An Analysis of The Flop of The Socratic Seminar from a Personal Perspective

I performed very poorly on this Socratic Seminar for several reasons including not being prepared and the general chaos of the Socratic. Next time I am required to do a Socratic seminar I should make sure that I am prepared, also I should probably take better notes on due dates in general. Although I would like to use my sickness as an excuse for my absent mindedness the truth is I have no one to blame but myself.

I wasn’t prepared on the day of the Socratic because I had probably not paid attention in class when the date was changed. I had brought my books on the the Socratic was supposed to take place ,Thurs and Fri May 12 and 13th. However, when the Socratic did not take place I just pushed it out of my mind and forgot about it. I should have payed attention in class and heard about the changes, or I could have also asked my fellow peers about how the Socratic did not take place. Had I done either of these things I probably would have been prepared for the Socratic and done much better.

I also generally don’t perform well in Socratics at all because of all the chaos while student are trying to make the topic bend their own direction so that they can use the quotes which are required for a 100. The focus of the Socratic in my opinion was too volatile. By the I had gathered my thoughts and had something to say, the topic was already in a completely different spot. The Socratic rubric encourages taking the current topic, relating it to a general central theme, and then focusing that to something in which you can use your quote. Then, another student takes that new theme and relates it to the general theme and so on. The only times I have performed well is when I also followed this “flowchart”, however being unprepared with quotes I found it very difficult to actually discuss my thoughts amidst the chaos.

This Socratic Seminar was a learning experience and a wake up call. I should always be prepared and keep in mind due dates at all times. I also struggled with this issue earlier in the year, having to read tons of pages because I had foolishly procrastinated and forgotten about the due date. Throughout my life in general and also in school I will be more conscious of what is happening around me rather than being indifferent. I will be prepared for my future socratics and review well before the actual Socratic date as to not be caught off guard.