Past, Present, and Future Methods
What activity have you created and used in the past?
Sometimes, if there was a small amount of class time left, I would let them play Hangman st the board. It didn't require a lot of prep or materials and would let the class end on a fun note.
After meeting my Learners I adjust the activity to their learning style. However memory games are very well receive. I make a list of terms and they have to describe it with one adjective that start with the same letter. The whole entire class get involve.
As I discussed in another forum was the translation of common board games to reflect course material. To advance in games (in which the normal advancement would be through a draw of a card or the roll of the dice) students would have to answer a question correctly regarding the course material.
Using translated board games is also an efficient way to have smaller groups interact and produce better learning and participation opportunities for the students.
Cecilyn, thank you for sharing this activity with us.
Michele Deck
I created the flash card game. Dividing the students into two teams. I have index cards with one word part written on the front side. The students are lined up in front of the baord with stack of cards on each side and have to do a relay to see who can write the meaning of the word parts the fastest.
I use jeopardy, group multiple choice quizzes, individual medical term breakdown on volunteer basis, and the cd that come with the text. The CD has practice quizzes, word search and hangman on it.
I have really only used Jeopardy but can't wait to implement some of these other games.
Tara, thank you for your honest thoughts. Pick your favorite activity and use that first.
Michele Deck
Christina-Rose, shy students feel safer in groups, and having a spokesperson who may not be them.
Michele Deck
I created a jeopardy game for my class to help them learn the medical terms. They loved it! They work in teams which helps the shy students in the group and still allows everyone to participate.
This is my first term teaching adult students, and these activities have given me several ideas, not only for teaching medical terminology, but for adapting these methods to the different subjects in A&P. Thank you!
Last module as we were finishing Fundamentals of Nursing, I created a Jeopardy-like game for my students.
I put them into groups and designated a team leader. The group could confer with the leader but only the leader could give me an answer.
I used the following categories:
1) Nursing Diagnoses
2) Medical Terminology
3) Lab Values
4) Medications
5) Name that Disease
There are five questions in each category. The selected group has a set amount of time to provide the answer. If they run out of time or don't get the correct answer, another team can "steal" the question. If they get it right, they get the points.
I kept playing until we had gone through all of the questions. The winning team received a gift card for each member.
The students seemed to really enjoy the game and everyone participated.
I have honestly created not one activity and as a result my students become uninterested. This is the reason I decided to take this course to try and learn anything i could to keep the class interested and make it exciting for myself and the students. The ideas are great and I look forward to trying ALL of them out.
In the past I have used word searches, crossword puzzles, and group review games. The students seem to have fun while learning.
Equanda, creating memory is a major focus of teaching. Thank you for stressing the hands on approach.
Michele Deck
Yes I do agree. Hands on is the key. People learn in different ways but hands on it seems like people grasp it faster and longer.
I have created and used a pronunciation period. Its a time where we all say the word out loud several times and use it in a sentence.
Catherine, thank you for sharing your successful teaching ideas.
Michele Deck
I create crossword puzzles, word searches,and games. I also have the students create a quiz that another student will complete. They then grade the quiz they created. I give them a "100" automatically for participating. The quizzes they create are usually harder than mine. I also have them go around the room and discuss something they learned. It is a way to review as well. I also use relay races. In the future, I am going to try baseball.
