Jigsaw

The Jigsaw method is a new way of integrating teamwork into education. A topic is assigned to a group, and each student in the group is responsible for a certain aspect of the completed assignment.

Depending on the size of the class, 5 computers should be all that is needed. Usually a project is broken into 5-6 segments. Assuming the subject is broken into 5 parts, one group could use all the computers at one time, or one person from each group could use a computer for an alloted period of time and then give the seat to someone else in their group. It would be a slower process than when everyone has their own computer. It may take more than one day, but it would still work.

The adavantage to this method is that it provides structure for group work. Each person from the group is responsible for one aspect of the project and they need each other to succeed. It ensures that everyone relies on each other; therefore, everyone has to pull their own weight and learn from each other. There are disadvantages to the method: characteristics of the students can make things more challenging. One issue that may arise is a slower student "dropping the ball" for the rest of the group. If this becomes an issue, it is best to use an "expert group" to which students can compare their work. This would give the slower student an example of what is expected and help them complete their task. Other issues may also arise, such as a dominant member of a group trying to do too much, or an exceptionally bright student that loses interest out of boredome. Group work can be problematic, but it also provides certain benefits. As with any educational tool or process, problems will arise, but there is always a way to overcome them.