|
Post by Freedom Star on Nov 29, 2006 23:05:45 GMT -5
A Socratic Circle, or a Socratic Seminar, is where a group of people gather around in a circle. A specific topic is introduced and that topic is discussed through question and answer.
For example: Let's take a popular book that many people know, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, authored by C.S. Lewis. Say we'd like to discuss how important a role magic is in this book. The moderator, who literally moderates the discussion, will put out a starter question, like "How does Aslan's magic differ from that of the White Witch's magic?"
The questions will always be open ended. It might be a 'yes' or 'no' question, but then we ask that you expand and explain why you answered 'yes' or 'no', so as to give others some material to bounce off of.
New questions will be introduced when the moderator feels that the last one has been exhausted, or if the discussion isn't moving. With a good socratic seminar the moderator shouldn't have to put out more than one question. The participants may ask questions of their own and turn the discussion any which way they would like.
|
|
|
Post by Freedom Star on Nov 29, 2006 23:09:45 GMT -5
Guidelines- Be nice! If you don't agree with someone's opinion that's ok. Vocalize your disagreement, say why, move on.
- As Socratic Seminar's are, basically, just discussions, there will be a lot of opinions flying around. This means that there is no real right or wrong answer to a question unless there's a factual discrepancy.
- Whoever is moderating the discussion may enter the discussion. This person only has the extra job of facilitating (moderating) the discussion; making sure it's running smoothly, that no one person is ostracized, and that heated debates do not break out.
- No plagiarism. This rule is going to be on almost every single board on this community. It's just too big a thing to say once. It must be repeated often. NO PLAGIARISM. Quoting someone else's opinion, or quoting material from a book properly is not plagiarism.
|
|