How Student Talk Doubles Learning: Making Classrooms More Socratic

What if the key to doubling student learning is simply getting them talking?

In this episode, Daniel Rock and Jason Adair unpack research showing how student discussion can double the rate of learning — and why most classrooms still rely on teacher talk 80% of the time. Together with Ashley Shaw, they explore how teachers can create classrooms that sound more like Socratic seminars and less like lectures.

You’ll hear:

• Why teachers often default to “funneling” questions — and how to ask focusing questions that spark real thinking
• Simple moves to reduce teacher talk and build student ownership
• How turn-and-talks, sentence stems and discussion structures help every student’s voice be heard
• Tips for supporting English learners and shy students during class discussion
• The importance of reflection and metacognition for both teachers and students

By the end, you’ll have practical tools to make your classroom a place where students don’t just listen — they learn by speaking, thinking and questioning like Socrates.

The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.

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