than by memorizing bits of information. rather than by memorizing bits of information.


What are Socratic Seminars?What are Socratic Seminars?

Highly motivating form of intellectual and scholarly discourse.

What are Socratic Seminars?What are Socratic Seminars?

Usually range from 30-50 minutes An effective

Socratic Seminar creates dialogue as opposed to debate.

Benefits include:Benefits include:

Time to engage in in-depth discussions, problem solving, and clarification of ideas



Building a strong, collaborative work culture



Enhanced knowledge and research base



Increased success for all students



Teaching respect for diverse ideas, people, and practices



Creating a positive learning environment for all students


Overview and ReviewOverview and Review

http://wblrd.sk.ca/~bestpractice/socratic/index.html

Four ElementsFour Elements

An effective seminar consists of four interdependent elements:

1. the text being considered

2. the questions raised

3. the seminar leader, and

4. the participants

The Text:The Text: Socratic Seminar texts are chosen for richness in Socratic Seminar texts are chosen for richness in ideas, issues, values and their ability to stimulate ideas, issues, values and their ability to stimulate

dialogue. dialogue. A good text raises importantA good text raises important

questionsquestions

There are no right or wrong answers. There are no right or wrong answers. At the end of successful Socratic Seminars, At the end of successful Socratic Seminars,

participants often leave with more questions than participants often leave with more questions than they brought with them.they brought with them.


The TextThe Text

Socratic Seminar texts are chosen for their richness in ideas, issues, and values, and their ability to stimulate extended, thoughtful dialogue.


The TextThe Text

A seminar text can be drawn from readings in literature, history, science, math, health, and philosophy or from works of art or music.


The Question:The Question:

A Socratic Seminar opens with a A Socratic Seminar opens with a

QuestionQuestionposed by the leader or solicited from participants posed by the leader or solicited from participants

as they acquire more experience in seminars. as they acquire more experience in seminars.

Responses to the opening question generate newResponses to the opening question generate new

questions from the leader and participants, questions from the leader and participants, leading to new responses. leading to new responses.


The QuestionThe Question An opening question has no right answer

It reflects a genuine curiosity on the part of the leader.

Does the factory model of education cause the oppression and failure of many non-mainstream cultures?

The QuestionThe Question An effective opening question leads

participants back to the text as they speculate, evaluate, define, and clarify the issues involved. Responses to the opening question generate new

questions The line of inquiry evolves on the spot rather than

being predetermined by the leader.

Starting DialogueStarting Dialogue Asking questions is the key! A leader prompts the use of dialogue

Participants learn to be less attached to their ideas and less reliant on persuasion for influencing opinions.

Dialogue is a skill of collaboration that enables groups to create collective thinking.

Discussion & DialogueDiscussion & Dialogue Discussion in the dictionary is "a close

examination of a subject with interchange of opinions, sometimes using argument, in an effort to reach an agreement.

The Leader:The Leader:

In a Socratic Seminar, the leader plays a dual role as In a Socratic Seminar, the leader plays a dual role as

Leader Leader and and ParticipantParticipant Keeps the discussion focused on the text byKeeps the discussion focused on the text by

asking follow-up questionsasking follow-up questions helping clarify positions when arguments become helping clarify positions when arguments become

confusedconfused involving reluctant participantsinvolving reluctant participants


The Leader:The Leader:

As a seminar participant, the leader actively engages As a seminar participant, the leader actively engages

in the group's exploration of thein the group's exploration of the

texttextTo do this effectively, the leader must know the text To do this effectively, the leader must know the text

well enough to anticipate varied interpretations and well enough to anticipate varied interpretations and

recognize important possibilitiesrecognize important possibilities

The ParticipantsThe Participants

In a Socratic Seminar, participants carry the burden In a Socratic Seminar, participants carry the burden

of responsibility for the of responsibility for the quality of the seminar. of the seminar.

There are three ways to do this:There are three ways to do this:

Studying Studying

ParticipatingParticipating

SharingSharing

Expectations of ParticipantsExpectations of ParticipantsDid I…..Did I….. Speak loudly and clearly? Speak loudly and clearly? Cite reasons and evidence for my statements? Cite reasons and evidence for my statements? Use the text to find support? Use the text to find support? Listen to others respectfully? Listen to others respectfully? Stick with the subject? Stick with the subject? Talk to others, not just to the leader? Talk to others, not just to the leader? Paraphrase accurately?Paraphrase accurately? Avoid inappropriate language?Avoid inappropriate language? Ask questions to clear up confusion? Ask questions to clear up confusion? Support others? Support others? Avoid hostile exchanges? Avoid hostile exchanges? Question others in a civil manner? Question others in a civil manner? Seem prepared?Seem prepared?

The Process - Pre-SeminarThe Process - Pre-Seminar

http://wblrd.sk.ca/~bestpractice/socratic/process2.html

The Process - During the The Process - During the SeminarSeminar


QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

The Process - Post SeminarThe Process - Post Seminar


Seminar Planning FormSeminar Planning Form

http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/form.phtmlform.phtml

Self Rating FormSelf Rating Form

http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/chart.phtmlchart.phtml

Observation FormObservation Form

http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/observation.phtmlobservation.phtml

Facility Evaluation FormFacility Evaluation Form

http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/facilitator.phtml facilitator.phtml

Assessment RubricAssessment Rubric

http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/http://www.journeytoexcellence.org/practice/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/instruction/theories/miscideas/socratic/facilitator.phtmlfacilitator.phtml

Other Sample AssessmentsOther Sample Assessments

http://wblrd.sk.ca/~bestpractice/socratic/http://wblrd.sk.ca/~bestpractice/socratic/assessment.htmlassessment.html

ReferencesReferences

http://cfbstaff.cfbisd.edu/juliank/AVID/http://cfbstaff.cfbisd.edu/juliank/AVID/Socratic%20Seminar%20Notes.htmSocratic%20Seminar%20Notes.htm

Socratic Seminar - Socratic Seminar - Factory Model of Education as Factory Model of Education as

Discussed by Pre-Service Discussed by Pre-Service TeachersTeachers

The TextThe TextEducation Schooling, LearningEducation Schooling, Learninghttp://www.polyarchy.org/education.htmlhttp://www.polyarchy.org/education.html

Competing Models of EducationCompeting Models of Educationhttp://www.commondreams.org/views05/0226-25.htmhttp://www.commondreams.org/views05/0226-25.htm

Remodel Schools into Knowledge FactoriesRemodel Schools into Knowledge Factorieshttp://www.pbs.org/merrow/news/usa_today4.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/merrow/news/usa_today4.html

Models of PedagogyModels of Pedagogyhttp://www.riccistreet.net/port80/boardwalk/highered/models.htmhttp://www.riccistreet.net/port80/boardwalk/highered/models.htm

The QuestionsThe Questions

Does the factory model of education provide Does the factory model of education provide students with the skills needed to increase their students with the skills needed to increase their chance of survival in the United States chance of survival in the United States society?society?

Does the factory model of education cause the Does the factory model of education cause the oppression and failure of many non-oppression and failure of many non-mainstream cultures? mainstream cultures?

Student ReactionsStudent Reactions

Like many, this Socratic seminar was my first and I found it to be enjoyable. I feel that it is beneficial because every voice in the group is heard. I believe that teaching is a profession in which the professionals need to talk more and be more open about their careers and their practices.


One of only drawbacks to the seminar is a time restraint. It is hard to really delve deep into the questions when everyone needs to talk and there are only 60 minutes to talk. Much time is needed to talk about these problems but I feel it is very important for us to begin now, while in training, so that hopefully in the future we will continue the practice at our school sites.


Exchanging ideas in such an environment allows for both a broad, and a deep, understanding of a text, and for the ideas that the text elicits. Also, gratification from a community-based, respectfully conducted, shared experience holds benefits for all. The drawbacks enter when any of the criteria are not met. That is, when any component (leader, participant, question, text) does not meet its responsibility, the quality of the seminar "can be" sacrificed.


I felt really nervous going into the seminar with it being my first stab. I felt like I was prepared being that I read and re-read the literature, made notes and created questions, but then when we all sat down in a circle, my brain flew the coop. A thought would come to mind and then I'd flip through the readings trying to find the source for the thought, and then I'd feel like the conversation had moved on. But, I did like the structure and felt our group worked at being respectful and being supportive of what our fellow classmates had contributed to the conversation.


Well, for this being my first Socratic seminar ever, I was a bit blown away by the whole process. In general, I like to think before I speak- al least in the educational world, and I found it very hard to listen to what other's were saying while trying to find the quote or piece to back up my comment. However, I did find the conversation to move nicely and we really did come up with new questions and answers to the topics. I was afraid this was going to turn into a messy debate over personal opinions- we stuck to the directions nicely.


The ability to search out relevant quotes and formulate your own thoughts while simultaneously listening deeply to others' comments is a pretty specialized skill and one that I think develops the more you use the Socratic seminar model. I think we did amazingly well for a first-try. A Socratic seminar is very much a process - it does not fit neatly into a small period of time, The great thing about learning it well, though, is that it is very empowering to know that you have just as much control over the conversation as anyone else . . .

socraticseminars

Documents

opening question

socratic seminar

factory model

ca bestpracticesocraticindex

seminar http

socratic seminars

benefits include

seminar