Impact of crossword puzzles as an active learning methodology

Students of medical and paramedical sciences often perceive medical terminologies as a foreign language. They find it difficult to memorize, spell and recall, the words. Incorporation of active learning methods in adjunct to didactic lectures favors critical thinking, encourages students’ participation and helps in reinforcing the material acquired during lectures and also develops communication skills.

The study was conducted in the Department of anatomy after taking permission from Institutional Ethics Committee. The activity was performed on 225 students after the topics were taught in the class. Crossword puzzles were designed by the faculty and the content validity was ensured by linking the clues and answers to specific learning objectives. Students were divided into small groups and time given was 20 minutes. Student’s perception was noted through a prevalidated feedback questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale.

Most of the students enjoyed learning through recreation. 75% of the students were of the view that crossword puzzles should be incorporated in other subjects also, as it encourages active learning.

The active learning methodologies like crossword, jigsaw puzzle, evokes interest in the subject, motivates students and relieve the tedium of traditional teaching methods. In our study, we concluded, that crossword puzzles made learning fun as the students were interactive, and it also provided a nice change from typically dry nature of the subject, so it should be included in curriculum.