At Saint Leo University, many instructors employ the Socratic Method of teaching in their classrooms. And they find it very effective in helping their students learn.
If you’re not familiar with this method, we will explain it while sharing a few Examples of Socratic teaching methods. Learn benefits and tips for maximizing the Socratic Method as a Saint Leo student.
What is the Socratic Teaching Method?
In its simplest form, the Socratic method of teaching is a thought-provoking dialogue between an instructor and their students. The Socratic Method is based on Socrates’ approach, using conversations to explore and clarify complex ideas.
Method of Socratic: instructors ask open-ended questions, encouraging critical thinking and student inquiry.
Socratic instructors facilitate discussions, guiding students to explore ‘why’ and multiple viewpoints.
Socratic Method of Teaching Examples
To better understand what this method might look like within a college-level classroom setting. Here are a few Socratic method of teaching examples:
- An instructor of a law class asks a student to summarize the facts of a specific court case. The court asks the student if they agree or disagree with its findings and provides a reason for their answer. The instructor may then change some of the facts of the case, asking the student to explain whether they still hold the same position.
- The parties examine the different sides of the case and explore the potential reasonings behind them.
An instructor of a social work class has the students read an article about substance abuse in certain populations. The teacher asks the student to write a summary of the article. The instructor then asks about the importance of this topic. This leads to questions about whether the article changed the student’s views or their opinion on the subject.
Socratic method: instructor asks similar questions to multiple students, sparking diverse perspectives.
Socratic Method Benefits
The Socratic method of teaching encourages students to explore their thoughts and beliefs, also considering how these thoughts and beliefs may contribute to their assumptions about the topic at hand. Using this method, students can analyze the information and come to their own conclusions, fostering critical thinking instead of simply accepting what they are told.
One study involving undergraduate business students confirms that the Socratic method of teaching helps improve a student’s critical thinking skills. Another study also found positive findings, this time suggesting that this method can be beneficial for improving reading comprehension by placing more attention on critical thinking and the ability to see the world from a different point of view.
An additional benefit of the Socratic method is that it keeps students engaged. If you’ve ever been in a classroom with a teacher who does nothing more than spew facts for you to write down, you know how unappealing this can be. Being in a classroom where the Socratic Method of teaching is employed provides a whole different feel. You are actively engaged in the conversation, contributing to the topic based on your experiences and opinions while also learning from other students.
How to Get the Most from a Socratic Method of Teaching
If you are in a classroom in which the instructor uses a Socratic method of teaching, there are a few things you can do to get the most out of this experience. This includes:
- Come to class prepared so you can participate intelligently in the discussion.
- Thinking about the topic in advance, considering your opinions or the factors you feel might be at play.
- Being willing to speak up and share your thoughts so others can learn from your interpretations, may involve working to overcome your fear of public speaking.
- Becoming a good listener when the instructor is engaging with other students, seeking to learn from their interactions.
In the end, the Socratic method of teaching is designed to help students gain a better understanding of a topic, including the complexities behind it. It also aims to get students more involved in the learning process, challenging long-held assumptions in favor of thinking on their own.
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