heterogeneous group
an aggregate of individuals or other elements that are different from one another in a number of significant respects. In a social context, for example, a heterogeneous group might differ in age, socioeconomic background, values, work experience, education, and so on. In an educational context, heterogeneous groups may be entire classes or smaller groups of students of varying ability who work together in a specific area, such as art or reading. Compare homogeneous group.