Jigsaw Method
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. (Stolen from website. Text for example only)
Pregame
Come up with a suitable topic. Devise an assignment.
Divide the topic contents into 5-6 discrete chunks. Chunks should be self-contained pieces of content that stand alone independently. Make sure the students have the required background knowledge and skills to complete the assignment. These will be given to students in Step 3.
Students will take the exercise seriously if the goals are clear and they understand why the material is important to their success.
Step 1: Describe the assignment to the students
Be sure to let them know the goal(s) by answering the question, “At the end of this lesson you will be know/be able to do…”
Explain the jigsaw process. Remember to let the students know why you are using it (the learning benefits of the method, the contents relationship to what’s important to the student, e.g. how it will help them practice medicine, pass the USMLE, etc.)
Step 1: Divide the students into 5-6 person groups
Step 2: Appoint one student from each group as the leader
Step 3: Give each student a one segment
Step 4: etc
Step 5: etc
Step 6: etc
