The Jigsaw Classroom
Gretchen Palmer
Department of Behavior Sciences, Liberty University
PSYC 312: Social Psychology (D01)
Dr. Jamie Claus Getz, LCMHC
November 17, 2025
Introduction
I will be discussing the overview, history, and the purpose of the jigsaw technique. In this
paper we will dive into a unique and research-based learning technique that has a success rate
of four decades.
Jigsaw Technique
Overview
What is the jigsaw classroom? The jigsaw classroom is a learning technique to reduce racial
conflict, increases teamwork and positive learning environments. This learning technique is a
successful tool, as it, helps each student to have a part in completing the assignment. You have
to participate to succeed. This concept is the same concept of a jigsaw puzzle, you need all of
the pieces to complete your picture, in this technique, you need all of the students participating
to complete the assignment. This technique is highly structured and interdependence is a
requirement. (Jigsaw Classroom, 2000). This technique is interesting, because students will
learn from each other and help each other to succeed and shine brightly. The teacher is more of
a facilitating resource person, rather than lecturing the students.
History
The jigsaw technique was used 1971 in Austin, Texas for the first time. Professor Aronson
and his graduate students invented this technique to help keep an explosive situation from
exploding. This technique was developed to help end in-school violence and competition
between different cliques of students. This technique was carefully crafted to ensure that
students could work together and get along with one another. The jigsaw technique took the
competition between students out of the classroom and helped students to see their peers
perspectives, this technique helped all students learn, as well.
Purpose
The purpose of the jigsaw learning technique is to take the competition and hostility out
of the classroom. It is about uniting students together and ensuring their learning success. This
technique brings diverse students together; they are no longer competing against one another.
It, also, ensures that everyone is learning and not just one person is doing all of the work. How
it Works
Students are divided up into small groups. Let’s say there are four students in each group.
As an example, we will use, Leonardo Da Vinci. One student will be in charge of researching
Leonardo’s history, such when and where he was born and how his upbringing was. The second
student will research his artwork and how he got started as an artist. The third student will
research his inventions and how he got started inventing. Finally, the fourth student will
research how and where he died. When the students come together, they will have a full
presentation that will be presented.
Biblical Principle
The Bible verse that I would like to use for this paper is, Jeremiah 29:11-13, “’For I know
the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a
future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come to pray to me, and I will hear you. You
will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Crossway, 2001). I think that
the jigsaw learning technique aligns exceptionally well with the Bible, because it is bringing
students together instead of dividing apart. Students are able to express themselves without
the confines of their cliques. This technique is a technique full of inclusion and no competition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the jigsaw learning technique is wonderful. I feel like this technique would be
very beneficial to all schools. I feel that it would help with the violence and hostility in school.
This technique would unify schools and would help to keep schools peaceful.
References
Crossway. (2001). Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway.
Jigsaw Classroom. (2000). Overview. Retrieved from Jigsaw Classroom:
https://www.jigsaw.org/overview/
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