Introduction

The Jigsaw Activity is designed as a group activity in which small groups of students (Expert Groups) learn intensively about a particular topic, then split into different groups (Jigsaw Groups) that each contain one member of each original Expert Group.

Note: Links will open in a new browser window.

This Jigsaw Activity is based on the Jigsaw Model at The Jigsaw Classroom’s website: https://www.jigsaw.org

Learner Description

High school students, college students, and adult learners in a media writing or related media course who will work in groups to learn more about digital communication methods.

Instructions

• Group students into Expert Groups. See Phase 1 of the diagram for an example of how 16 students are grouped into Expert Groups. Assign each Expert Group a topic based on the list in the table below.
• Expert Groups will research their topic using the links provided as a starting point, answer the assigned questions, and formulate an explanation of the topic to share with their peers.
• Expert Groups may split up links and sub-concepts to research on their own, then discuss their findings as a group. Before separating into Jigsaw Groups (below), each Expert Group member should be well-versed in their collective main topic.
• Once Expert Groups have completed their research and discussed their findings in their groups, reassign students into Jigsaw Groups. Use Phase 2 of the diagram to assign one student from each Expert Group into each Jigsaw Group, so that all topics are represented in each Jigsaw Group.
• Each Jigsaw Group member will instruct their peers in their new group on their topics. In this way, all class members will have been instructed on all topics.

Questions

Have students read the questions before beginning their research; they will answer them as they research.

1. What are the typical components of your assigned digital communication method?
2. What are the attributes of the digital communication method you have been assigned to research?
   • What are the advantages?
   • What are the drawbacks?
3. What are the most popular of these types of sites in use?
4. Who are the primary users of your assigned digital communication method?
5. What are some related digital communication methods? (You will discuss this point especially when you move into your Jigsaw Groups.)

Preliminary Research

Before beginning research, all Expert Groups will watch the following brief videos:

• Common Craft: Wikis
• Common Craft: Blogs
• Common Craft: Online Discussion Forums
• Common Craft: Social Networking

The four topics in these videos have some similarities, and are interrelated in various ways. Each group, in their research and while answering the questions, should focus specifically on their assigned topic, and avoid targeting research or answers to the other three topics.

Banner photo “jigsaw puzzle pieces” by Electric-Eye licensed under CC BY 2.0; cropped and desaturated from original.