Guidelines for Socratic Seminar: Teens & Technology
ELA 3-4H
Socratic Seminar: Technology
Guidelines for Socratic Seminar: Teens & Technology
The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates' theory that it is more important to enable students to think for themselves than to merely fill their heads with "right" answers. Therefore, he regularly engaged his pupils in dialogues by responding to their questions with questions, instead of answers. This process encourages independent thinking and close analysis. This is the goal of our Socratic Seminars.
Basic Setup of the Socratic Seminar
• Before the Socratic Seminar, the instructor will provide students with an essential question that will provide the basis for a sound discussion. Students should prepare tangential open-ended questions that may lead to dialogue on the given subject. They need not prepare answers—a Socratic Seminar is never “scripted.”
• On the day of the seminar, all students will sit in a circle with the instructor on the outside.
• Two students will be elected as leaders to facilitate and help monitor the group discussion.
• ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE TAKING NOTES ON THE DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE QUESTIONS.
• The Socratic Seminar will conclude at the end of the class period.
Guidelines for Participants in a Socratic Seminar
1. Refer to the text when needed during the discussion. A seminar is not a test of memory. You are not "learning a subject"; your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in the text.
2. It's okay to "pass" if asked to contribute.
3. Do not participate if you are not prepared. A seminar should not be a bull session.
4. Do not stay confused; ask for clarification.
5. Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to.
6. Take turns speaking; do not monopolize the conversation. You only need to raise your hand if there are many speakers. Jumping right in is preferable to raising your hand.
7. Listen carefully to each other and be incredibly respectful.
8. Speak up so that all can hear you.
9. Talk to each other, not just to the leader or teacher.
10. Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions.
11. You are responsible for the seminar, even if you don't know it or admit it.
12. It is your responsibility to make all of your comments in a timely manner.
Expectations of Participants in a Socratic Seminar
When I evaluate your Socratic Seminar participation, I will ask myself the following questions.
Did the student….
Speak loudly and clearly? Cite reasons and evidence for their statements? Use ample textual references to find support? Listen to others respectfully? Stick with the subject? Talk to each other, not just to the leader? Paraphrase accurately? Ask for help to clear up confusion? Support each other and avoid hostile exchanges? Avoid monopolizing the conversation at the expense of others’ thoughts or ideas? Question others in a civil manner? Seem prepared?
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How does technology serve as both a benefit and a detriment in the lives of young people, and what is its proper role on the global stage? Think globally—your ideas should not be limited to just America!
There are three steps to preparing for a successful Socratic Seminar:
I. Questions
Keeping in mind our essential question, please prepare 5 questions for the Socratic Seminar at DOK levels 3 or 4. Avoid speculative (“what if?”) or closed-ended questions that could be easily answered with a yes/no or questions that can cleared up definitively and directly from the text. You do not need to respond to these questions.
II. Research Recap
You will be expected to conduct research on the role of technology in the lives of young people. You will do this by reading one outside article linked on my website (go to Academic Links> 3-4 H Editorial Links). For this article, you will be expected to complete the following:
• A brief summary
• A connection to the text
• Two more elements of your choice from the “Responding to the Text” handout (label them)
• The link to your online source
You will submit your questions and your research recap to turnitin.com by 7:30 AM the day of the Socratic Seminar. Please plan ahead. I am not responsible for last-minute computer failure—have a back-up! Late work will receive a zero.
III. The Seminar
On the day of the seminar, bring your copy of any articles, your questions and your notes (which should include the Research Recap).
There are three ways to earn points, and you will be expected to speak 3 times:
• Posing an intelligent, higher level question to the group
• Specifically responding to a question posed by your peers
• Making an insightful comment AND referencing the text or your previously prepared research
Do not assume that you have earned full points simply because you have opened your mouth the requisite number of times. I am looking for depth of response and understanding.
Research Recap & Questions – 20 points
Socratic Seminar participation – 15 points + 5 point follow-up
***Follow-up questions (they’ll be on Canvas):
On a scale from 1-5, I’m rating my Socratic Seminar participation a…because…
The most insightful comment I heard from someone else was…because…
The most useful thing I learned from today’s Socratic Seminar that I might be able to use in my editorial was….because…