The jigsaw technique was developed in 1971 to reduce racial tensions in desegregated schools. It encourages cooperation by assigning each student a part of a topic to become an "expert" in. Students then teach their parts to classmates in "expert groups" before returning to original groups. Benefits include improved learning, attitudes, self-esteem, and achievement. It works best for topics that can be divided into parts where each student teaches others. Potential downsides include some students dominating discussions or not learning all aspects equally.

2. Development
 Developed in 1971 by Professor Elliot Aronson and his class
of graduate students.
 Developed to combat racial tensions in recently
desegregated schools
 It works by encouraging teamwork and collaboration
among students, each student becomes an integral part of
the lesson.
 Students must work together as a team to accomplish a
common goal.
 Most importantly a student cannot succeed without the
help of their group members and classmates.

3. How it Works
 The teacher presents a topic to the class
 The classroom is then divided into small
groups of 5 to 6 students per group
 Each student is responsible for researching a
different part of the topic

4. Example
Thomas Jefferson
Irida will research Jefferson’s early life
Christie will research Jefferson as Governor of
Virginia
Jim Will research Jefferson’s Presidency
Mike will research Jefferson's legacy

5.  To create cooperation among the whole class, each
student will meet with their counterpart from the
other groups in the class; this group is called the
“Expert Group”
 In expert groups students can compare information
and rehearse their presentations
 After meeting in expert groups, the students return to
their original groups and present their part of the
project (Jim will teach his group members about
Jefferson’s presidency)

6. Variations
 Instead of assigning each student with a part to
complete individually; each group will be responsible
for researching a component of a subject matter
 The group will then present their part of the project to
the rest of the class.

7. Jigsaw Pros:
 Efficient way to learn material
 Students have an active role and
are directly engaged with the
material.
 Students must gain a deeper
understanding of the material in
order to teach it.

8. More Jigsaw Pros:
 Each student makes an
important contribution
to the group.
 Encourages discussion,
problem solving, and
learning.
 Encourages cooperation.

9. Jigsaw benefits as documented by Aronson &
Patnoe (1997):
 Improved attitudes toward school.
 Increased self-esteem.
 Improved academic achievement.
 Improved perception of support from peers.
 Lower absenteeism

10. Cons:
 Does not work well for
topics in which students
are expected to know all
components equally well.
 Students accustomed to
competing may take some
time to adjust to this
technique.
 Lower-achieving students
may fail to adequately
convey the information to
the home group.

11. More Cons:
 In expert groups, certain students
may try to dominate.
 Without a group task which
incorporates all of the material,
there is little incentive to learn
from peer teachers.
 To prevent students from
coasting, assign individual work
that incorporates all aspects of
the jigsaw topic.

12. Uses for the Jigsaw Method
 There are several different uses for the Jigsaw method.
 It allows students to help teach themselves and teach
their fellow students.
 Jigsaw helps students gain a better understanding of
material.

13. Uses in Literature
 Groups of students can each given a short story and
each group is given a different character in the story to
analyze.
 Example: One group examines the protagonist and
another the antagonist.
 Debates and Role playing activities are also a beneficial
use of jigsaw.
 Each group gets up and portrays their given character.

14. Uses in Science
 Jigsaw is an effective method to use for teaching
science.
 Field trips are a great way to use Jigsaw.
 Example: Students can be broken up into groups and
each group will be given a different type of rock to
examine.
 Each group will then describe their rock and try to figure
out what time.

15. Uses in Social Studies
 Jigsaw is effective in the History classroom.
 Example: Each group will be assigned a different aspect
of World War II.
 One group gets the European front, another gets the Pacific
front and a third gets the war on the home front.
 The students than can create an overall class discussion and
educate the other groups on their area through discussion.