Student teams and jigsaw techniques in an undergraduate CSE project course

The use of jigsaw techniques in a multidisciplinary, project-oriented, introductory computational science and engineering course is described. The course revolves around the study and completion of four projects, each devised and taught by a team of faculty drawn from several departments. This paper discusses the execution of a single project in the course and the use of a jigsaw team structure in its execution. Jigsaw techniques are implemented by forming project teams composed of members with designated areas of expertise. Project team members with common areas of expertise are then formed into secondary expert teams. The project team maintains responsibility for completion of the project while the expert teams are responsible for mastering their designated areas as well as developing a strategy for teaching the members of their project team what they have learned. All students are evaluated equally in each area of expertise. The effectiveness of the jigsaw technique is determined through the use of peer, group, and individual assessment.