Socratic Seminar: Frozen Dreams

What you need to do:

One goal of this seminar is to understand the ideas and thoughts you have regarding stem cells and storage of embryos, in vitro fertilization, research, types of stem cells (adult, embryonic, induced pluripotent), and bioethics through asking questions and listening to others.

1.  Make conversation with your fellow classmates. I am a student as you. I will pose a question,which will serve as a starting point that you can move away from as you create ideas and questions that are more interesting as long as the new ideas can be discussed in terms of the article.

2.  Direct your comments to other students. I will not comment on what you have to say every time. Your job is to help others understand your opinion and questions you have regarding stem cells. You will be inquiring to help you to learn more about stem cells and relating issues.

3.  Agree and Disagree with others.

  1. I agree with ______b/c, but I want to add another reason why I think ______is true.
  2. I disagree with ______b/c ______.
  3. I am no sure why. Can you reword your comments to help me understand?
  4. I understand your point, but I want to add/ disagree give another point of the situation.
  5. This is what I think you are saying. ______Is that correct?

4.  This is a CLASS discussion. Note: Each person is expected to comment at least twice. If you are quiet, be sure to raise a question or comment at least once. If you are a talker, then limit yourself to leading the conversation.

5.  Be respectful of others and let them finish talking before you intervene. Everyone will get a chance to voice their opinion.

6.  Possible questions you may ask:
What puzzles me is, I have a question about,
I’d like to talk more about,
I’m confused about,
Don’t you think this is similar to,
Do you agree that the big ideas seem to be,
Another viewpoint is,
I think it means,
Do you think,
What does it mean when the author says,
Do you agree that,

7.  After the seminar, reflect on the discussion.

  1. What was the most interesting question?
  1. What was the most interesting idea to come from a participant?
  1. What was the best thing you observed?
  1. What was the most troubling thing you observed?
  1. What do you think should be done differently in the next seminar?
  1. What is something new you learned as a result of participating in this seminar?