The Jigsaw Method: Definition, History, and Characteristics
The Jigsaw Method is an instructional strategy in which students are grouped together to work collaboratively on a task. This method was first developed by Elliot Aronson and his colleagues in the 1970s and is now widely used in classrooms and educational settings around the world. The goal of the Jigsaw Method is to promote student engagement and collective learning, while also fostering social and emotional development. This article will provide an overview of the Jigsaw Method, including its definition, history, and characteristics.
Definition:
The Jigsaw Method is a cooperative learning technique in which students are organized into groups to work together to complete a task. The groups are composed of individuals with varying levels of knowledge and expertise on the subject. Each student is assigned a “piece” of the task to complete, and then the group works together to put the pieces together to form a complete understanding of the topic.
History:
The Jigsaw Method was first developed by social psychologist Elliot Aronson and his colleagues in the 1970s. Aronson was interested in the effects of cooperative learning on student achievement and motivation. He found that when students worked together to complete a task, they were more likely to achieve better results than when they worked alone. This finding led to the development of the Jigsaw Method as an instruction strategy.
Characteristics:
The Jigsaw Method has several key characteristics that make it an effective teaching strategy. First, it involves the active participation of all students in the group. Each student is assigned a “piece” of the task to complete and is responsible for teaching the rest of the group about their piece. This encourages students to take ownership of their learning and encourages collaboration between the members of the group. Additionally, the Jigsaw Method promotes social and emotional development by fostering an environment of mutual respect and cooperation.
Conclusion:
The Jigsaw Method is an effective instructional strategy that encourages student engagement and collective learning. It promotes social and emotional development and encourages collaboration between students. The Jigsaw Method is a valuable tool for teachers and educators to use in their classrooms to maximize student learning.
References
Aronson, E., Stephan, C., Sikes, J., Blaney, N., & Snapp, M. (1978). The Jigsaw Classroom. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Johnson, D., & Johnson, R. (1995). Learning Together and Alone: Cooperative, Competitive, and Individualistic Learning (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Johnson, D. W., Johnson, R. T., & Holubec, E. J. (1998). Cooperative Learning in the Classroom (2nd ed.). Edina, MN: Interaction Book Company.
Slavin, R. E. (1995). Cooperative Learning: Theory, Research, and Practice (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.