1. Socratic
Seminars

2. What does Socratic mean?
Socratic comes from the name
Socrates  
Classical Greek philosopher who developed a Theory of Knowledge.

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

4. The Vision Participants seek a deeper understanding
of complex ideas through thoughtful
dialogue,
rather than by memorizing information.

5. What is a Socratic Seminar?
A Highly motivating form of intellectual and scholarly discourse

6. How long is it?
30-50 minutes discussion

7. Dialogue is NOT Debate!

8. Debate Dialogue Is oppositional Is collaborative
One listens to counter arguments.
Affirms participant's points of view.
Defends assumptions as truth
Creates a close-minded attitude
Is collaborative
One listens to find common ground
Enlarges points of view
Reveals assumptions for re-evaluation
Creates an open-minded attitude

9. Debate Dialogue Defends thinking to show that it is right.
Calls for investing in one's beliefs.
One searches for weaknesses
Rebuts contrary positions and may belittle others
Debate assumes a single right answer
Demands a conclusion
Expects other’s reflections will improve their own thinking
Temporarily suspending one's beliefs
Searches for strengths
Respects others and seeks not to alienate
Assumes that cooperation can lead to greater understanding
Remains open-ended

10. What was Socrates' Theory of Knowledge?
Socrates was convinced that the way to attain reliable knowledge was through disciplined
conversation
He called this method dialectic.

11. What does dialectic mean?
di-a-lec-tic (noun) --- the art or practice of
examining opinions or ideas logically,
often by the method of
Question and Answer
so as to determine their validity.

12. What is discussed? specific text
A Socratic Seminar is a method used to understand information regarding a
specific text
Participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas in text through thoughtful dialogue, rather than by memorizing bits of information.

13. questions The Text: You must use the text to help support your
claims and to raise:
questions
There are no right or wrong answers.
At the end of successful Socratic Seminars, participants often leave with more questions than they brought with them.

14. The Question: Question
A Socratic Seminar opens with a
Question
posed by the leader or from a participant.
Responses to the opening question generate new ideas and, leading to new responses.

15. The Leader: Leader and Participant
In a Socratic Seminar, the leader plays a dual role as
Leader and Participant
& keeps the discussion focused on the text by
asking follow-up questions
helping clarify positions when arguments become confused
involving reluctant participants

16. The Leader:
As a seminar participant, the leader actively engages in the group's exploration of the
text
To do this effectively, the leader must know the text well enough to anticipate varied interpretations and recognize important possibilities

17. There are three ways to do this:
The Participants
In a Socratic Seminar, participants are responsibile for the quality of the seminar.
There are three ways to do this:
Studying
Participating
Sharing

18. Starting Dialogue
Students must risk making mistakes in order to learn how to learn to think critically, and work collaboratively.

19. 9 Guidelines for Participants in a Socratic Seminar
Refer to the text during the discussion.
Do not stay confused; ask for clarification.
Stick to the point.
Don't raise hands; take turns speaking.
Listen carefully and Speak up so that all can hear you.
Talk to each other, not just to the leader.
Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions.
NO DEBATES! DISCUSSION ONLY

20. Sample questions that demonstrate constructive participation in Socratic Seminars.
Here is my view and how I arrived at it. How does it sound to you?
Do you see gaps in my reasoning?
Do you have different data?
Do you have different conclusions?
How did you arrive at your view?
Are you taking into account something different from what I have considered?

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