Definition: Expert groups are small student-led groups who work together to build efficacy and knowledge around specific skills, so they can be “go to” students around these skills throughout the year. We develop expert groups based on the skills students are learning. 

Brief explanation from Peer Feedback in the Classroom:

Although it may be challenging to master many skills at once, it is feasible to help students develop very specific skills at a particular time, especially when working collaboratively. In this way, teachers can develop “expert groups” or students with an excellent grasp on a specific set of transferrable skills (ones that kids can learn well and share with each other once mastered in any content area). The idea isn’t a new one, it’s done during jigsaws for a single lesson or two where students read a particular part of an article or book and they are expected to share what they learned.

Jigsaws are an effective way of sharing information in a small amount of time since each person or small group is only responsible for one portion of what is needed for the learning. Then the students pool the learning as they share, practicing other skills like listening and asking questions to the experts.

Some tips to ensure successful execution of expert groups:

Read more about them in Peer Feedback in the Classroom

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