Facilitate Deep Learning and Student Engagement Through Socratic Questioning

This presentation was developed with my colleague Julie Schrock. It is based on our work on strategies for increasing learner engagement and improving critical thinking skills. This presentation focused on the role of questioning and Socratic dialogue as a supplement to lecture and didactic pedagogical styles. Julie interviewed me about my approach to learning and how I use the 8 Elements of Thought developed by the Critical Thinking Institute to promote reflection, metacognition, and enhance content delivery. The goal of using this approach is to avoid lectures because it results in low engagement and retention of information.

The Socratic method I describe, and Julie and I model during our conversations, keeps the learner actively engaged and increases the ability to recall information. As an active participant in the dialogue, the learner makes connections between existing knowledge and experience and new content, a fundamental principle of Adult Learning Theory. Julie and I delivered multiple versions of this presentation and then were asked by Magna Publications to deliver a synchronous, online version as part of their professional development series. We delivered the presentation to 70+ professionals. The presentation was well received.