There was a time that if we wanted to learn about new things, we'd have to go to our nearest library and borrow a book. These days, students are lucky to have a wealth of information, simply in the palm of their hands.
However, not everything on the internet comes from reliable sources. There are also plenty of websites with old, outdated, or wrong information. Thankfully, Google Socratic can help sift through bad apples and ensure students get the right resources. But, what is Google Socratic?
What Is Google Socratic?
Google Socratic helps connect students to helpful educational resources from all over the web through a mobile phone app for free.
Download: iOS | Android (Free)
Using technology like text-to-speech and photo analysis, Socratic uses artificial intelligence to enhance its search capabilities to help learners understand everything from general information to acquiring in-depth knowledge.
Unlike its main search engine, Socratic puts the focus on academic-related searches, which means its resources are more likely to be reliable and trustworthy. At the time of writing, the app is devoid of unnecessary clutter like ads.
Lastly, Google Socratic also lets you explore a multitude of expert-curated content on standard topics such as biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, geometry, history, and more.
Who Should Use Google Socratic?
Google Socratic is designed for students aged 12+. However, while students and other people within academia are the intended primary users, plenty of other people can make use of Google Socratic's various advantages. For example, with multiple ways to ask questions, Socratic can also be used by learners with special needs to search the web safely.
In addition, journalists, content writers, and other professionals can use Socratic to access reliable sources of information or quickly pick up on relevant topics. Lastly, ordinary people looking to further their understanding of various topics can use Socratic to access its expert-curated guides, videos, and explanations.
How to Use Google Socratic
To use Socratic, download the iOS or Android app and sign in with your Google Account. Next, decide how you would want to ask Socratic for help to wait for it to return with an answer to your query in the best way that it knows how.
For iOS, Socratic requires that you have iOS 12.0 or above. While for Android, you must have L or above installed. As of writing, Socratic is only available for mobile use.
To make use of the full capabilities of Socratic, you will also need to enable access to your camera and microphone. However, the minimum you will need is to be able to type.
How to Ask a Question on Google Socratic
There are three ways that you can ask Socratic: take a photo, use your voice, and type in your question. Here's how to do each one.
How to Ask a Question on Google Socratic by Taking a Photo
If you need help to solve a difficult problem or type, such as math problems, you can take a photo instead. To ask Socratic a question by taking a photo, simply tap the photo camera button and snap a photo of it.
Then, crop the image by dragging the corners of the photo only to include what you would like answered. Next, tap Go.
Socratic will then convert your photo into symbols and text. Afterward, it analyzes the photo and presents the most relevant sources to help you solve the problem or understand the topic better.
How to Ask a Question on Google Socratic Using Your Voice
When your hands are full because of driving, cooking, or carrying things, you can still ask questions on Socratic using your voice. To achieve this, open the Socratic app and press the mic button.
Next, speak your question into your microphone. Once you have stopped talking, Socratic will turn your voice to text and analyze it accordingly. Then, it will present the most relevant resources that it determines.
How to Ask a Question on Google Socratic by Typing a Question
If you are in a crowded room where you can't talk or don't have good lighting to take a photo, you can opt to type your question into Socratic instead.
Open your Socratic app and select the search button. Then, use the keyboard to type your question and tap search on the keyboard. Then, wait for it Socratic to return with resources to answer your question.
How Does Google Socratic Help You?
After inputting your question, Google Socratic helps you by returning with various educational resources found online. In general, it presents six types of results: top match, Q&A, explainers, example problems, related videos, and general search results.
Depending on your question, Socratic will return with results that best match how to solve it. Socratic also highlights your key phrases that match the wording of your question.
How to Use Google Socratic to Browse Topics
For the intellectually curious, you can use Google Socratic to browse a multitude of generic topics. Instead of asking a question, simply scroll down to see the subjects that you can explore.
Once you have decided on a primary category to explore, select it to reveal a list of related topics. Next, tap any topic to open explainers, which will further elaborate on it.
Get Unstuck With Google Socratic
With online schooling increasingly becoming the norm, Google Socratic is like an encyclopedia for everything in the palm of your hand. While Google has been around as a search engine for a long time, Socratic helps erase a lot of the visual clutter like ads and irrelevant results.
Aside from this, its app-based approach makes it convenient for learners on the go or even those whose primary access to education is through their phones. In addition, it's great for people revising for exams or working in study groups to quickly refresh on past topics that they have forgotten.
With a focused search experience, Socratic helps build the habit of asking questions in a safe environment. When it comes to schooling, it can be intimidating to ask professors to expound on things at the risk of sounding dumb or stupid. With Socratic, you can learn better and get unstuck easier.
