The Socratic method is a powerful teaching technique that shifts the focus from the teacher lecturing to the student thinking.

The teacher does not give answers. Instead, they ask a series of deep, probing questions.

Student: 'I'm stuck.' Teacher: 'Okay, what have you tried so far? What is the goal of this problem?'

Student: 'I don't know.' Teacher: 'What do you know? What does that symbol mean? What was the last topic we learned?'

This method forces the student to activate their own prior knowledge and to articulate their own thought process.

It teaches them how to problem-solve, not just how to follow a procedure.

It can be uncomfortable at first for students who are used to being passive listeners.

The teacher must be patient and skilled at asking questions that guide the student without giving away the answer.

The Socratic method is not about 'testing' the student; it's about helping them construct their own understanding.

It's a shift from 'I'll show you how' to 'Let's figure this out together.' The learning that results is infinitely deeper.