Socratic Circles and Backchanneling v.1.0

My classes have gained experience in the use of Socratic Circles this year. The basic formula for that activity is one of the following:

students first read a passage critically and then form two concentric circles. First, the inner circle examines and discusses the text and the second circle comments on the quality of the dialogue. Then, the two circles switch places and roles, and the process is repeated with the new ideas from a new circle. The outer circle is required to remain quiet while the inner circle reacts and dialogues, and conversely, the inner circle must listen quietly to the outer circle’s evaluation of their conversation.

One new feature we are experimenting with is the use of backchanneling. One backchanneling that's been a part of this experimentation is Today's Meet. Today's Meet gives their own basic definition of  backchanneling as:

The backchannel is everything going on in the room that isn't coming from the presenter.

The backchannel is where people ask each other questions, pass notes, get distracted, and give you the most immediate feedback you'll ever get.

The procedure is now altered to one of:

1. Group the class into two circles.
2. The Inner Circle speaks first using Socratic questioning methods.
3. The Outer Circle backchannels using Today's Meet while the Inner Circle discusses.
4. Time is called and the transcript of the backchannel is turned into a word cloud for analysis.
5. The Inner Circle's work is evaluated while new topics are generated from the evaluation and word cloud.
6. The circles switch and the new circles have their respective discussions and backchannel sessions.

So here is an example of Socratic Circles at work with students discussing the first part of "The Odyssey".

 

Here is the transcript of the backchannel from that session. Below is the word cloud generated from the backchannel session:

 

"Telemachia"
Click on the link above to see this word cloud at WordItOut. You may also view it on this website if you enable JavaScript (see your web browser settings).

Word cloud made with WordItOut

Socratic Circles - First Draft

Here are some of the highlights from my Honors English 9 sections during their first Socratic Circles discussions. The first time out of the gate is always difficult; will anyone speak, will the format seem too strange, etc. That was not the case with these discussions. While there was some ebb and flow it was as promising a beginning as I can think of. There will need to be some remediation on filming and volume levels, but my advice is use some headphones and take in the good work that these students are doing. 

Download now or watch on posterous

SocraticCircle091010.mov (52724 KB)

The Upside-down Syllabus Pt. 2

Yesterday's work was aimed at creating some "free write" beginnings for the class syllabus, but instead resulted in an interesting social experiment on anonymity, human behavior, and Google Docs. Yes, it will be the subject of a future post once the video is edited...

For now the YouTube video below will be the starter text used in conjunction with classwork thus far in the first Socratic Circle Discussion being held Friday. Enjoy.