Question #8852c

1 Answer
May 31, 2014

How? You get them to build on their existing knowledge.

It's called the Socratic Method! The art is asking guiding questions which help someone to reach a new understanding by themselves by building on their existing knowledge, or using their experience in other situations to help unlock a new idea that moves them forward in their understanding.

If the person you are helping can't answer your question, then you break it down into smaller simpler questions until you get to ones they can answer. And use a sequence of these to help them construct the answer you were looking for them to give. In this way, learning comes as a series of guided realisations rather than 'being told' - and has a much better chance of being retained.