Assessment
Review students’ notes explaining the evidence they used when deciding if a person was an expert and if his/her opinion was accurate. Lead a full class discussion using the questions provided below. Guide students to articulate their thought processes as they were working. Allow students to correct answers as needed but ask them to explain their mistakes.
Discussion Questions
Independent Scenario 1
Lead a short class discussion that covers the following points:
- What is the role of head of Artists and Repertoire in a record company?
- What about Mr. Rowe’s time with Decca indicates he was an expert in his field?
- Was he right about the potential the Beatles had for success? Why or why not?
- Does being an expert mean a person never makes a mistake when giving an opinion? Why or why not?
Important takeaway from this discussion: A person who has expertise in a specific field is less likely to make mistakes than non-experts. However, experts can make mistakes.
Independent Scenario 2
Lead a short class discussion that covers the following points:
- Was Mr. Thompson an expert in one or more fields? Why or why not?
- Does expertise in one field make a person an expert in all fields? Why or why not?
- Is advice from a person who is appealing to you a good foundation for making financial decisions? Why or why not?
Important takeaway from this discussion: Expertise in one field (e.g., acting) does not make a person an expert in all fields.
Independent Scenario 3
Lead a short class discussion that covers the following points:
- What education and experience did Mrs. Johnson have?
- Did her education and experience qualify her as an expert in the mathematics of orbital flight? Why or why not?
- Was her opinion correct when she confirmed the trajectory analysis for John Glenn’s flight? Why or why not?
Important takeaway from this discussion: When bonafide experts are asked for an opinion about something related to their fields of study, they will analyze the facts and most likely offer accurate information.
Answer Key – Student Handout:
Group Scenario: Yes, Galileo was an expert in mathematics and astronomy and his opinion about the structure of the universe was correct.
Independent Scenario 1: Yes, Dick Rowe was an expert in identifying new bands that were likely to succeed but his opinion about the Beatles was wrong.
Independent Scenario 2: Fred Thompson areas of expertise were acting and politics, not personal finance. He was not qualified to express an expert opinion about reverse mortgages.
Independent Scenario 3: Yes, Katherine Johnson was an expert in trajectory analysis for orbital flight and her opinion that the computers had been correctly programmed to control the trajectory of John Glenn’s space capsule was correct.