Claudia Chaufan and Rubina Kharel
We share our experience with a cooperative, active-learning approach -- the jigsaw classroom, as applied in 2 courses (2000 and 4000 levels), with an enrollment of 50 students each. In the jigsaw classroom learners are organized into groups where members have different yet complementary tasks. Members prepare for these tasks as part of (reorganized) "expert" groups in which members work on the material prepared at home that they later peer teach to members of their “jigsaw” groups. The jigsaw classroom was developed as a way to increase learner engagement, minimize passive activities (e.g., lecture), promote individual and collective accountability for learning, and foster cooperation rather than competition among learners. This approach enhances learning outcomes and increases the pleasure of learning. Students from the course will join the instructor to describe their experience with the jigsaw classroom. Time will be dedicated to discussing the use of this technique with the audience.
