The CL principle of maximum peer interactions focuses on enhancing peer interactions in two ways. First, we want more peer interactions. Second, we hope for interactions involving thinking skills instead of rote repetition (e.g., drills). Friendly Spy enhances peer interactions in both these ways and can be used in many classroom activities that involve group work.

In Friendly Spy, after groups have been working for a while on a task, one student per group is chosen randomly to visit another group to “spy’ on them, that is, to obtain ideas from the group they visit to improve their own group’s work. The spies are friendly because they are not only taking ideas but also providing suggestions to the groups they are visiting. All the groups in the class want each other to do well, which corresponds with the CL principle of positive interdependence. Thus, the groups being “spied on” are glad other groups can learn from them. The steps below exemplify how Friendly Spy could be used with the CL technique Gallery Tour. The four steps are described below.

Step 1: The class divides itself into groups. The groups all work on the same task or a related task. In this case, all the groups are preparing a poster.

Step 2: After the groups have had some time to work on their task, but before they have finished, one student per group is chosen randomly to be the Friendly Spy. Such random selection of the spies fits the CL principles of individual accountability in which everyone does their fair share of work and equal opportunity to participate so that everyone has a chance to be active in what the group is doing.

Step 3: The spies each visit a neighboring group. Only one visitor at a time goes to any one group. The groups tell the spy what they are doing, and the spy asks questions and provides suggestions.

Step 4: Before the spies return to their home group, they are thanked by the group whom they visited. Spies report what they learned to their original group. The group discusses whether they wish to make changes based on what their visitor has learned.

The class may wish to do multiple rounds of Friendly Spy, each time with a different spy visiting a different group. For online lessons, visiting can be done in different ways. For instance, spies can go to another group’s breakout room. Also, groups can use email or direct messages to share what they are planning with other groups.