The jigsaw instructional strategy divides students into home groups, where each member is assigned a different role or task. Students then join expert groups of others with the same role to learn and prepare. They return to their home groups to teach their peers, so that each group benefits from members sharing their specialized knowledge and the full issue can be explored collaboratively.

1. Jigsaw Instructional
Strategy
A visual representation

2. Divide class into groups of 4.
These are students’ home groups.

3. Each member (colour) of the home
group has a different role or task.

4. Each member in the home group is
also a member of an EXPERT
GROUP. Each expert group is
comprised of members with the
common role or task from the
home groups.

5. Expert groups meet to learn and
solidify the knowledge particular
to their specific roles or tasks.

6. Expert group members return home.
Each home member presents his/her
role or task information to group
members.

7. In home groups, students then
report or present on the issue –
each group benefitting from
compiled expertise and focused
experience.

8. Using jigsaw as an instructional
strategy promotes peer teaching as
well as group collaboration.