Jigsaw

What is Jigsaw?
Jigsaw is a cooperative learning strategy
that enables each student of a “home”
group to specialize in one aspect of a
learning unit. Students meet with
members from other groups who are
assigned the same aspect, and after
mastering the material, return to the
“home” group and teach the material to
their group members.

Just as in a jigsaw puzzle, each piece-each student's part--is essential for the
completion and full understanding of
the final product. If each student's part
is essential, then each student is
essential. That is what makes the
Jigsaw instructional strategy so
effective.

What is its purpose?
• Jigsaw learning allows students to be
introduced to material and yet maintain
a high level of personal responsibility.
• to develop teamwork and cooperative
learning skills within all students.
• it helps develop a depth of knowledge
not possible if the students were to try
and learn all of the material on their
own.

• Finally, because students are required to
present their findings to the home
group, Jigsaw learning will often disclose
a student’s own understanding of a
concept as well as reveal any
misunderstandings.

How can I do it?
• Each student receives a portion of the
materials to be introduced;
• Students leave their "home" groups and
meet in "expert" groups;
• Expert groups discuss the material and
brainstorm ways in which to present their
understandings to the other members of
their “home” group;

• The experts return to their “home”
groups to teach their portion of the
materials and to learn from the other
members of their “home” group.
• Involve the class in a whole-group review
of all the content you expect them to
master on the assessment. Administer an
individual assessment to arrive at
individual grades.

Students will need to evaluate
themselves on how well their group did
in
the
jigsaw
(e.g.,
active
listening, checking each other for
understanding, and encouraging each
other) and set goals for further
interaction.

Assessment & Evaluation
Considerations
Assess students' degree of mastery of all
the material. Reward the groups whose
members all reach the preset criterion of
excellence or give bonus points on their
individual scores if this criteria is met.

What is Cooperative Learning?
Cooperative learning is an instructional
strategy that simultaneously addresses
academic and social skill learning by
students. It is a well-researched
instructional strategy and has been
reported to be highly successful in the
classroom. For a more in depth
explanation of this strategy, follow this
link to the self-guided tutorial.

What is its purpose?
• There is an every increasing need for
interdependence in all levels of our society.
• One way of providing students with a well
defined framework from which to learn
from each other.
• Students work towards fulfilling academic
and social skill goals that are clearly stated.
• It is a team approach where the success of
the group depends upon everyone pulling
his or her weight.

How can I do it?
• Student groups are small, usually consisting
of two to six members.
• Grouping is heterogeneous with respect to
student characteristics.
• Group members share the various roles and
are interdependent in achieving the group
learning goal.
• While the academic task is of primary
importance, students also learn the
importance of maintaining group health and
harmony, and respecting individual views.

How can I adapt it?
Five Basic Elements of Cooperative
Learning
1. Positive Interdependence
2. Face-To-Face Interaction
3. Individual Accountability
4. Social Skills
5. Group Processing

Cooperative learning can take place in a
variety
of
circumstances.
For
example, brainstorming and tutorial
groups, when employed as instructional
strategies, provide opportunities to
develop cooperative learning skills and
attitudes.

Assessment and Evaluation
Considerations
Observing cooperative learning groups in
action allows you to effectively assess
students' work and understanding.
Cooperative learning groups also offer a
unique opportunity for feedback from
peers and for self-reflection.

COOPERATIVE GROUP PROCESSING
Names:_______________________&__________________
Date____/____/19___
Topic of study:_____________________________________
As a team, decide which answer best suits the way your team worked
together and complete the remaining sentences.
1. We finished our task on time, and we did a good job! YES NO
2. We encouraged each other and we cooperated with each other. YES
NO

3. We used quiet voices in our communications.
YES NO

4. We each shared our ideas, then listen and
valued each others ideas. YES NO
5. We did best
at_____________________________________
_______________

6. Next time we could improve at
______________________________________

Jigsaw

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Jigsaw