The Benefits of Studying with Others: The Jigsaw Method

Studying alone in a quiet space is often effective, but there are times when studying with others can be even more advantageous. One such method is the jigsaw reading method, which aims to break up large amounts of text for easier understanding.

Originally developed by social psychologist Elliot Aronson in the 1970s to promote cooperation among integrated classrooms, the jigsaw method has since been adapted for learners of all ages. Its objective is to turn individuals into experts in specific topics and empower them to teach their peers.

How Does Jigsaw Learning Work?

There are two approaches to jigsaw learning:

1. In small groups, the reading is divided into one or two-paragraph chunks, with each member assigned a chunk. Each person thoroughly studies their assigned chunk and teaches the rest of the group about it. By the end of the discussion, all group members should have a comprehensive understanding of the entire text, without having to read it all.
2. In larger groups, smaller subgroups take on individual chunks of text. Once a subgroup masters their assigned concept, one member rotates to another group to learn from them. This rotation continues until everyone has had a chance to learn from different groups. In a college or workplace setting, this can be easily done using a collaborative document, where each group compiles a summary in a shared file.

If you’re working on a group project or have colleagues/classmates willing to study together, you can experiment with different methods, as long as the work is divided into chunks for individuals to become experts in their assigned topics. This promotes a deeper understanding and facilitates easy explanation for others to grasp. Ultimately, everyone benefits from teaching and learning from each other, effectively capturing the main messages of the text.

Source: Use the ‘Jigsaw Method’ to Study Complex Topics