competition
I find that friendly competition among my students really helps them engage. Bragging rights are a big motivator! One game we play to learn surgical instruments is divide into two teams. Then, I make two plies of instruments. When I call out the name of an instrument, a member from each team goes over to their pile and picks instrument out. Each team can provide feedback and hints to their teammate. The team that picks the most instruments out correctly is the winner. I think I will adapt this game to terminology. The teams will have to pick either the term or the definition that corresponds to what I call out. Allowing the teams to give feedback and help to their teammates keeps everyone involved and generates new ways of thinking about terms.
Judy, I like that your learners are learning while having fun!
Michele Deck
Nicole, I completely agree. Students love a little friendly competition and it is a big motivator. The day before exams we usually break the students up into two teams and have play a game and the team with the most points wins. It not only helps them study for the exam but it allows the shy students to get involved with the group.
Linda, I agree that friendly competition is a motivator and cut throat competition is a de-motivator.
Michele Deck
Competition is always intresting. I have found with certain classes playing competitive games does not always turn out as intended. I have a rule in the classroom that before we start a competitive classroom activity there has to be a universal agreement of no arguing! Competition is a great tool for learning and especially for reviewing information, but sometimes students need to be reminded that they are in an adult learning environment.
Linda, it is hard to just watch pictures of instruments and remember what their names are and their use. Activities are the key.
Michele Deck
I agree! The surgical instrument game sounds like a great way to have our vet tech students learn the names and what they are used for. Much better than watching a slide show of various instruments etc.
Terry, this is a great activity that will give you positive results.
Michele Deck
Nicole thank you for sharing your ideas with all of us. I am eager to try out your surgical instrument game with my medical assistant students.
Allen, thank you for sharing your success with "name that muscles." This helps others to see value in that activity.
Michele Deck
nicole, thank you so much for sharing how yu teach surgical instruments. This is terrific and I am glad you can adapt it to terminology, too.
Michele Deck
Friendly competition is good especially when it is male vs female. In my Kinesiology class, we played a game, "Name that Muscle" and it was GREAT! The students were fully engaged.
