Screencapture - crossword

Crosswords

Online crosswords can be a fun way to learn and consolidate vocabulary and to provide immediate feedback for learners

Samples

John Curtin

This crossword built using Hot Potatoes, to test the student's understanding of wound infections.

Source John Curtin Memorial Library
URL http://john.curtin.edu.au/education/activities(crosswords).html
Use Learners K-6 and adult language learners
Delivery Visual and Text clues for downloadable crossword about aspects of John Curtin's political and personal life
Customisation This course was designed to be used by learners from the source page
Availability From above URL

Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act

Jigsaw activity to develop an understanding of the Racial Discrimination Act (1975)

Source Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act (1975)
URL http://www.racismnoway.com.au/classroom/lesson_ideas/20010831_38.html
Use Primary Upper (10-12) - Secondary Lower (13-14) - Secondary Middle (15-16) an Adult language learners
Delivery Students will become familiar with the Act that underpins all anti-racism legislation and education in Australia through a series of downloadable worksheets, group activities, cloze exercises and crossword puzzles
Customisation This course was designed to be used by learners from the source page
Availability From above URL

Science Crosswords

These crosswords were built to test students understanding of basic science concepts.

Source Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility - Office of Science Education
URL http://education.jlab.org/sciencecrossword/index.html
Use Science Learners
Delivery A JavaScript enabled web browser is required to view and play these puzzles
Customisation This course was designed to be used by learners from the source page
Availability From above URL

Plumbing Words

Take the crossword challenge. Can you solve the clues to reveal words used in plumbing?

Source BBC Skillswise
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/vocabulary/wordsforwork/plumbing/game.shtml
Use Trades and language students
Delivery Developed in using Flash and hosted on a web server for access by all web users
Customisation This crossword cannot be modified
Availability From above URL. A variety of other trades related crosswords in this series can be found here

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Why include crosswords?

Crosswords provide opportunities for learners to practise and rehearse learning content in a fun way. Particularly useful for areas that have large specific vocabulary requirements, crosswords provide opportunities for learners to familiarise themselves with vocabulary and their definitions. Often this can act as a form of self assessment, providing feedback and assisting in the construction of subject specific knowledge.

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Integrating crosswords

Design steps

  • consider which parts of the course content could be practised or reinforced through crosswords
  • compile a list of vocabulary learners need to know
  • write clues which place the words in context
  • prepare student support materials.

Assessment

Crosswords can be used for both self assessment and summative assessment. A novel way to use crosswords involves giving learners the finished crosswords and asking them to write the clues. This is generally a more demanding task than answering the questions.

Technical notes

There are many software tools that can be used to create and publish crosswords for the web. Some are free and are easy for the novice to use. Others, like Flash, require higher level skills and are expensive to purchase and develop. See the Resources section below.

Skills

Usually the development of online crosswords is an option for novice developers using some of the free or low cost software products.

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See also

From the Framework

More resources from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework

Tools and resources

  • Hot Potatoes
    Hot Potatoes is a software tool that creates online interactive execises, such as:
    • quizzes (true/false, multiple choice)
    • drag and drop activities
    • crosswords
    • cloze activities.
    The final product is a web page that can be then incorporated into any online product or emailed to recipients. Hot Potatoes is free for educational use. Some restrictions apply.
    http://www.halfbakedsoftware.com/index.php

Social bookmark for this strategy

http://del.icio.us/designelearn/crossword

Last modified: 11/6/08