Is Mahalo suitable for using the Socratic method in education?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_method
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M$4 Answers
Here's why:
1) Lack of persistent debate
The Socratic method really relies on debate. Two (or more) people arguing for a specific viewpoint. They don't even have to believe in their viewpoint if they are playing devil's advocate, but they need to make the arguments from that position. It seems to me that most questions don't stimulate this back and forth debate.
Causes of lack of debate:
1a.) Questions have a time limit.
With questions closing it is almost fruitless to pursue a rigorous debate
1b.) Financial motivation
Some people are here for the prizes and points. If the reward is large enough this could encourage a good debate, but in most cases questions are for a few cents making it not worth the time.
2) Opinionated Zealots
Any topic truly worth debating (and many not worth it) will attract the opinionated zealots and the flame wars that accompany them. Religion, politics, the nature of self, the environment, child rearing -- you name it, people have strong opinions.
I have had many spirited debates with people I don't agree with in real life without yelling or rudeness. Online, it almost always ends up badly.
3) You're supposed to answer a specific question
Mahalo is made for answering the specific question asked. In a good debate there will be side roads and tangents which may be more interesting and fulfilling than the original debate. I don't believe that Mahalo's comment threading or points system facilitates these tangents.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$Your link stated that Socratic Method in education is a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas. Here in Mahalo every thing of Socratic Method in education is quite OK except direct oral debating. One type of written debating is continuing here in Mahalo Answers that is submitting asker comments – answer provider comments, comments, comments and more comments. That is interesting. So, Mahalo is a real place of education through answering other peoples questions (along with cash tips M$ with question) and asking any question free. There is also other lot of interesting items, like as below:
• Mahalo How To ( http://www.mahalo.com/category/how-tos );
• Mahalo Stores (http://www.mahalo.com/store/ );
• Mahalo.com ( http://www.mahalo.com/ ).
I think you should also go through the Mahalo Terms of services in which you will find Proprietary Rights, Mahalo Dollars (Form W-8 for international users; Form W-9 for US users), Tips and Refunds on Questions, Tips and Refunds on Direct Questions, Private Questions, Receiving Tips and Payments, Account Management, Mahalo Guide, Mahalo Guru, etc. ( http://www.mahalo.com/terms-of-service ).
You may also know a lot about Privacy Policy of Mahalo from this link
( http://www.mahalo.com/privacy-policy ).
If you are interested to know, “How Mahalo Works”? You may have a look at the following link to understand clearly.
1. Introduction to How Mahalo Works
2. Mahalo Searches
3. Mahalo Guides
4. Mahalo Greenhouse
5. Building Mahalo Search Results
6. Fine-Tuning Mahalo SeRPs
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/mahalo.htm
At last, Mahalo Copying and Pasting Guidelines is very important, so, Pl follow this link: http://www.mahalo.com/mahalo-copying-and-pasting-guidelines
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Thanks for the pointers. I'd be surprised if Socratic questionning would be in breach with Mahalo's terms, and more concerned whether it fits culturally. I guess the biggest difference is that usually, a 'student' asks and a 'teacher' answers. In Socratic questionning, it's the other way.
Thanks for the comment.
The link describes six types of Socratic Questions.
Socratic questioning is at the heart of critical thinking and a number of homework problems draw from R.W. Paul's SIX TYPES of Socratic questions.
Socratic questioning is disciplined questioning that can be used to pursue thought in many directions and for many purposes, including.....
http://www.engin.umich.edu/~CRE/probsolv/strategy/cthinking.htm -
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Is this a rhetorical question?
...
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Excellent points. The Socratic dialogue is subject to quite stringent rules whic requires a trained moderator and a face-to-face session. While a full dialogue will be hard to organise on Mahalo or on any other online medium, maybe the more humble objective of Socratic questionning may be achievable?
I totally disagree with each and every one of your points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y