Jigsaw Method

This weeks blog assignment asks us to consider our thoughts, ideas, and concerns about the Jigsaw Method.

1. How could you use the jigsaw method in your classroom if you had only 5 computers?

I have used the jigsaw method a few years ago, while working in a 6th grade classroom. The complete project was to make a classroom PowerPoint presentation on Central America. The class was then broken into partners, and they were to select from a large list of topics about Central America. Each team then became the expert on their chosen topic, and produced slides depicting what they learned. At the end of the given allotted time, the teacher then compiled all the slides into a PowerPoint. Each Team presented their piece of the presentation to the class. The presentation was shared with the other 6th grade classrooms in the building. The students became the teachers.

2. What could be an advantage of this method?

The advantage that I see from the above example, is that the student becomes very knowledgeable about a certain portion of a topic. They then are able to share what they have learned and pass it on. When done in a combined presentation form, as per mentioned above, the students then learn more in a shorter amount of time and probably more information is covered then the Teacher would have had time to commit to this one topic.

3. What could be a disadvantage?

I could still see certain students playing a larger role. One doing all the work and the other student not pulling his/her weight because they don't care. Or one student could be domineering, and not allow the other student do any of the work or have a say in the process.