Business, Economics and Law 'Phone a Friend' Task

At the start of semester, students are asked to find a partner in the class - someone they don't know, or don't know very well. They are asked to exchange phone numbers. Then 3-4 times a semester, students must complete a 'phone a friend' task. In those weeks, prior to class, students are required to 'phone their (new) friend' and discuss the tutorial question for that week. The tutorial question is a discussion question that requires students to have done the readings for that week, reflected on them, and turned their mind to a novel question (eg. How effective is the law in dealing with x problem? What changes to the law would you recommend to achieve purpose y?). Both students must take written notes of the discussion and bring them to class that week. If they have completed the task to my satisfaction (ie. I am convinced the discussion occurred and that they adequately addressed the question) they receive one mark. I don't have high expectations of the notes - they just provide me with evidence that the discussion occurred. I ask students to practice introducing themselves every time they have a phone conversation with their 'friend'. I require them to introduce themselves and inform the other people why they are calling: 'Hello, my name is X, and I am calling to discuss Y. Do you have a moment to talk now?'. This way, I hope that this 'speech' rolls off their tongue, so when they are required to phone a client, it is not quite so daunting.