SOCRATIC DISCUSSION OF TEACHING ON VALUES AND EDUCATION WITH B.ED STUDENTS

The Socratic method of instruction involves a reflective conversation between the teacher and the students. B.Ed first year students were given topic ‘Relevance of human values in education ’from paper-I Foundations of Education in advance.  Students collected materials and went through the topic in detail. 

The staff began the seminar on 17.02.2022 by asking an introductory, open-ended question to the class. Students then carried on the discussion by challenging one another to back up their ideas with textual proof.  Students were encouraged to share the podium with others in a polite manner, but there is no set speaking order.

Students were not required to raise their hands to talk during discussion because it is intended to be spontaneous. The purpose of the inquiry is to elicit the underlying assumptions that each participant bases their claims, arguments, and presumptions on.  The main advantage of using this method in teaching is to allow students to analyse the facts for themselves and draw their own conclusions rather than simply accepting what they are told. Hence, this approach promotes analytical and critical thinking among students.

 

The Socratic discussion foster higher order thinking in students, encourage reflection and critical thinking, and allow them to examine the topic from different points of view in a cooperative and supportive setting.  The discussion ended with the conclusion that value-based education should be prioritised at all levels of education, from elementary school through college since human value is typically recognised as a moral benchmark for human conduct.  It is important to maintain and preserve human values. Human values could be seen as the solution to the world's issues.