I have found that crossword puzzles work well for medical terminology, but I also really like the make me a match activity. I am definitely going to incorporate that into my next class.
I personally like crossword puzzles but student feedback is very negative toward them. I have used word searches in the past and as an additional challenge I put the definition of the terms in the list and they have to figure out what the term is then find it in the puzzle. Most of my students like interactive games. I use Bingo a lot. I like the matching game introduced in this module and will likely try that in my A & P class.
Jodie, reinforcing filler activities are an investment in creating memory in learners.
Michele Deck
Jeanie, I agree. It is a better learning experience for them to produce the spelling of the words.
Michele Deck
I have also used acrostics as review of the days material or as a quiz. This involves writing a word vertically on a piece of paper and for each letter of the word students make a sentence or phrase relating to what has been learned. A very short example:
Cyt/o is the combining form meaning cell
Erythrocyte is the medical term for red blood cell
Leukocyte is the medical term for white blood cell
Lymphocyte is a specific type of white blood cell
I never really thought about crossword puzzles as being problem solving but now that you have said it, I can really see how this would be the case.
I love word puzzles and often do use them as fillers for students that finish activities earlier.
Many of my students like doing these puzzles. Some do not like them as much. Perhaps having a couple of different activities that early finishers or individuals can choose from.
There is a really good puzzle creator at discovery.com; you just have to enter the information and it creates the puzzle for you.
I use crossword puzzles for various terms. I miss-spell words and if they find the words, circle same, then spell correctly, they get x-tra points.
I use crossword puzzels and have found conflicting feedback on them Some students want a word bank, however I explain that spelling is crutcial in the medical field so I rarely give them one.
activities are a great way to get the class movinv and excited about the material. The material isn't always easy to present in lecture format. activities can reinforce the material with out boring the students.
Alan, I agree. Giving opportunities for students to have success can lower anxiety and boost self esteem.
Michele Deck
Due to the overall educational level of my students I feel that I would like to use either a word search or a mystery clue. That way they could work on the activity using information they knew or discussed directly and hopefully acheive a measure of success that would boost their self esteem.
I would love to do the word search and crossword puzzles. I currently use crossword puzzles.
Robin, working in groups can also teach teamwork, an essential skill in getting amd keeping a job.
Michele Deck
Lecture without interaction can put students to sleep. Keeping them alert can be a big help.
Many of the activities are fun except the crossword puzzle. In order to make the crossword puzzle, in my class, I must offer the puzzle as a group activity. Everyone seems to get involved at that time and participate. Many students enjoy the learning the crossword puzzle provides but become very resistant if the information is localized.
Angelia, it is best to give the reason or rationale of why you are using an activity, just as you described with the crossword puzzle. This helps the more analytical learners to see value in an activity, not thinking it is a waste of time.
Michele Deck
Although we as educators can see the advantage of these study games and activities, often times the students see it as a "waste" of time and a time filler only. I have used crossword puzzles as an extra quiz for the students. I let them know ahead of time that there will be a puzzle at the end of lecture and they are allowed to use their notes only. This way they have to pay attention and also learn the spellings of Key Terms.
Obviously verbal feedback -praise always is great
I also use stickers and candy and certificates
Students love the encouragement
Judith, personalizing class to learner need is very important.
Michele Deck
The most important feedback to the students will be to identify the areas that they need to study more, or to review again for understanding. For me, the instructor, these types of activities help me to see which areas of the class that I need to repeat to reinforce understanding of the concepts that I have been teaching that class period, or the previous class period.
