My Socratic question is this. Are we really creative thinkers on an
individual basis or do we excel as a group?
Throughout history, there are very few people who usher change in a
society or affect people on a global scale.
We call them geniuses, philosophers, savants, or experts. Do we need to create a society of savants? I
don’t think it is possible.
However, I spoke to Professor Pat Munday, he spent a
semester teaching graduate students in China on a Fulbright scholarship award. He mentioned that Chinese students are very
strong in the “drill and kill” aspect, but they’re weak on critical and
creative thinking. They have difficulty
understanding abstract concepts at times.
I think if we want to move to a more creative style of
thinking, then we should teach in a more Socratic method. Answers the questions, respond, then ask
another question. I don’t know if it
will be possible, but what do you think about using the Socratic Method as a
style of teaching?
I'm always interested in topics that raise more questions than those that bed more answers. I think we should be asking the question "Why?" a hell of a lot more than we do - and we should definitely encourage children to pursue a line of questioning that allows them to understand the world in their own way. Sometimes regurgitation can be a hindrance, especially when children (and some adults) cannot apply their newfound knowledge to the real world. I think that rote memorization is a superficial learning tool, and you make a good point with the re-introduction of the Socratic method.
ReplyDeleteVery good point.... What if NOT EVERYONE is capable of creative thinking?? What if it is innate and unchangeable? Would trying to teach it in schools be a complete waste of time? If this is true, those with the potential to think creatively would do it anyways and those without the potential never could.
ReplyDeleteAsking more and more questions could work for some people, but that goes with every teaching method. Some things aren't going to work for everybody. I feel if we keep asking questions then the more confusing our critical thinking would be.
ReplyDeleteHypothesis elimination is a great way to critically think. One may question himself and another may learn from the other's self analyzing from asking another question. If the Socratic method was used in the educational system from a younger age, then adults would probably be better at critical/ scientific thinking.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point, as Asian school children primarily learn by rote. This is basically the epitome of "drill and kill." Certainly they have high test scores--they are pros at memorization, after all--but there are very high stakes surrounding these tests, and "drill and kill" seems to be paired with "memorize or die." They appear to be colossi of educational clout, however they have pretty low flexibility (there is only ever one right answer) and original thought is stifled, as you said. Rote learning also kills the purpose of teaching, because memorization is the only thing being taught. My cousin taught English in Thailand last year, and he was surprised by the teaching styles (or lack thereof) he noticed in the Thai teachers; he saw very little interaction/involvement between teachers and students, as most teachers just stood at the front of the class and read the lessons into a microphone.
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