What does Socratic Seminar mean?
In a Socratic Seminar activity, students help one another understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in a text through a group discussion format. Through this type of discussion, students practice how to listen to one another, make meaning, and find common ground while participating in a conversation.
What is the Socratic Seminar used for?
The purpose of a Socratic Seminar is to achieve a deeper understanding about the ideas and values in a text. In the Seminar, participants systematically question and examine issues and principles related to a particular content, and articulate different points-of-view.
What is a fishbowl Socratic Seminar?
Similar to a Socratic Seminar, fishbowl discussions are organized classroom discussions that require students to prepare thoughtful responses to deliver in class.
What is the difference between a Socratic Seminar and a Paideia seminar?
A Paideia Seminar is similar, but it takes the Socratic discussion to the next level, as it embodies important guidelines of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and aligns to the CCSS.
Why is it called Socratic Seminar?
Socratic seminars are named for their embodiment of Socrates’ belief in the power of asking questions, prize inquiry over information and discussion over debate. Socratic seminars acknowledge the highly social nature of learning and align with the work of John Dewey, Lev Vygotsky, Jean Piaget, and Paulo Friere.
What does Socratic mean?
(Entry 1 of 2) : of or relating to Socrates, his followers, or his philosophical method of systematic doubt and questioning of another to elicit a clear expression of a truth supposed to be knowable by all rational beings.
How does fishbowl work?
In a Fishbowl discussion, students seated inside the “fishbowl” actively participate in a discussion by asking questions and sharing their opinions, while students standing outside listen carefully to the ideas presented.
What is the fishbowl effect?
One common issue during the adjustment period is called the fishbowl effect. This is when the images you see through your lenses appear to bend along the edges, similar to how the world would look when peering through a fishbowl. Other issues that you may experience include: General distortion. Blurred vision.
What are the rules of a Socratic seminar?
Tips for Using Socratic Questioning:
- Plan significant questions that provide meaning and direction to the dialogue.
- Use Wait Time: Allow at least thirty seconds for students to respond.
- Follow up on students’ responses.
- Ask probing questions.
- Periodically summarize in writing key points that have been discussed.
Why are Socratic seminars bad?
Instead, Socratic Seminars often foster an uncomfortable mood, as students may actively defend and debate their point of view without considering the suggestions of others, cutting off effective communication.
What is the rationale for a Socratic seminar?
Socratic Seminar. Rationale. In a Socratic Seminar activity, students help one another understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in a text through a group discussion format.
Is there a rubric for evaluating a Socratic seminar?
A rubric for evaluating a Socratic Seminar discussion is provided in the assessment section. This rubric may also prove useful to students who are evaluating other students or reflecting on their own participation.
How long should the text be in a Socratic seminar?
Also, the text should not be too long to read closely in the allotted amount of time. Often, teachers select a text ranging from one paragraph to one page.
What should be the purpose of a seminar?
Before beginning the seminar, it is also important to remind students that the purpose of the seminar is not to debate or prove a point but to more deeply understand what the author was trying to express in the text.
