Class Socratic method develops thinking
Published: May 8, 2008 at 10:41 PM
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 8 (UPI) -- Classroom "Socratic seminars" used on a regular basis with more and more voices heard develop thinking, Swedish researchers said.
The dissertation by Ann S. Pihlgren at the Stockholm University in Sweden found that preschool children and older students participating in Socratic seminars regularly every other week developed their thinking skills.
Socratic dialogue is a particular way of developing children's, as well as adults', thinking skills through cooperative dialogue in which significant human ideas and values are discussed. In the beginning, the students have difficulty expressing their thoughts, but with time their ability to express themselves and examine ideas critically and logically develops, Pihlgren said.
The study included seven groups of children ages 5 to 16, who were filmed during three years of philosophizing in the classroom.
Pihlgren said as time went on, the teacher dominated less, more students spoke and the students gradually took over the responsibilities of the teacher to promote exploration in the dialogue.
To work with methods connected to the ancient philosopher Socrates may seem out-of-date in a modern school, but that is not the case, Pihlgren stated.
The dissertation can be downloaded as a pdf file at http://www.diva-portal.org/su/theses/abstract.xsql?dbid=7392.
The dissertation by Ann S. Pihlgren at the Stockholm University in Sweden found that preschool children and older students participating in Socratic seminars regularly every other week developed their thinking skills.
Socratic dialogue is a particular way of developing children's, as well as adults', thinking skills through cooperative dialogue in which significant human ideas and values are discussed. In the beginning, the students have difficulty expressing their thoughts, but with time their ability to express themselves and examine ideas critically and logically develops, Pihlgren said.
The study included seven groups of children ages 5 to 16, who were filmed during three years of philosophizing in the classroom.
Pihlgren said as time went on, the teacher dominated less, more students spoke and the students gradually took over the responsibilities of the teacher to promote exploration in the dialogue.
To work with methods connected to the ancient philosopher Socrates may seem out-of-date in a modern school, but that is not the case, Pihlgren stated.
The dissertation can be downloaded as a pdf file at http://www.diva-portal.org/su/theses/abstract.xsql?dbid=7392.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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