Qualities of a Student Expert
Student experts should show a willingness to help others and to clarify and ask questions. Patience and an ability to go through processes step by step are also important.
Surprisingly, high academic achievement is not necessarily a prerequisite. Lower achieving students can find their own niche (often in technology) and gain confidence by showing other students their knowledge:
"While many teachers at first questioned the value
of using students as teachers and wondered how it would affect learning,
teachers soon realized that the benefits of this role shift went far
beyond
saving them time. Teachers saw "slow" students blossom, unpopular
students gain peer approval,
and unmotivated students stay in to work at recess"
Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow Research
Report Number 15
Trading Places: When Teachers Utilize
Student Expertise in Technology-Intensive Classroom
