Bradley, one thing is for sure when we teach a variety of people. You can't please all of the people all of the time, but you can try to please most of the people most of the time. I find involvement does that...it teaches most of the people most of the time.
I have used Jeopardy, hangman and word surgery in the past. All with differing results from the students.
I have created my own Jeopardy game with index cards. My headings are different body systems, then my questions pertain to terminolgy associated with each system. I know there are Jeopardy templates but I have the students each do two cards.
I have to agree with this as well. I have come across numerous MA students who just despise crossword puzzles. For those who do I have asked them to just answer the questions at the bottom of the puzzle instead of actually filling out the blocks or puzzle itself. They can still learn from just answering the questions and then it doesn't have the feel of actually doing the puzzle for them. They do love the role playing or critical thinking aspect though. I like giving them certain situations that I have come across in offices I worked at, and asked them to handle the situation. I either break them into groups to discuss how they would handle it and come to a decision, or I ask them to write something for me. They seem to like the challenge of figuring out situations like this and they enjoy these because there can be more than one right answer and they know they are practicing for real life situations.
Some of these games actually do work rather well with larger groups, especially Jeopardy or a game where you can get get everyone involved. It just boils down to having bigger teams and needing to make a game with more questions so that everyone is involved.
i have used the game tabu, or in the old days it was called password. The students really have to search for their own explanation of a term using their own words to describe it. i don't allow them to say opposites, or sounds like during the game. It lets me know how well they comprehend the material also.
Do you notice competition is a great motivator. Continue to use it to help students learn.
We have used a game for spelling terminology. Two teams compete by coming to the board and attempting to spell the word. Whoever spells the term correctly the fastest wins. The team wins when they get the most words spelled correctly.
I have used jeopardy and hangman, but will try charades as an icebreaker.
Ice breakers can gain students' interest and create positive connections. Continue to use what your ideas and you will see success.
I have done lots of different ice breakers with my class. Everything from interviewing each other and telling the class about the person they have met, to telling 3 truths and 1 lie game.
I love the idea of using post it notes to label body parts-so much more kinesthetic and also visual versus just seeing pictures on power point slides. Keep creating these sorts of learning methods and you will see success in a variety of students.
I often ask the students to create their own games--they have done bingo, jeopardy, wheel of forturne, pyramid, and others. Sometimes they enjoy the games more when they create them. We also use post-it notes to label body parts--one student is the maniken and the rest in the group have to label with the pre-made post-its!
It's amazing how some simple pictures and a grid can teach people complex scientific terms. I like that you let the students create the pictures, as it gives them ownership of the content. I haven't used the larger post its, but will try them. Thanks for sharing your adaptation.
I have used the "Whole Brain" method with various Science terms.
I let people work in teams of two when I am not sure about the general artistic confidense of a particular class. I pick the teams the first few times we have the activity.
I have packs of poster-size post-it paper. Thia allows for large drawings that can be posted/stuck to walls or markerboards around the room. I encourage people to present their work spread around the room.
Adults love Jeopardy style activities because the format is familiar and fun for them. It is amazing how involved and competitive they get and it definitely is a motivator. Continue to strive for involvement, and you will find many successes.
I have also created a game probably known by many its called Jeopardy. I make five columns consisting of word parts, suffixes, prefixes,disease and disorders and hodge podge. And number it starting with 100 all the way through to 1000. split the classroom into 2 groups and toss a coin they pick a catagory i ask the question the team that is up send one person up to the board once up there there is no help from the team they must write the answer correctly. Its so much fun and it brings the class together the interaction with everyone is amazing.
I use a Macbook and created a grid on MacDraw and filled each block in with a text block. I'd think you could do the same on Microsoft word or Excel, Tory.
How did you go about creating your BINGO game?
Using interaction works to create memory in learners, Tanye. Good to hear you are using both crosswords and flash cards.
