I have used students making flash cards, quiz each other then I will go around classroom quizing them. The students know if they need to study more without calling them out.
I actually have witnessed the same thing. Students do not complete them or they do not take them seriously. Usually if they do not complete a tast that is given for homework, they receive a 0 for the assignment.
Having the students tag team with peers who are not their friends creates an environment of collaboration and cooperation, two great happenings in a class.
I have used crossword puzzles before and the students really enjoyed them. I set it up with both easy and hard terms. I did it in the beginning of the quarter and it was homework. The students did not really know each other yet. I noticed the next class period that some of the students that were having trouble with the harder terms were sitting by students that they normally did not sit by. They were tag-teaming the harder terms.
The feedback is the improved quiz and test results, also games can reinforse lecture when applied to lab work.
I have used crossword puzzles to reenforce topics from leecture and students state they are very helpful.
Dimitria, it is a great way to gauge student comprehension, and also see what you need to go back and clarify in a safe and light-hearted learning environment.
I would utilize prompt and constructive feedback.
I like the ball toss idea to get the students out of their seats. Half-way through the class, I had the students summarize points, and each student had to say something different. For every point that is summarized, I was able to add information. It also gauges student comprehension.
I have used crosswords for bonus points for homework or a test. I have also used crossword puzzles as an open book test, so I have come across a few tough ones. The students have thought it was a great idea for a different type of test.
This gives the instructor a chance to have fun and give positive reinforcement, other than a written test. With the adult learner there any many challenges to keep them engaged and learn the subject matter.
Bingo is a great idea. I will have to try this with my students.
My workbook assignments include crossword puzzles and word find puzzles. I have some students who love doing the puzzles and others who do not. I encourage all the students to try to complete the puzzles but understand that some students will not be interested and will probably get less from the activity than the ones who enjoy them.
Since Bingo is such a well known game, Robert, it takes no additional explanation time. I hope your students enjoy creating and using the cards.
I have had good results with group quizzing games for participation points. Groups get into the spirit of competition! I think having students make up their own bingo cards has a lot of merit. I could make that part of the homework grade. And,if I could tie this work into a quiz, the results should be more studying and retention of material - the biggest challenge of all.
Glad this jogged a part of your creativity to make it better for your class. Enjoy!
I haven't tried this yet so I don't know how it will work out, but an idea I got from reading some of these suggested activity's. I thought of a memory game in humans.. meaning 10 students would stand backwards in front of class with numbers on their backs 1-10. On there fronts would be a term (5) then definitions to match (5). The remaining students would say number 1 turn around and number 5 turn around if it was a match they would stay facing forward. If not they would turn around; and another student would do the same till all students were facing the front of the class. You could play twice so all students had a chance to be the cards and the players.
You can also get their buy in and ownership of the content because they are internalizing it for a reason, even if it is competition. Thanks, Bradley!
I would say you will be able to find out several things by utilizing various activities.
1. How well your students participate in group
activities/games.
2. How well they retain the material presented
3. How they respond to different games. presented to them.
It vary's. Some students may think it's too much and some may think it's not enough. Individual students have individula learning styles. You must be able to reach all of them for their sucess in your class
