Using Experts as Resources One of the challenges you face as a teacher is to help experts use their time and knowledge as effectively as possible. Teachers should assist experts in establishing the focus for the conversation, and the background information students will need to participate effectively. Remind experts that the purpose of the project is for students to learn to examine ideas critically and to engage in the give and take of discussion. The ABA's site to encourage lawyers to volunteer in public education—www.abanet.org/publiced/volunteer/— has many useful suggestions that will help lawyers, judges and others work well with students. In addition, you may want to help the expert in the following ways: Before the Conversation Schedule a planning session with the expert if possible. Provide the expert with information about the students—what they've been studying, their level of sophistication, how you've tried to prepare them for the conversation. Help the expert use students' names. Students may wear name tags or have table tent signs for their desks. The expert may want to make an observation visit to the class, just to observe the normal class routine. During the observation, encourage him or her to make note of the following. Is there a noticeable clock in the room that will allow all of you to stay on schedule? How many students are there in the class? How will this number impact any interactivity? How does the teacher encourage orderly participation? How does the teacher involve all students? If the expert will be using visuals, will there be a place to display them? Will the expert need audiovisual equipment, such as a VCR, television, screens, etc.? Will the teacher have access to such equipment or will the expert need to provide it? Day of the Conversation Suggest that the expert Arrive early, but not interrupt the class. Be sure to allow for a few minutes to get organized. Be friendly. Consider meeting the students at the door and acknowledging them. Use language students can understand but don't talk down to them. Avoid lecturing. Invite questions and ask questions. The expert should never criticize a student's question. All questions deserve an honest response. If the expert doesn't know the answer, he or she should say so, and agree to locate the answer and get back to them. Be prepared for the unexpected. It is possible to get "off track" because of the interest and curiosity of the students. The expert should encourage students' input and allow a little digression, but move the conversation back to the topic at hand to get back on track. Watch the clock! Schools and students are very sensitive to the clock. Leave all discipline to the teacher. Role of the discussion leader | Determining the conversation topic Keeping discussions going | Finding experts | Using experts as resources Classroom strategies | Setting ground rules for student participation | Closing the conversation