Purpose

• The purpose of the Socratic method involves more than the simple acquisition of knowledge on any given topic. The chief purpose is to increase a student's overall ability to think critically and analyze new knowledge. She thereby becomes more adept at learning across subject matter.
  
  

Socratic Teachers

• Socratic teachers take on a specifically structured role in the classroom. They plan questions ahead of time to make sure they are more specific than those a beginner might ask. Teachers use specific questioning techniques to encourage deeper thought and critical thinking. A Socratic teacher's method leads to intensive dialogue, joy in learning, curiosity and error. Socratic teachers create an atmosphere in the classroom that is conducive to learning through failure by having students acknowledge any lack of expertise, misinformation or false beliefs when made aware.
  
  

Socratic Classrooms

• Students in a Socratic classroom answer questions in a concise format. The atmosphere supports a focus on learning where students are not afraid to answer in front of classmates. Errors in knowledge are celebrated rather than penalized. Students engage each other as well as the teacher in Socratic dialogue.
  
  

Socratic Questions

• Socratic questions are worded in different ways, depending on the type of information that is being solicited or the type of response sought. Question phrasing may encourage general thought about a subject; stimulate brainstorming; or narrow in on a specific point, problem or argument. Socratic questions clarify the students' knowledge on a subject, investigate assumptions and help the students understand the basis of their reasoning.