Introduction to Socratic Pedagogy

In this online, self-paced course, you will learn the importance and elements of socratic education throughout 6 modules. The following provides a summary of these modules.

1. Why Socratic Education?

In this module, you will explore how Socratic education can enliven dialogue, foster a culture of learning in the classroom, develop independent thinking, and civil discourse to prepare students for self-governance. You will define and reflect on the roles of civil discourse and viewpoint diversity on an education for self-governance and investigate educational research for the effectiveness of Socratic seminars. In a discussion, you will reflect on examples of discourse in your own civic life. …

2. Building a Conducive Classroom Culture

In this module, you will explore building a classroom culture conducive to inquiry and critical thinking, as well as a space for students to express their thoughts and learning with others. Developing norms and creating student empathy maps will prepare you and your class for for the expectations and successful participation in a Socratic seminar.

3. Selecting Relevant and Appropriate Sources

In this module, you will examine how the selection of relevant and appropriate sources facilitate successful Socratic seminars. You will evaluate various sources for their suitability for a seminar before selecting a source of your own for a potential seminar in your class.

4. Socratic Reasoning

In this module, you will examine how to help students build the essential reasoning and questioning skills necessary for a student driven seminar. You will deconstruct student exemplars, providing feedback and planning instructional steps to help students further develop their skills. Following these activities, you will create an exemplar in preparation for a seminar and reflect on how building reasoning and questioning skills prepare students for self-governance.

5. Assessment for Learning

​In this module, you will review different ways to evaluate student learning in a Socratic seminar. In a discussion session, you will reflect on the purposes of each mode of evaluation. After investigating methods of assessment for pre-, post-, and during the seminar, you will create an assessment plan for a seminar of your own.

6. Socratic Practicum

In this module, you will prepare for and implement a practice seminar with students or colleagues. You will review your role as a facilitator fo the seminar, evaluate the qualities of a successful seminar, and create a plan for implementing a seminar. Following the practice seminar, you will reflect on the seminar to make adjustments and plan for the final Demonstration of Mastery.

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