What?

Socratic dialogue is an instructional technique where the teacher facilitates student-led discussions, encouraging critical thinking, questioning, and reflection, to promote deep understanding and active engagement in classroom learning.

How?

Step 1. Create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where students feel safe to express their thoughts and opinions. Establish clear guidelines, such as listening attentively, using evidence-based arguments, and avoiding personal attacks.

Step 2. Pose open-ended questions that prompt critical thinking and encourage multiple perspectives. Avoid closed-ended questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" and instead begin questions with “what” or “how.”

Step 3. Encourage all students to actively participate. Create opportunities for them to respond to each other's ideas, challenge assumptions, and debate. Allow students to build on each other's contributions and ask follow-up questions to deepen their understanding.

Why?

Benefits of Socratic Dialogue:

• deepens topic understanding

• improves critical thinking

• develops critical listening and questioning skills

• fosters collaboration and communication

• creates classroom community

Theory Score:

Behaviourism ★

Cognitivism ★

Constructivism ★★

Social-Constructivism ★★★★★

Connectivism ★