What is the Socratic Method?

If you have ever sat in a class where the professor has asked the students a ton of questions, instead of just lecturing you, you have experienced the socratic method. This form of teaching was created by the philosopher, Socrates, and helps students develop critical thinking skills. While it seems as though the professor may be taking the easy way out, this method of teaching actually requires a lot of thought and interaction on the questioner's part. The questioner must first make sure the discussion stays focused on the specific subject. While some deviations can actual facilitate critical thought, for the most part these are just distractions and take away from the actual discussion. Secondly, the questioner must ask questions that stimulate the discussion. If a question is too simple, there will not be much to say on the matter. If it is too complex, students may not know how to answer the question or will lack the confidence to do so. Finally, the questioner will need to make sure as many students are drawn into the discussion as possible. If one student is dominating the discussion, the other students do not necessarily have the opportunity to practice their critical thinking skills. While socratic method can help to develop a students critical analysis, it can also help build a student's confidence in speaking on the subject as well. This is absolutely required in mastering a specific subject.