The Jigsaw Method of Classroom Instruction

The jigsaw method is a means of instruction that promotes cooperative learning in small groups. Cooperative meaning that each student plays a vital role in the learning process and that all students are needed for everyone to get a good grade.
The jigsaw method can be used in almost every classroom situation. If a classroom had only five computers, a way that a teacher could use the jigsaw method is to have one member from each of the groups working at the computer at a time. Essentially, the group of students at the computers would comprise the "expert" group for whatever topic the group was given. These students at the computers could be given a list of websites from which they would have to pull facts about the given topic. Then this "expert" group would meet together and discuss their findings just like they would normally do.
An advantage to this method is that the part of the way it works makes every student needed. An example was given in the reading where one student didn't like another student and therefore tuned out him/her. This doesn't work with the jigsaw method because every student has a different piece of the metaphorical puzzle and each piece is equally important. It would be impossible for a student to do well on the test given if he/she didn't have all of the pieces of the puzzle.
A disadvantage to the jigsaw method is that the group may become dominated by one student who is competitive and wants to monopolize conversation. The method does not really permit this since each student is a valuable resource for the rest of the group on their given subject. Another disadvantage could be students who refuse to work as a group because they don't like another person that is in their group. This can be solved with a quick trip to an administrator's office.