Jigsaw Response

In reading about the Jigsaw method as a collaborative learning model, I foresee many benefits. For instance, if your classroom only had five computers, the Jigsaw method allows for the class to be broken up into separate groups. In this case, you would want to make sure that one person from each group you created (ideally five to match the number of computers) would be able to use a computer at time. The other members in the group could be finding research in other sources such as textbooks, or collaborating with other group members.
Some other potential advantages to using the Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Activity could be the benefit students gain from working together as a group. It not only encourages teamwork but can increase motivation by breaking down areas of study into manageable chunks. This way, students won't feel as overwhelmed about having to research a huge topic. For a history project specifically, the research groups would allow students to understand how their specific portion fits in with other events that happened during that time. The collaboration that students do with members from another group that researched their same topic is a great strategy. This helps those students who have deficits in researching or reading skills collect the extra information that they need. Each group member will bring a different idea of what they thought was important to note in the research they found, and so you end up with a more thorough report.
The only disadvantages I foresee after reading the information is dissension among group members. There is always the possibility that you match up a group that does not end up working together. However you may try to motivate your students, there may still be one or two in your class who do not do as much work as their other group members. Often, the group pressure they receive will be enough for them to step up, but not always. To solve this problem, I would have each group member rate their fellow participants so that they can be graded individually and the overall group grade will not be affected by a lazy member.
Group projects are often viewed in a negative way, but the Jigsaw model sounds like a attractive exception. I look forward to implementing this in my future classroom.