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Using Socratic Questioning to Promote Critical Thinking Skills Through Asynchronous Discussion Forums in Distance Learning Environments
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of using Socratic questioning to enhance students' critical thinking (CT) skills in asynchronous discussion forums (ADF) in university-level distance learning courses. The research effort empirically examined two coherent subjects: (a) the efficacy of teaching and modeling Socratic questioning for developing students' CT skills in ADF and (b) the persistence of students' CT skills following the teaching and modeling of Socratic questioning in the ADF. The results indicate (a) teaching and modeling of Socratic questioning helped students demonstrate a higher level of CT skills and (b) students maintained their CT skills after exposure to and modeling of Socratic questioning in the ADF.
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Educational research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of Socratic questioning in fostering higher-order thinking skills.
“Educational research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of Socratic questioning in fostering higher order thinking skills.”
From Socratic Mind: Impact of a Novel GenAI-Powered Formative Assessment Tool on Student Learning and Higher-Order Thinking (2026) · cites this paper as Yang et al., 2005
Regular exposure to Socratic dialogue enhances students' analytical and argumentative capacities and promotes deeper exploration of content.
“Regular exposure to Socratic dialogue enhances students' analytical and argumentative capacities and promotes deeper exploration of content (Paul & Elder, 2006 ; Yang et al., 2005 ).”
From Socratic Mind: Impact of a Novel GenAI-Powered Formative Assessment Tool on Student Learning and Higher-Order Thinking (2026) · cites this paper as Yang et al., 2005
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Yang, Y.-T. C., Chuang, Y.-C., Li, L.-Y., & Tseng, S.-S. (2013) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2012.12.012 · Cited by 147
Self-citationAnalyzing temporal patterns of knowledge construction in a role-based online discussion
Wise, A. F., & Chiu, M. M. (2011) · International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning · doi:10.1007/s11412-011-9120-1 · Cited by 142
The Socratic Method in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Narrative Review
Clark, G. I., & Egan, S. J. (2015) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-015-9707-3 · Cited by 87
A Case Study Investigating the Utilization of ChatGPT in Online Discussions
Lin, X., Luterbach, K., Gregory, K. H., & Sconyers, S. E. (2024) · Online Learning · doi:10.24059/olj.v28i2.4407 · Cited by 35
“For instance, incorporating the Socratic questioning model, which includes questions of clarification, assumptions, reasons, and evidence, into teaching can help students demonstrate higher levels of critical thinking (Yang et al., 2005).”
BackgroundLee, J., Hung, J.-T., Yilmaz Soylu, M., Popescu, D., Cui, C. Z., Grigoryan, G., Joyner, D. A., & Harmon, S. W. (2026) · Technology, Knowledge and Learning · doi:10.1007/s10758-026-10007-6 · Cited by 23
Metadata
- Authors
- Yang, Y.-T. C., Newby, T. J., & Bill, R. L.
- Affiliations
- Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
- Venue
- American Journal of Distance Education
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2005-09
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 163-181
- ISSN
- 0892-3647 (ISSN-L)
- 1538-9286
- OpenAlex
- W2061974820
- Cited by
- 296
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 20.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Distance Education (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Education and Critical Thinking Development
- Social Sciences › Education › Online and Blended Learning
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods
- Keywords
- Socratic questioning, critical thinking skills, asynchronous discussion forums, distance education, university students, online discourse
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