Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for distance learning courses has remained strong, with many students enrolling in at least one distance learning course per term, most often in an asynchronous format. At the same time, employers increasingly emphasize the importance of critical thinking skills among college graduates. This workshop addresses both needs by demonstrating how to implement the Socratic Method (SM)—long regarded as the pedagogical archetype for developing critical thinking skills—within online asynchronous threaded discussion boards. Scholarship supports the efficacy of the SM in online courses, particularly when combined with the Community of Inquiry (CoI) pedagogy. However, guidance for faculty on the practical application of these pedagogies remains limited. Accordingly, this interactive workshop is designed for instructors across disciplines—both new to and experienced in online teaching—who seek to promote critical thinking in their online courses. The presenter will illustrate strategies and outcomes from her online Critical Thinking course taught on the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). Workshop teaching/learning strategies will include role-play, discussions, and small group activities. Participants will be able to (a) explain the theoretical foundations of SM and CoI; (b) identify key LMS course design considerations; (c) apply these foundations and considerations to their own online courses; and (d) develop an action plan to teach SM in their own online courses. Participants will also receive a curated reading list and sample materials, including screenshots from the presenter's course.

Authors:
Jacqueline Trimier, College of Lake County, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Jacqueline Trimier is Chair and Professor of Humanities at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL. Her general interests include Continental Philosophy and creative writing. Her current project focuses on best practices in online teaching.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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