Watch the video and listen carefully for students' contributions to the discussion. What do you see? Is this a discussion or a debate? What does the evidence suggest?
Please post your comments or respond via e-mail.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Difference Between Dialogue and Debate
This week we will prepare for our first Socratic Seminar. Some of you are familiar with what a Socratic Seminar is. Here is a video of a Socratic Seminar that took place in my classroom in February 2007, as my scholars joined me in a lively discussion examining the relationship between language and thought and the role both play in the dystopian society of George Orwell's provocative novel, 1984.
Watch the video and listen carefully for students' contributions to the discussion. What do you see? Is this a discussion or a debate? What does the evidence suggest?
Please post your comments or respond via e-mail.
Watch the video and listen carefully for students' contributions to the discussion. What do you see? Is this a discussion or a debate? What does the evidence suggest?
Please post your comments or respond via e-mail.
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From scholar-artist Kamille Perkins:
ReplyDelete"I notice that these students cite from the text to show exactly what they are referring to. The students are not debating but, having a calm discussion on different views of the story. This video shows that a Socratic seminar is not an unorganized debate, but a discussion with many people on a interesting topic.
In a Socratic seminar people respect one another and let each other finish their statement before beginning a new one. I myself would prefer participating in a Socratic seminar over a debate, simple because it is more peaceful and fun for me than a debate."
I have an idea on an activity for class one day. How about instead of having a seminar, how about we actually have a debate on a topic that you chose or maybe one of the fellow students, just to have a taste on what both sides are like.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a terrific idea. I served as the debate coach at Hirsch High School, and I do enjoy the intellectual rigor involved in the debate process. Also, I've engaged students in four-corner debates , which allow for more perspectives than a traditional debate where two teams present their arguments.
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