Friday, June 15, 2012

Socratic Teaching

Recently in a workshop I talked about Socratic Questioning.  We had some discussion about it, and someone mentioned that they wanted to "see" an example.  OK... I have done some research and found some examples.  I am attaching a high school example for geoscience and an elementary sample for mathematics.  I will say there are many examples found on the Internet.  So, don't forget about GOOGLE!
Here are the 6 Types of Socratic Questions:
1.  Questions for clarification (C):
  • Why do you say that?
  • Hows does this relate to our discussion?
  • What are you including in your equations?
 2.  Questions that probe assumptions (A):
  • What could we assume instead?
  • How can your verify or disprove that assumption?
  • Why are you including this particular equation and not another?
3.  Questions that probe reason and evidence (RE):
  • What would be an example?
  • What is this analogous to?
  • What do you think causes this to happen? Why?
4.  Questions about viewpoints and perspectives (VP):
  • What would be an alternative?
  • What is another way to look at it?
  • Why is this necessary or beneficial?
  • What are the strengths? What are the weaknesses?
  • What is a counterargument?
5.  Questions that probe implications and consequences (IC)?
  • What generalizations can you make?
  • What are the consequences of this assumption?
  • What are you implying?
  • How does this affect..."
  • How does this tie in with what we learned before?
6.  Questions about the question (Q):
  • What was the point of this question?
  • Why do you think I asked this question?
  • What does this mean?
  • How does this apply to everyday life?
There are many other examples of the types of questions that could be used for the 6 types of Socratic questioning.  I don't think the issue is that we never ask Socratic questions, but rather, I think the issue is that we don't consistently go through all the major types of Socratic questions.



No comments:

Post a Comment