Hi,

I agree that going to the source is the best way to understand the Socratic method, but it may be helpful to get some background first to begin the scaffolding process. I just read a  great article by Sophie Haroutunian-Gordon that appeared
in Philosophy Of Education (2003). She says that it is through dialogue
that beliefs and perspectives may change, but points out that we often
forget to focus on listening. Without listening, no dialogue can take
place. She analyzes the way Socrates questions a student and points out
that when one's beliefs are challenged, changes in thinking can occur.
The article, titled Listening - in a Democratic Society, includes a dialogue between Socrates and Theaetetus.



Priscilla Grace Witte

Northern Illinois University

--- On Thu, 7/17/08, Andrea Wilder <andreawilder at comcast.net> wrote:
From: Andrea Wilder <andreawilder at comcast.net>
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2345] Re: Questioning and Discussion Strategies for Practicing Critical Thinking
To: "The Adult Literacy Professional Development Discussion List" <professionaldevelopment at nifl.gov>
Date: Thursday, July 17, 2008, 9:32 PM


Heather,
I agree that one should go as close to the source as possible.  What is one to do when the source materials are  in a language not known to the seeker?  
Andrea
On Jul 17, 2008, at 12:26 PM, Heather Heunermund wrote:
I mean this in a respectful way and I state the following as such: I beg you all, if you truly want to understand Socratic dialogue, you can only go to the source, Plato. Read a Socratic dialogue and let's discuss. Understand the man is fabled to have been Socrates. Again, that's the only true way to understand this concept, to grok it. This virtue is not something that can be "taught."
As part of the "educational community" you simply cannot settle for anything less. Ironically, you yourselves are not acting as critical thinkers by settling for less than this. If you want to truly
 practice what you preach about critical thinking and Socratic Dialogue, the only way to act as a critical thinkers yourselves is through your experience with original source work, and not merely the regurgitations of people's interpretations of the classics of the Western Canon.
To do otherwise is a bastardization of the art form in the strict sense of the word.--Heather
Heather Heunermund, Executive DirectorNew Mexico Coalition for Literacy1-800-233-7587heather at nmcl.org505-982-4095 (fax)3209 Mercantile Ct. Ste. BSanta Fe, NM 87507
On Jul 17, 2008, at 9:21 AM, Taylor, Jackie wrote:
Dear Colleagues,One more note about critical thinking…For those seeking ideas for questioning techniques in practicing critical thinking and for facilitating group discussions:  Socratic QuestioningSocratic questioning is a systematic, probing method of questioning that probes thinking at a deep level. It can be used to explore thought in various directions such as in exploring complex ideas, to open up issues or problems, uncover assumptions, analyze concepts,
 distinguish what’s understood versus what is not, and follow out logical implications: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_questioning  Here are some examples of Socratic questions:http://changingminds.org/techniques/questioning/socratic_questions.htm   On Questioning and Group DiscussionsBecoming a Critically Reflective Teacherhttp://stephenbrookfield.com/pdf_files/BCRT_Wkshp_Pkt.pdfThis workshop resource from Stephen Brookfield contains lots of strategies on facilitating critical reflection and discussion with students, in professional development, in meetings, and in modeling critical thinking.  Best, Jackie  Jackie Taylor, PD List Moderator, jataylor at Utk.edu     ----------------------------------------------------
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