1. Effectively Implement The Jigsaw Classroom As A Collaborative Learning Strategy

2. Jigsaw Teaching Technique Collaborative or Cooperative learning is in vogue among teachers who are striving hard to see all their students excel in their academics. There are a variety of cooperative learning techniques but one of the most popular methods is the Jigsaw Learning technique. Jigsaw, as the name suggests, is a cooperative learning technique where the students are taught in a way as if a jigsaw puzzle is being solved. In this teaching method every student is given equal importance and responsibility in a group activity. Each student is responsible to complete a portion of the project in order to understand the entire lesson properly. This is a three decade old teaching technique and has been proven to be an efficient technique. Here is an example of what exactly the technique looks like when implemented in real time. The students present in a science class are divided into small groups of three each. Now, the complete lesson on gases is divided into three parts and each student in a group is assigned to study a part. For instance, Nick is asked to study what are gases, Sarah is asked to pen down the detailed characteristics of gases, Obuya is asked to name some gases. Thus, all the members of different groups are assigned to study different parts of a lesson. Once they complete their study, they return back to their Jigsaw group and p[resent a comprehensive report of their parts. The students in a jigsaw group need to concentrate and listen carefully as to what each group member has to say. Thus, by listening in parts they get a hang of what the entire lesson consists of. The best thing is that none of the students have the chance of getting hold of the entire lesson until and unless they listen carefully to what the team members have to say. Another aspect of this technique is that the students do not immediately return to their jigsaw group and instead need to communicate with classmates who have been handed over with the same assignment. Thus, they get the chance to get a comprehensive understanding of the subject they have assigned to research. In jigsaw learning techniques this group that discusses with the same topic is known as the Expert group. Expert group discussion is very helpful in clearing all the doubts that a student may have regarding their research and also lends them with an opportunity to learn what they might have missed out during their own research. Now, after every student is ready with their part of the assignment, they can come back to their jigsaw group. Thus, once the experts return to their groups, they start to present their research and study in front of the other group members. All the members in a group get to learn about the different parts that constitute the entire chapter. Thus, every student of a group gets the chance to present their study and teach the entire group on their area of expertise. After the discussion gets over, students are individually tested on the basis of their understanding about the entire topic. So all the students are tested to learn what they have understood about gases. Now, people often have doubts regarding the efficacy of the jigsaw teaching method and these can be cleared only when they learn about the special benefits that this teaching technique offers.

5. r e) Now, I formed expert groups that consisted of the students who have been handed the same segment of the lesson. The students were provided with ample time to discuss the topics and the primary things that constitute the topic. f) Now I brought back the experts into their jigsaw group. g) It was now time to bring the experts into interaction mode with each other. Here the experts presented their topics in front of the group. It kept on constantly encouraging the students into asking questions on the topic so that there were no doubts in their minds. h) I also moved from one group to another noting down the activities for both the groups as well as the individual students. I tried to ensure that no student was too dominant to stop the other students from getting a fair chance to present their topics as well as answer the queries popped up by the group members. Even if there is a leader, he/she was instructed how to properly intervene the discussion. I) After the discussion comes to an end, every student was asked to answer a few questions that had been specifically designed to cover the entire lesson. The students were made to realize that these discussions were not for fun only and that I meant business. Prime Challenge in Jigsaw Implementation I started to implement the Jigsaw technique and started to frame new strategies to overcome the challenges like the one I discussed above. Tackling the dominating student was a tricky issue as I did not want these students to lose the fervor of attending the classes. It has been often observed that when the natural instincts of a student are curbed, they tend to lose interest in the class – this was something that I never wanted. I also did not want the other students of the group lose interest because of one over-enthusiastic student. Thus, implementing the above strategy seemed to be the most prudent decision. My challenges did not get restricted to the one that is mentioned above and it was my responsibility find out a proper solution without disturbing the jigsaw classroom setting. At times the challenges were very unconventional that left me perplexed but one thing I always practiced was to note down all the group activities meticulously - the solution for the same too lies there only.

6. Conclusion Prior to the implementation of the Jigsaw learning technique, I used to feel that I have already used the cooperative learning as I have often divided the students of my class into small groups. To my surprise I found that only instructing the students in the group to cooperate and share their lessons was not enough – there were always a few who never really showed any interest in getting involved in the discussions. On the other hand, collaborative learning or cooperative learning techniques like Jigsaw helped in growing interest among the students who never really showed any interest to even attend the classes regularly. If we are looking at a structured and effective learning technique then Jigsaw is definitely winner hands down. This learning method allowed the students of my class to not only be a part of the group but also participate actively in all the group activities. The participation of the students is not enough and the students are evaluated or graded on their individual participation as well as group activity. So I feel that this is one learning method that would go a long way in instilling the interest and confidence among students.

7. Effectively Implement The Jigsaw Classroom As A Collaborative Learning Strategy THE END