I have used cross word puzzles effectively as study helps that are strictly voluntary and have no grade attached. I tell them I will share the key with them when they have done them. Most students like them and do them with good effect. A few students do not bother because they do not like the activity. Many do like them and feel more comfortable doing them to learn since they are voluntary and do not affect their grade.
The feedback I get is that it helps them to learn the material and do better on their tests.
I have used crosswords and wordfinds. A lot of my students love the wordfinds and find the crosswords hard. I like using crosswords because I feel it makes the student really think about the material at hand.
Reinforcement of content and student self-esteem, both going hand-in-hand. Another approach is to have students work together to come up with an effective activity.
I provide this activity as a classroom assignment and homework. I also, give pop quiz to see if the students have done the assignment. Most of my student's like this activity. I believe this activity help the student curiosity and interest.
Deborah , it is fun to review important topics with the games on the CD's and it's good to encourage that.
Michele Deck
I like the idea of the mystery weekly term. I am anxious to try it. I get good feed back onusing flash cards,tabu and board games on our teaching disc. The students like the games on their disc also that comes with their terminology book.
Reading an article and summarizing main points of the article.
I have found that the more activities that you do in class the better the student learn the material. I like to use crossword puzzles and word searches and any thing else I can get my hands on to enhance my students learning abilities.
Student love to do the cross word puzzled and the word search
Sally, this is an observation more instructors need to be aware of.
Michele Deck
It gives immediate and reinforcement feedback.
William, it's amazing buy true that spelling bees work no matter what ahe the learners are.
Michele Deck
Thnak you for the tips. look forward to exploring the CD. I really like the idea of a terminology spelling bee.
William Austin DC
Its kind of a thing where you just can't determine, you just have to see how it goes.
Students get positive feedback when they successfully complete any of these individual activities. Even if they do not get the correct answer at first, they can see the right answer and move on. I have students who are shy when it comes to the group activities who very much enjoy the individual activities and actually ask for more to take home with them
I can assess the material in which the class needs to focus on and the student that may need additional help in grasping the material.
Cynthia, I agree. These puzzles can be used with a wide variety of content.
Michele Deck
Julie, thank you for sharing your two different kinds of puzzles. It sounds intriguing and fun.
Michele Deck
I use word searches and crossword puzzles for courses other than just med term. The students have better recall in both physics and technical classes.
I have been using both word search and crossword puzzles in my class, I make them group activities so the slower students don't feel out of place. Sometimes I let them work with friends, and other times I make them switch it up with other students. I have two different kinds of puzzles though, my fun, or the students' fun. My fun is where they have to look up the answers from the clues, and their fun is easy obvious answers. So far they have gotten a kick out of both. :) And yes, the puzzle makers are wonderful!
