Utah's High-Ability Student Initiative Program
From research to best practice for high ability learners in the classroom
The Utah High-Ability Student Initiative Program is:
- funded by the Utah State Legislature
- designed to help all teachers understand the characteristics and needs of high ability students
- focused on providing online Gifted/Talented Endorsements for teachers throughout the state
- interested in assuring that teachers have the collaborative coaching assistance they need to implement best practice in the classroom
- based on the nationally recognized Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Education Program.
Socratic Seminar and Critical Thinking
Famously, Socrates said, “One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing” (Durant 9).” High-caliber thinking ought to be a mainstay of interactive learning for gifted. One method that has stood a 2,000-year test of time comes to us from Socrates. The Socratic seminar provides instructors with a powerful technique for deep thematic understanding for high-ability learners. The instructor chooses a piece of literature (or film, or document, or art . . .) worthy of study. He/she designs five+ penetrating questions on the piece, convenes with prepared students, and deliberates.
The seminar dynamic displays a necessary linkage, a concatenation in the flow of dialogue. Answers will stem from questions, then questions will stem from answers. The next question depends on what preceded. The seminar leader must be an excellent listener. He/she must be able to challenge assumptions, to seek clarity, and to probe tactfully. The leader should have skill at reflective listening. The purpose is to go further into the text than otherwise. The expectation is that all participants will contribute. This leads students to delve to a more profound understanding of the piece at hand. And it’s fun! Participants delight in what they attain.