ABCTE Professional Teaching Knowledge Practice Exam

Which instructional method can diverge significantly from the main topic and can be time-consuming?

1. Lecture

2. Discovery Learning

3. Socratic seminar

4. Group discussions

The correct answer is: Socratic seminar

A Socratic seminar is characterized by its focus on dialogue and exploration of ideas, often leading participants to engage deeply with various perspectives and insights related to the main topic. This method encourages critical thinking and allows students to voice their thoughts, ask questions, and refine their understanding through discussion. However, because the nature of a Socratic seminar is to explore different viewpoints, it can sometimes lead participants to diverge from the main topic as new ideas emerge and discussions evolve. This organic flow can be enriching but also results in additional time spent exploring tangential concepts or ideas that stem from the original topic. Thus, while it fosters creativity and critical engagement, it can be less focused and more time-consuming compared to other instructional methods.