Our History

Socratic Brain, a web-based software application, was conceived by Stephen Collins in 2001, as a means of providing students immediate feedback in their Physics homework. Teaching in the one-to-one computing environment at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans, use of the software quickly became part of the classroom. With ongoing, continuous development, the software evolved in response to the needs of students and teacher alike. 

By 2003, access to course material, in-class assessments, and a continuously updated grade book were added. Beginning in 2008, Socratic Brain expanded to a second school, Lusher Charter School. Simultaneously, with exposure to Modeling Instruction in Physics, a variety of dynamically produced graphics were added to diversify the problem database. After positive student reactions to initial trials, the assessment structure was reformed to report student progress by competency in 2011. 

This evolution of the software over more than a decade of classroom use has resulted in a tool that manages several time-intensive processes for teachers, allowing class time to be spent working with smaller groups at a variety of levels.

Michael Dolan became aware of Socratic Brain in early 2014, when some of his consulting clients were implementing inquiry-based learning into their high school Physics program. They were searching for a standards-based assessment and reporting system that would free up more class time for inquiry-based learning. After struggling to find helpful products in the marketplace, Michael found a blog about Socratic Brain. As he explored Socratic Brain's potential with his clients, he became intrigued with the opportunity to make Socratic Brain accessible to teachers and students everywhere.

Michael and Stephen have since teamed to form Socratic Brain, dedicated to helping teachers develop a personalized education experience for each student.