2. JIGSAW’SStory
The jigsaw classroom is a research-based
cooperative learning technique invented and
developed in the early 1970s by Elliot Aronson
and his students at the University of Texas and
the University of California. Since 1971,
thousands of classrooms have used jigsaw
with great success.
3. What isJIGSAW TeachingMethod?
Students work in small groups to develop knowledge about a
given topic and to formulate effective ways of teaching it to
others. these “expert” groups then break up, and students
move to new “jigsaw” groups, each group consisting of
students who have developed expertise in different subtopics.
Jigsaw is helpful in motivating students to accept
responsibility for learning something well enough to teach it
to their peers. It also gives each student a chance to be in the
spotlight. When students assume the role of teacher, they
lead the discussion, so even students who are reticent to
speak in class must take on leadership roles. This CoLT is also
an efficient strategy for extending the breadth, depth and
scope of learning because students learn and teach multiple
topics simultaneously during the same classs sessions.
4. How JIGSAWWorks ?
1. Divide students into 5 – or 6 – person Jigsaw group
2. Appoint one student from each group as the leader
3. Divide the part’s lesson/topic based on amount of member’s
group
4. Assign each student to learn one segment
5. Give students time to read over their segment at least twice and
become familiar with it
6. Form temporary “expert groups” by having one student from each
jigsaw group join other students assigned to the same segment
7. Bring the students back into their jigsaw groups
8. Ask each student to present her or his segment to the group
9. Float from group to group, observing the process
10. Give a quiz on the material
