EXAMPLE 2
Another very simple form of bias task activity is a jigsawed gapfill. To prepare a jigsawed
gapfill of a song, photocopy the lyrics twice. Label one photocopy “A” and the other “B”. On
photocopy A, blank out with correction fluid nine words. On photocopy B, blank out eleven
words, making sure that the gaps on photocopy A are in different places from the gaps on
photocopy B. In this example, photocopy B is the high-level task (with more gaps to fill),
and photocopy A is the the low-level task (with fewer gaps). The simplicity or complexity
of the words you gap can also make the task easier or more difficult.
A positive feature of this kind of bias activity is that, because the jigsawed gaps are
in different places, students are not necessarily aware of who has more gaps and who has
fewer. We could easily add a third task sheet (C) for the weakest students, with six gaps
in different places from the gaps on photocopies A and B. This would mean conducting
feedback in groups of three.