Socratic(苏格拉底式) seminar(研究会) student behavior checklist.

IN SEMINAR WE –

Ask questions about what we read, hear, and see.

Are courteous (有礼貌的，谦恭的) to one another.

Pause and think before we answer.

Give our opinions and tell them clearly.

Make judgments and defend them.

Tell how we solved a problem or arrived at an answer

Find examples to back up what we say.

Give reasons from the text to explain our answers.

Listen to others tell their ideas.

Are critical of others’ opinions

Ask for help if we do not understand

Offer help to our classmates when they do not understand.

Use more that one idea at a time

Keep our minds open to opinions different from our own.

Make predictions; project what might happen.

Search for connections

Are willing to change our opinions with the addition of more information or for compelling reasons.

A GOOD SEMINAR PARTICIPANT…

1. is neither too impulsive(冲动的) nor overly hesitant(吞吞吐吐的) in responding. Try to ask questions of a speaker or a text, rather than answering only; try to verbalize (描述) those ideas that might be helpful even if they seem stupid and unformed.

2. check periodically (定时性的) on the purpose and direction of the talk. Don’t be embarrassed to nicely ask: What is our topic or question here? Where are we heading with this line of inquiry (质询)？

3. Allows people to be heard—— especially if they are struggling to make sense of something. Asking clarifying (澄清，阐明) questions of that person’s point (see below) is an appropriate next step.

4. is a active listener, able to summarize, paraphrase (解释) before passing judgment on the argument of another speaker.

5. spread out the discussion, looking for ways to bring in other people and other perspectives.

6. is considerate. Look at the person speaking. Look ate the person who made the point you are responding to. Interrupt only when it seems essential for the class’s benefit.

7. Criticizes a point thoughtfully. Ask about the assumptions (设想) and logic, refer to the text for seeming counter- examples, etc. Avoid personal attacks against the author, speaker, etc.

8. make room for productive silence. Don’t be embarrassed by silence: use it and reflect on it.

9. recognize that we are all scholars (even the seminar facilitator) with responsibility for the seminar’s direction and challenging thoughts.

10. is well prepared. Bring book, notebook, and pen. Bring three or four written questions that, if answered, would help you understand the reading better.

Suggestions for marking a reading.