Socratic Approach to Learning

Ask ; To Learn 

Dare to be naive - Buckminster Fuller

Socratic System of Instruction 

Socrates ( 470-399 B.C.) the Greek philosopher developed a system of instruction  to help students begin to distinguish what they know or understand from what they do not know or understand. This process was centered in a particular style of questioning and this approach to teaching was aimed at generating  critical thinking skills. 

The Dialectical Approach

Also known as the dialectical approach,it was based on a series of  disciplined, deliberately planned dialogue .These questions encouraged  excellent thinking skills.Essentially, the questioner was required to show ignorance of  subject so as to encourage  fruitful dialogue with the student.

The process inevitably rectified wrong concepts and facilitated quick development  of the student's knowledge on the subject. Socrates exploited the fact that people are quick at recognizing contradictions.This helped eliminate incorrect concepts and incomplete ideas during the process of rigorous questioning.

Teacher Asks, Student Answers 

Quite simply the teacher  was only required to pose a series of questions, but no answers.That was the students work. In effect the  students learnt much more through answering and exploring concepts on their own.

Basic Purpose

The  basic purpose behind the questioning was:

1.To trigger deeper thinking.

2.To foster using  these tools in everyday life, and frame and ask profound questions. 

3.This way, systematic and fragmented thinking could be contrasted against each other to reveal voids of comprehension.

4. Digging beneath the surface of ideas.

5.Questions were for systematic, deep, assessment of the plausibility of things.




Over to you my friends.............