Jigsaw Learning

OVERVIEW:

Jigsaw learning is a widely practiced technique that is similar to group-to-group exchange with one important difference: every single student teaches something. It is an exciting alternative whenever there is material to be learned that can be segmented or chunked and when not one segment must be taught before the others. Each student learns something which, when combined with the material learned by others, forms a coherent body of knowledge or skill.

PROCEDURE:

1. Choose learning material that can be broken into parts. A segment can be as short as one sentence or as long as several pages. Examples:
-a multipoint handout
-a list of definitions
-a group of magazine-length articles or
-other kinds of short readings

2. Count the number of learning segments and the number of students. In an equitable manner, give out different assignments to different groups of students. For example, imagine a class of 12 students. Assume that you can divide learning materials into three segments or
chunks. You might theb be able to form quartets, assigning each group either segment one, two, or three. Then, ask each quartet or study group to read, discuss, and learn the material assigned to them.

3. After the study period, form "jigsaw learning" groups. Such
groups contain a representative of every study group in the class.
In the example just givin, the members of each quartet could count
off 1,2,3 and 4. Then form jigsaw learning groups of students with
the same number. The result will be four trios. In each trio will
be one person who has studied segment 1, one for segment 2, and one
for segment 3.

4. Ask the members of the jigsaw groups to teach each other what
they have learned.

5. Reconvene the full class for review and remaining questions to
ensure accurate understanding.

--Amber Nash