Using the Socratic Method to Teach College Students
Being a teacher at the college level can be a challenging job
. You compete with college sports and frat parties with the hope that you will get through to your students and that they will learn important topics and concepts that make them better citizens. If you are new to college teaching, you will need to prepare yourself for your first day on the job. In addition to putting your badge, keys and portable memory drives on your teacher lanyards, you'll need to learn a few more tricks of the teaching profession to stay on top of your game.
One of the most important things that college professors can use in their instruction is the Socratic Method. It is a pedagogical method of questioning that encourages students to become more critical thinkers.
Many people feel that Socrates was one of the greatest teachers in human history. He instructed his students by asking them many questions in order to get them to dig deeper for the information they were looking for. There are six different questions types, and each of them can help students learn by challenging them to think outside of their comfort zone and to questions their own believes and premises.
Exploring other viewpoints and other perspectives: When students present an argument, it comes from their own background and perspective. Attacking that position can bring other viewpoints to light.
What if someone approached the situation this way? Wouldn't that also be reasonable?
What would a person with a different perspective say in response?
What if you compared your response to a different opinion?
Exploring the possible consequences: What does the student's argument imply? What will the end result be?
What happens after that?
If one assumes that, what is likely to follow?
How does your response affect?
Does this change anything that you learned earlier?
Responding to questions with more questions: Go back to square one and place the question back in their hands.
Why do you think I have asked this?
What is my point in asking these things?
Using questions to clarify: These questions help students probe deeper into the topic.
What makes you think that way?
What do you mean?
How could you rephrase your response?
Could you clarify with an example?
Using questions to root out assumptions: These questions encourage students examine their own beliefs.
What does your argument assume?
Can you prove that assumption?
So would you also disagree that?
Probing for evidence and reason: Do not simply accept a student's answer. Make them ponder in a critical way and find supportive evidence for their arguments.
Can you use an example to further explain it to the class?
How can we know that your assumptions are reasonable?
Might others try to refute your claim? How?
Are you explanations sound? Would the hold up in a court of law?
Using the Socratic Method to Teach College Students
By: Adam Anderson
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