Crossword Puzzle as a Learning Tool to Enhance Learning about Anticoagulant Therapeutics

Abstract

BackgroundEducational games make the learning process more enjoyable, fun, and create a competitive classroom environment that can positively affect learning. This study sought to implement and evaluate pharmacy students’ perceptions towards using crossword puzzles (CWPs) as a learning tool in the pharmacotherapy cardiovascular module focusing on the therapeutics of anticoagulants.MethodsClues for the puzzle were developed, validated, and piloted by course faculty. A free internet puzzle generator was used to create puzzles with 10 to 20 clues. Students were given 30 minutes to solve the puzzle following the completion of the didactic topic. An 8-item survey instrument and Pharmacists’ Inventory of Learning Styles (PILS) questionnaire were administered to examine students’ perceptions of the game and their learning style preference, respectively.ResultsOver three consecutive course offerings, 267 students participated in the activity from both undergraduate programs (Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). Most students expressed favorable perceptions of the puzzle. Female and BPharm students had significantly more favorable perceptions than male students and PharmD students on several perception items. There was no association between student perceptions and their learning styles.ConclusionCWP presented an innovative, creative, and easy active learning tool to enhance students’ learning and engagement.