Using a Jigsaw Classroom to Engage First-year College Students View Digital Media

Workshop Presentation
Julia Wai-Yin So  

Based on Elliot Aronson’s cooperative learning strategy, the Jigsaw Classroom(1) concept was initially used in elementary schools in the US to combat stereotype, reduce tension and encourage interactions among elementary schoolers. It is now a popular pedagogy used in high schools as well as college classrooms in the US. In this session, participants will experience a simulation of the jigsaw classroom in which they will use the four aspects of a lesson plan--learning outcomes, topics, learning activities/resources, and assessment—as jigsaw puzzles while playing the role of a student in an “expert” group. They will also discuss how to apply the concept to their classroom with first year college students. Not only will they find out how to ensure students complete their reading assignment before attending class, but also to assess students’ understanding of the reading at the end of the class session.