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Teaching Background
Summary
The National Paideia Center, which has developed extensive materials on
using seminars in classrooms, defines a Socratic seminar as a ‘collaborative,
intellectual dialogue facilitated with open-ended questions about a text.’...
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106
Teaching Background
Summary
The National Paideia Center, which has developed extensive materials on
using seminars in classrooms, defines a Socratic seminar as a ‘collaborative,
intellectual dialogue facilitated with open-ended questions about a text.’
Student Handouts: Open-Ended Questions and/or Critical Reasoning
Analysis Sheet, Discussion Partner Evaluation
Purpose
The purpose of a Socratic Seminar is to achieve a deeper understanding about
the ideas and values in a text. In the Seminar, participants systematically
question and examine issues and principles related to a particular content, and
articulate different points-of-view. The group conversation assists participants in
constructing meaning through disciplined analysis, interpretation, listening, and
participation.
Background
In a Socratic Seminar, the participants carry the burden of responsibility for the
quality of the discussion. Good discussions occur when participants study the
text closely in advance, listen active
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