Socratic Seminar Reflection

The Socratic seminar over Brave New World was an enhancing experience that helped me develop my understanding and opinion of the book. I encountered new ideas about Helmholtz. I realized I didn't fully understand his character before the discussion. Because he was an artist in a society that didn't allow full creativity, he was confined and he was one of the few who realized he was so controlled. Through his art, he was able to break the boundaries that society had placed on him. My thought on Huxley's main idea about societies was wrong. I thought he was trying to say society had to be either completely free like the Savage Reserve or strict like the society in Brave New World. When I discussed this concept with my group, I realized that an in between society could exist; our own! I now think Huxley's idea was to show the two different extremes in society as a way to compare the two and show what you must give up in order to obtain one or the other. Preparing for the discussion was the most educational part. Further thinking about the ideas and concepts really helped me go deeper in my understanding.

I did very well in the Socratic seminar. I voiced all my opinions while listening to and considering others ideas. I found it difficult to jump into the conversation because I was worried I would interrupt someone. Everyone was talking so fast, it was hard to get a word in. I enjoyed the natural flow of the conversation. It felt like I just sat down with some of my friends to have a conversation. If i had a do-over I would try to speak up a little bit more. Even though this would still be hard to do without talking over other people. As a communicator, I learned that I am sometimes shy, but never afraid to voice my ideas, even when they are different. I think the Socratic seminar went very smoothly and was helpful to everyone. I would, however, change the rubric the observing students used. Things need to be more specific so people can't let others off easy or be unfairly critical.