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Chapter 1043 min read

Expert Interviews

By Vivek M Agarwal•About the Author

Activity illustration

At a Glance

  • Time: 5-8 minutes
  • Prep: None
  • Group: Pairs
  • Setting: Any classroom
  • Subjects: Universal - review or application
  • Energy: Medium

Purpose

Expert Interviews has students role-play as interviewer and expert. The "expert" must explain a concept while the "interviewer" asks probing questions to deepen understanding. This reverses the typical dynamic—students become the authorities, which builds confidence and reveals gaps in understanding.

How It Works

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. ASSIGN ROLES (15 seconds) - In each pair: one is the Expert, one is the Interviewer.

  2. EXPERT PREPARES (1 minute) - Expert reviews notes on the topic they'll be interviewed about.

  3. INTERVIEW (3-4 minutes) - Interviewer asks questions. Expert answers. Interviewer probes deeper: "Can you give an example?" "Why does that matter?" "How does that connect to...?"

  4. SWITCH ROLES (If time allows, repeat with different topic or same topic from different angle)

  5. DEBRIEF (1 minute) - Reflect: What questions helped you understand better? What was challenging to explain?

What to Say

Setup: "You'll do Expert Interviews. One person is the Expert on [TOPIC], the other is the Interviewer. Expert, you'll explain the concept. Interviewer, your job is to ask good questions that help both of you understand it better."

Expert Prep: "Experts, you have 1 minute to review your notes and prepare to be interviewed."

Interview: "Interviewers, start with: 'Can you explain [TOPIC] to me?' Then ask follow-up questions. Push them to give examples, explain why things happen, make connections. Experts, if you don't know something, say so—we're all learning. Begin."

Debrief: "What questions were most helpful? Experts, what was hardest to explain?"

Why It Works

Role-playing as an expert forces students to organize knowledge and speak authoritatively, building confidence. The interviewer's questions push for elaboration and application, not just recall.

Teacher Tip

Teach interviewing skills first. Model good questions: "Can you give an example?" "Why does that work?" "How would you apply this?" "What would happen if...?" Bad questions: "Is that right?" "Do you know it?"

Variations

For Different Subjects

  • Any Subject: Expert explains process, concept, historical event, theory, strategy.

For Different Settings

  • Online: Works perfectly in breakout room pairs.

Online Adaptation

Tools: Breakout rooms Process: Same protocol in pairs

Troubleshooting

Challenge: Interviewer asks only surface questions. Solution: Require 3 follow-up questions that start with "Why," "How," or "What if."

Extension Ideas

  • Deepen: Record or transcribe interviews. Review for accuracy and depth.

Related Activities: Teacher and Student, Jigsaw