In my last post, I talked about critical thinking, and the importance of it in our children’s education. This brings me to venture more deeply into how I can incorporate this skill more effectively. Enter the Socratic Method of teaching. Right now, we are using the Torchlight Curriculum in our homeschool. It is heavily based in this method. However, I have been asked to explain the meaning of it, and how it is implemented. So…..here goes!
The Socratic method was derived from the Greek philosopher, Socrates. In an attempt to get his students to think deeper about a situation he would ask them questions until contradictions were exposed. He wanted to have an open dialogue between the teacher and the student. His probing questions forced the student to expand on their viewpoint. This causes their wheels to turn, and gets them thinking from different angles. Can they defend their point of view? Can they explain their thoughts on the subject? Right or wrong answers are not as important as the reasoning behind their explanation and view point. Socrates used this method of questioning to encourage people to question the things they were told, and to look beyond the obvious.
Now do you see why this is important in today’s world? Many parents joining the homeschool movement are looking for alternatives to traditional school. They are seeing the lack of critical thinking in their children’s education. When I think of an environment where an adult tells a child to do something because that is how it is done, with no willingness to explain, it makes my blood boil. I want my kids to question everything. This is how they learn. This is how they do not become doormats by simply following orders blindly. When a problem arises, they need to be able to see a solution from many angles. We want to encourage the next generation of innovators, not followers.
Why Use the Socratic Method?
There are 3 main reasons the Socratic method is still used today.
- It helps develop critical thinking skills.
- It gets students ready to think quickly.
- It forces students to be prepared and attentive.
One way that we incorporate this skill is simply by reading. When the boys read a few chapters of their book, we discuss it. I ask them many questions about the plot, characters, and situations. It gets them thinking, and retaining what they’ve read. It also allows them to dive deeper into the story by exploring emotions they may have never thought about.
Boghossian identifies five steps in the Socratic approach:
1) Wonder
2) Hypothesis
3) Questioning
4) Acceptance/rejection of the hypothesis
5) Action
Can you see how easy it is to implement this into your daily lives with your kids? It can be incorporated almost anywhere. It just takes time. You can probably already see how many opportunities you have everyday to sharpen this skill with them and you don’t. Usually because we think we don’t have time, or we are just too busy. When kids ask you a question about something the easiest thing to do is tell them the answer or to Google it. We often do end up on Google, but the conversation starts with the question. Ask them what they think the answer is and why? Do this first, then look up the answer. This will give them the opportunity to see whether their hypothesis was on track or not. Don’t stop there! Keep the conversation going by asking if they agree with the answer. Why or why not? How else could the question be answered. There is nothing more awesome then watching your child figure something out, and see the light bulb go off. It may take more of your time, but it is so worth it to develop that relationship with your child. They see that their questions are valid, and their views are important.
Why Socratic method is important in education?
The Socratic Method gives students the confidence to talk to large groups, allows them to develop the ability to argue their points, and teaches them to think critically. When kids are confident enough to ask questions, they will be able to come out of their shell. I see kids in the traditional settings afraid to answer a question, because it may be wrong. I’ve seen their light for learning dim when they are told the answer is not right. I’ve also seen the child beam when they are recognized for memorizing the right answer, but still don’t have a clue why or what it means.
I’ve also seen my own kids bloom with the development of this skill with this method. They are not afraid to speak publicly. They are not afraid to speak up and get the answers they need. Sometimes it is annoying when they do it back to me, or I just want them to take the answer their given. However, I laugh inside knowing that they are seeking understanding to a concept. They are little humans with big minds that are far more capable then what we give them credit for. Your children are the next generation of great innovators, it all starts with innovative thinking.