The Jigsaw Technique: A Way to Establish Individual Accountability in Group Work

The use of student groups has long been a prevalent feature of business education. Therefore, it is critical that instructors design and implement these groups in a way that will facilitate learning for all students. One of the essential factors in ensuring the effective use of groups is establishing individual accountability during group work. The jigsaw procedure is one such technique that ensures that equal participation will occur among all members. This article describes the jigsaw technique—both the outcomes and pitfalls—and provides one illustration of how this technique may be incorporated into an organizational behavior class.