Buzz Groups

Buzz Groups are named after the chatter created by a small group of students engaged in discussions. The groups are normally teams of four to six students that are formed quickly to respond to questions. The questions may be a given topic, a problem, a controversial issue, etc. that could be used for discussion. Each group can respond to one or more questions. All groups can discuss the same or different questions. Discussion is informal, and students do not need to arrive at consensus, but simply exchange ideas.

Buzz groups encourage more efficient discussion. It sets the groundwork to get discussion started. They are most often used when dealing with controversial subjects or difficult questions and problems.

• The buzz word strategy is a good technique for introducing a topic/issue and having students engage in semi-structured conversations about the given topics.
• It allows everyone’s ideas to be expressed and students learn to work in real-life situations where others’ opinions are considered.
• The strategy is ideal for the exploration of topics and the revelation of individual and collective opinion.

1. Teacher asks students to form groups of four to six.
2. Teacher presents the topic/issue and time limit.
3. Teacher explains the signal for discussion to stop by a clap/turning on/off the lights, etc. (as buzz groups tend to be animated and difficult to stop the process).
4. Teacher provides signal for group members to start exchanging ideas in response to the topic/issue.
5. Students give their ideas, suggestions on the topic/issue. They are to listen intently and appreciatively to other group members’ contributions.
6. Teacher to check periodically to see whether groups are still actively engaged and focused on the assigned topic/issue. If off topic, shorten the time limit. If on topic and the time has ended, consider extending the limit for a few minutes.
7. Teacher gives a two minutes warning signal for groups to end their discussions.
8. Teacher signals to class the end of the time-limit.
9. Teacher to request students to return to the whole-class discussion and restate the topic/issue to begin the whole-class discussion.

Depending on the complexity of the problem and the purpose of the discussion, teacher may ask groups’ representatives to summarise their ideas to the whole class, or to write a report for submission to the teacher. The teacher may choose to use technology for this purpose.

Adapted from Barkley,Cross & Major (2005), Buzz Group (nd).

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