Web-based Crossword Puzzles Support Revision

Abstract

A program has been written in Visual Basic that helps the lecturer to construct an interactive crossword in JavaScript for use in a Web browser. Puzzles have been used to provide self-assessment material for student revision and attitudes were evaluated by use of a closed questionnaire. Students’ attitudes after using the program were generally positive and students agreed with the proposition that lecturers should be encouraged to use crossword puzzles to support learning.

Online Chemistry Crossword Puzzles prior to and during COVID-19: Light-Hearted Revision Aids That Work

“…Many crossword building websites can certainly accommodate such a format, allowing answers to be directly entered into crossword cells on screen. 14,38,42 However, it has been argued that the overlapping words, which clearly make a crossword what it is, by default, tend to show where mistakes have occurred. Crosswords therefore contain their own self-correction feature, as described by both Abuello 12 and Shah, 36 making the need for technology-driven feedback somewhat redundant.…”

“…For optimum student engagement and learning gains, instructors should focus on designing crosswords that help students identify the key themes and concepts within their course syllabus without embedding too many clues per puzzle or being too cryptic. 42 If this indeed sounds like the instructor is generating the revision notes on the student's behalf, then Ruth Van Vleet's student-led activity, whereby the students created their own crosswords, 24 might actually be the preferable active learning model to apply here. This approach has already been utilized by Corticone; 18 however, in keeping with the results of this communication, no appreciable differences in exam performance were noted following its inclusion, but student feedback was extremely positive.…”

A-Cross: An Accessible Crossword Puzzle for Visually Impaired Users

“…Weisskireh [16] used crossword puzzles as exam review tools and concluded that an appropriately designed crossword puzzle can provide an easy and engaging way for students to review concepts when preparing for a test. Wise [18] discusses the use of crossword puzzles as a tool for students' self-assessment, and reports positive student attributes and their unanimous confidence that crosswords could be employed by teachers to support learning.…”

Developments in nutritional programming illustrated by WinDiets

“…During the last decade, I have been experimenting with producing educational programs that work in internet browsers because this environment facilitates interaction and these programs can be accessed by students from home as well as at the university (Wise 1999a). Programs that have been evaluated by questionnaire include a food labelling simulation (Wise 2000), revision crossword puzzles (Wise 2001), research protocol simulation (Wise 2002a), a food composition quiz (Wise 2002b), a metabolic pathways program (Wise 2002c), a puzzle to assist students' understanding of research methods (Wise 2003) and an activity diary program (Wise & Cowie 2005). These developments led me to incorporate what I learned into my dietary analysis program using the WebBrowser control and the result has been included in the updated version of WinDiets (see http://www.windiets.co.uk).…”