C6 Jigsaw Discussion



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Chapter 6 : Discipline Through Belonging, Cooperation, and Self-Control
Unique Activity : JigSaw Discussion

http://www.jigsaw.org/ - According to this Web site, the jigsaw classroom is a cooperative learning technique that reduces racial conflict among school children, promotes better learning, improves student motivation, and increases enjoyment of the learning experience. The jigsaw technique was first developed in the early 1970s by Elliot Aronson and his students at the University of Texas and the University of California.

Here are the jigsaw steps for discussing Chapter 6:

1. Divide into groups of six participants (jigsaw group). Try to provide diversity of gender, ethnicity, and interests.

2. Choose one person to be the team facilitator/leader. This person has the responsibility to assure equitable contributions to the process, to keep the group on task, and to guide the discussion.

3. The chapter should be divided into three parts (cooperative discipline, inner discipline, and positive discipline).

4. Two students from each group are assigned to one of the three disciplines. Individually analyze and evaluate the specific discipline assigned and prepare to explain the discipline model.

5. Then form temporary "expert groups" by joining all of the participants who have examined the same discipline model. In the expert group, discuss the main points of the model, evaluate the strength of the model, and rehearse presentations that will be given to the original jigsaw group of six participants. (With six participants in the jigsaw group, pairs of participants will report back to the group.)

6. Return to the jigsaw group. Partners who have the same discipline model then present the model to the jigsaw group.

7. The facilitator/teacher should move from group to group observing the process and making notes of accuracy of information and the process of discussion.

8. At the end of the session, each individual participant will write a brief paragraph describing how the three models are alike and different and one paragraph describing how one of the concepts will be integrated into the personal system of discipline.

This discussion may be conducted via electronic chat rooms of a course management tool, such as Blackboard or Moodle. (A Voice over the Internet Protocol, such as Centra or Skype, would be another distance learning option for the discussion.) Individual preparation through reading, reflecting, and analyzing an assigned discipline would need to occur prior to the scheduled chat room discussion. The individual follow up paragraphs (item 8) could be submitted to the course management tool's assignment drop box within an hour (or whatever time frame seems appropriate) of the completed chat. Or it could be submitted to the facilitator/teacher via email.