PROPOSED+FINAL+SCRIPT

HI EVERYONE! HERE'S WHAT I'VE DONE TO DATE TO TIE TOGETHER (I'VE FIGURED OUT HOW TO GET A NEW PAGE!!) PERHAPS IF WE EDIT THIS SCRIPT ACCORDING TO OUR OWN NEEDS, WE CAN SEE WHERE/HOW IT'S GOING, AND WHERE WE ALL FIT IN? HOPE THIS IS OKAY WITH YOU ALL.

Hi team. Another addition. Hope this is okay. This initial intro activity sets the scene, and ties in with the last activity which is designed to track any changes from this first one. It will be at least 5min, I'm not sure what impact that will have on the whole deal. (it also connects think pair share with talk think do), well, here goes.

Think, Pair, Share Think about your answer for 30 seconds Pair up with one other person at your table and discuss it for 1 min. Share your thoughts with the other pair at your table for 1 min. Webexers - you guys are a team, and we shall be your hands and feet!
 * INTRODUCTION - **
 * Tonight we plan to take a philosophical look at the question “What is Learning”. We hope at the end of the session you will be experts on the subject, and have knowledge of the foundations of thinking about this subject. **
 * We will do this through a study of the works of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, who were themselves learners as they developed their thinking on the subject of education. We have consulted with a few experts, who will be along soon to help unravel the mystery of “What is Learning”. We hope you acquire new knowledge, insight and perspective on an intriguing journey to the past. **But before we begin, we need to learn from you - What do you think learning is mostly about? (This is the NAPLAN version, so your responses have to fit our categories.) //**Is learning mostly about A: Talking B: Thinking or C: Doing**//

Each of you have a postit note. Please write on the postit note what you thought learning is mostly about (talking / thinking / doing) and place it on the white board up here. (music on while people are putting up their responses - webexers helped by the team)

Dean: Well - an interesting response by the look of our graph over here. I think it is time to get our experts out here and see what they have to say.

(//She takes a big breath of incense)// Ohhhhhhh I see…..I see……. I see a report coming in from the field! A breaking story from our courts. You will remember when this reporter informed you that the philosopher, Socrates was indeed the wisest man in the world. Sensationally he has been charged with the corruption of the minds. We take you to our reporter in the field who is covering the trial now in progress: (//File image of Athenian youth – read image on board//): Yeah, I’ve listened to this teacher Socrates, he didn’t tell us anything! Teachers are supposed to tell us stuff, give us the answers! All he did was ask questions! We had to do all the thinking! // At conclusion of discussion, MUSIC ON again (to get group settled, and focus back) // // FADES out as Oracle begins to speak. //
 * // Music on. Enter presenters. – The Oracle of Delphi, an Athenian Youth, a reporter, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates //****// . //**
 * // This is the section on SOCRATES //**
 * // Music fades out as everyone is in place. //**
 * Oracle of Delphi: ** Good Evening welcome to the program that aims to give you all the news that's fit to chisel - even before it’s happened - ‘//The Delphic Oracle’// I’m your host the Oracle of Delphi.
 * Reporter ** : Today we are awaiting the verdict of the trial of controversial teacher Socrates. Socrates has steered our youthful Athenian men from innocent boys to corrupt their minds with his so-called teachings. (//Background slide of Socratic history//)
 * Reporter ** : Teacher Watch were part of an enraptured audience in central Athens when Socrates was teaching recently. See how the story unfolds and indeed, all he does is ask questions.
 * Socrates ** : You are offered a chariot for 5 pieces of silver, even though you know it is worth eight. You know it is not the seller’s to offer. What do you do?
 * Athenian youth ** : I would buy it – what a bargain!
 * Socrates ** : What would you do if you were caught?
 * Athenian youth ** : I’d tell the guards I’d bought it with good money.
 * Socrates ** : What about facing our city officials, when they ask if you knew it was stolen?
 * Athenian youth ** : I’d say I didn’t.
 * Socrates ** : Would that be a lie?
 * Athenian youth ** : Hmm… yes, but I didn’t steal it! I still bought it!
 * Socrates ** : Why would you say that?
 * Athenian youth ** : I’d be afraid of them locking me up and my parents disowning me.
 * Socrates ** : If you could stand back and look at yourself, lying out of fear of being caught and of humiliation for buying a chariot for less than it was worth when you knew it was stolen.
 * Athenian youth ** : Well, I don’t really like the person you painted. Perhaps I wouldn’t buy the chariot after all.
 * Reporter ** : News just in… the verdict for the trial of Socrates has been handed down and he has been found guilty of corrupting Athenian youths and interfering with the religion of the city. He has been sentenced to death by drinking hemlock. That’s all we have time for tonight. Don’t forget to vote in our Teachers’ Watch news poll: Philosophising youths… is this the end of civilisation? Good night.
 * // Music comes on as role play concludes. ?? To stay in character or not. Socrates group lead activity, supported by others. //**
 * Questions **** : as an activity, each table of people can discuss a different Socratic style question about the role play. If we have ten tables, perhaps we can give each question out twice. I would suggest two minutes discussion in their group and one minute to give responses to the whole group. **
 * Oracle of Delphi: ** A terrible tragedy. For further comment we have joining us in the studio a scholar and great supporter of the condemned man Socrates, the author and philosopher Plato.
 * // This starts piece on PLATO. //**
 * Plato:** Thank you Del. It’s a sad day for us all.


 * Oracle of Delphi:** I believe you have written a book about this latest controversy

He was a great man who taught us the value of the Dialectic- that is To solve a problem, we must break it down into a series of questions, the answers to which gradually distill the answer we seek. He was a great teacher and a man of principle However while his pursuit of knowledge was noble it lacked a clear framework. This has been the inspiration for my new book ‘The Republic’ – only 5 drachmas – sold at all good book stalls and markets! While Socrates taught us that the pursuit of knowledge should drive us I want more for my students. I want them to realise that what they learn as they seek answers to their questions is worth a great deal, that ultimately will help them lead good and productive lives. But is has to be more than just the seeking of knowledge - they need to apply a set of objective standards to realise this greater ‘Good’. This is what they will get from ‘The Republic’! It is based on the ‘Theory of Forms’ If you think of the world of thought divided into two entities: one is sovereign over all that is Intelligible and the other over what may been seen or sensed. We will call them the Intelligible and the Visible. Within the ‘Visible’ we find a further division between what we see around us – as the manifestation of entities and their likeness or imagined representation. As our mind perceives, we apply ‘Belief’ in the objects reality and ‘Imagining’ as we view its reflection or shadow. Within the ‘Intelligible’ we also find two divisions. In one we may apply a set of assumptions which go beyond the realm of what we sense. Here we rely on ideas only, beyond the object we have sensed. They may be a set of mathematical ideas that we apply using commonly accepted understandings. For example we apply the rules of geometry to determine relationships that though apply to real, sensed objects are being utilised to create ‘realities’ in the mind which apply here in my diagram to ‘Thinking and Understanding’ The other division is the realm of ‘reason’. It moves beyond the assumptions of what we have sensed and what we understand. It relies on the power of the dialectic to move from idea to idea and create what I have labelled here ‘intelligence or knowledge’. This is the ‘Good’ we should strive to attain. If we consider these divisions as affections occurring in the soul they may be arranged in order as seen here and then applied in proportion as we consider our world and its truths. This may be best understood if we consider for example the concept of ‘Beauty’. (go to Powerpoint animated slide)
 * Plato** : Yes its called The Apology – and it is the true story of Socrates


 * Oracle of Delphi:** Thankyou Plato. Well is 'The Republic' as great as it's author claims? We are joined now by our Film and Book Reviewer Stavros of Alexandria. You've read 'The Republic' what's the verdict?

Did you know that chapter seven has just been made into a movie! I got a special sneak peak at the movie called 'The Republic:The Cave Unmasked'. The movie wasn't as good as the book, they never really are. However it is worth an evening out at your local cinema. It is about people who are living in a “cave” - they represent the "uneducated", not like people like us Oracle. What these cave characters perceive as real material objects are really just shadows of the real thing. When someone gets out of the cave they see the “light”, a.k.a the real world. When they come back to tell others of what they have seen they are ridiculed. Anyway enough of this good looking reviewers comments, heres a sneak peak of the upcoming motion picture starring Hugh Jackman. //Play Cave movie from You Tube- []// Oracle the experts believe that education involves 'breaking those chains and leading a person from the cave into the bright sunshine" They say that this is achieved by involving the student in a dialectical process leading them as far as they are capable.
 * Stavros (Stewart):** Thanks Oracle, you bet it's the best thing since slice bread, I read it over and over about 10 times, I just couldn't put it down! The Republic is one of the most influential works of philosophy and political therory ever, and I believe its Plato's best work to date. Definity the best read of 380 BC.

//Matrix slideshow running in background. media type="custom" key="3531698"// Another movie getting released in the summer touches on the same theme, it's called The Matrix starring a young up and coming actor called Keanau Reeves. Those in the Matrix are the prisoners, Neo (Keanau) is released and he sees the real world. He returns to 'educate' those seeing the 'shadows' the Matrix provides. The movie includes some cool slow motion action scenes never seen before. Heres a short part of this movie and how it relates to 'The Republic'. //Play Matrix movie from You Tube// []

Well Oracle that's two movies you don't want to miss, hopefully our viewers eyes are open to the world of possibillities. This is Starvos reporting direct from inside or outside the cave.

**// At end of Stavros, MUSIC cues in, and then OUT as attention is drawn back to the Oracle. //**
 * // This starts piece on ARISTOTLE. //**
 * Oracle of Delphi: ** I see….I see …I see a cross - live into the Hellenic theatre at Epidaurus, where the great Philosopher Aristotle is currently waiting to watch the entrants in this year’s “Festival of Dionysus”

Aristotle, thanks for agreeing to join us:


 * Aristotle:** Let me think on that……yes I agree, it is good of me to be here
 * Oracle of Delphi: ** Back here at the network, we’ve been looking into some of your predecessors, the great Plato and Socrates, and discussing their insightfulness into the human condition, particularly in the area of thinking. Do you have anything to say about these men who taught you everything you know?

// (turning attention back to Aristotle) // Look, we were just wanting to get your opinion on a couple of burning issues…firstly, we understand you have a group of students back at the Academy who working very hard trying to Classify Knowledge….can you give us an insight into why this is important?
 * Aristotle:** Taught me? Taught me! Clearly, you are not well educated – well that’s of course because you are a woman, and – just like the slaves and children - you lack wisdom for proper organisation of your own life. It’s therefore not possible for you to seek truth and knowledge…..Never mind, dear, I’m sure if you’ll be able to predict the winner of the festival before it’s on…..any hints?
 * Oracle of Delphi: ** // (I see only exile for this Macedonian man…. I see him being charged with impiety, and fleeing Athens to spend his last days in Chalcis. ) //


 * Aristotle:** Really? An insight? Ah well….if you must: One must consider objects and the relative certainty with which one can know those objects. For instance, certain objects (such as in mathematics or logic) permit one to have a knowledge that is true all the time (two plus two always equals four). These types of knowledge are characterized by certainty and precise explanations. Other objects (such as human behaviour) don't permit certain knowledge (if you insult somebody you may make them angry or you may not make them angry). These types of knowledge are characterized by probability and imprecise explanations.
 * Oracle of Delphi: ** Okay..that makes sense. Can you tell the audience then what you mean by “Virtue”. It’s a word you’ve bandied around here in the city for a number of years now, but no-one is sure of what you’re on about:


 * Aristotle:** Virtue, my dear lady is of two kinds : intellectual or moral. INTELLECTUAL virtue has it’s birth and growth in teaching. (I believe you have a few teachers in your viewing audience – hello there! Hope you have read my works – they are bound to provide the best way forward for you). Getting back to Virtue – the other part of the equation is MORAL virtue – now this is something we may have, but if we don’t learn how to use it, and work hard to practise using it, we won’t achieve what is **good** to achieve.


 * Oracle of Delphi: ** Can you give us an example of moral virtue?


 * Aristotle:** Moral virtue can be destroyed by defect or excess – for example our friend was harping on about his wrestling prowess. Now if we take strength as a symbol of moral virtue and apply excess to it – well then we may end up with a pumped-up over-developed man who trains to excess and who pulls a hamstring before his first fight! At the other end of the scale, defect might be his reluctance to train hard, and as a consequence he loses this physical conditioning and is not capable of even entering the ring!!!
 * Oracle of Delphi: ** Ah, I see…that’s much clearer…. Look, the rumour mill has been running rampant around here….. Everyone is saying that you are ….well….shall we say….claiming to be h a p p y … would you like to fill us in?


 * Aristotle: ** Happiness…my dear. It comes from the ultimate intellectual virtue – that is a life of unbroken contemplation of being something divine….. (And I am divine, don’t you think??) Look, to put it plainly – for you are a woman, I understand, it is more about being all that you can, fulfilling your potential. The idea is that by living in a way that reaches your full potential you bloom or flourish and so display the best version of you that you can be. Thus at the practice of virtues (as I described earlier) equate to happiness, in the sense of being all you could be. By virtue I mean the act of  achieving **balance and moderation**. And I do hope the acts here tonight challenge my intellect and spur on my journey**…. (LEIGH : CHANGE THIS BIT TO ACORN AND FOREST)** Happiness, Delphi is the forest…..
 * Oracle of Delphi: ** Finally, before we let you go, can you just give us an insight into your theory of education? I’m “seeing” the audience tonight - and they would love to hear your thoughts on the matter….


 * Aristotle:** Well essentially it’s broken into 8 Theories:

1. The theory of Value – what worth knowing 2. The theory of Knowledge – it’s always about an object 3. The theory of Human Nature – what is a human being and what is the limit of his potential? ……CUTS BACK TO NOTICE ORACLE “UNHAPPY”
 * Oracle of Delphi ** : I Don’t know why I’m unhappy
 * Aristotle ** : The oracle is stumped? Who an see the answer for her…

Aristotle will ask the questions of audience member. “Why is happiness important?”

** Aristotle ** : You look happy now Oracle! ** Oracle of Delphi ** : So I see it now, the IDEA of being able to be happy, makes me happy! ** Aristotle: ** Well I think you have got it there! Learning is the key. … ·  Socrates said learning is about….. · Plato said learning is about…. striving for a greater good applying a framework through the Socratic Method based on a Theory of Forms. · I think learning is about. (CONTINUUM PLACED ON THE WALL – IS LEARNING ABOUT DIALOGUE, EXPERIENCE OR IDEAS. AUDIENCE WILL BE ASKED TO PLACE 3 POST IT MARKERS IN THE PLACES WHERE THEY SEE LEARNING AS MOST APPROPRIATE. Is learning about Dialogue, Experience or Ideas? ONE SHEET, BLUE E.G. = DIALOGUE, ORANGE = EXPERIENCE, YELLOW = IDEAS. DIALOGUE EXPERIENCE IDEAS (least true, most true)  Closing statement : As for the opening. Round off, what we have done, where the resources are, etc. etc.
 * Aristotle ** : No, that’s just what Plato would say! You’ve got it the wrong way around! In order to be happy you must learn about happiness. Some things are an end in themselves. Some things are worth achieving because they are worth achieving in and of themselves. So why are you a seer?
 * 5 whys? **
 * Oracle of Delphi ** : Okay then Aristotle, how can I **__learn__** to be happy?
 * (LEIGH – YOU NEED TO FILL IN – CAN OTHERS HELP WITH A SENTENCE WHICH BEST DESCRIBES LEARNING? **
 * Aristotle and Oracle ** (ASK audience J What do you think learning is about?
 * THE TRUTH ABOUT LEARNING **
 * Aristotle will cut off … and then lead into **
 * // MUSIC ON – GETS GROUP BACK INTO ORDER. //**
 * Oracle of Delphi ** : Well, thank you to all our presenters tonight. We have a lot to think about. I see that this discussion will continue for hundreds of years to come. Will we ever know the answer…..I don’t see it yet….. So over to you, fellow citizens, to continue to question. Thank you and goodnight. **//MUSIC ON AS PLAYERS LEAVE.//**
 * CONCLUSION: **