Academic Journal
Game-Based Vocabulary Practice at Scale in Microbiology: Crosswords for Concept Retrieval Practice.
| Τίτλος: | Game-Based Vocabulary Practice at Scale in Microbiology: Crosswords for Concept Retrieval Practice. |
|---|---|
| Συγγραφείς: | Smink, Jordan (AUTHOR) Jas1522@msstate.edu |
| Πηγή: | American Biology Teacher (University of California Press). Sep2026, Vol. 88 Issue 7, p404-407. 4p. |
| Θεματικοί όροι: | *Crossword puzzles, *Retrieval practice, *Microbiology, *Concept learning, *Gamification, *Introductory courses (Education) |
| Περίληψη: | Mastery of dense, discipline-specific vocabulary is essential in microbiology because terminology underpins conceptual understanding, laboratory interpretation, and problem solving. To support this objective in a large-enrollment introductory course, chapter-aligned crossword puzzles were implemented as optional, low-stakes retrieval practice. Each puzzle targeted key terms and included an answer key presented on the reverse to enable immediate, student-controlled feedback and self-grading at scale without instructor or teaching assistant marking. This article describes the pedagogical rationale for this approach, along with practical guidance for implementation in large classes. Design considerations regarding term selection, difficulty calibration, and alignment with course outcomes are discussed, as well as logistics for distribution, accessibility, and optional light gamification. Observations from classroom use and informal student feedback are included to illustrate how the approach functions in practice. This low-cost, scalable strategy can be readily adopted across life-science contexts and integrated into existing course structures with minimal instructor workload. Crossword-based retrieval practice represents a pragmatic addition to the microbiology teaching toolkit for supporting vocabulary development in large-enrollment courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | Academic Search Index |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: asx DbLabel: Academic Search Index An: 197497333 RelevancyScore: 1452 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 1452.42749023438 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Game-Based Vocabulary Practice at Scale in Microbiology: Crosswords for Concept Retrieval Practice. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Smink%2C+Jordan%22">Smink, Jordan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<i> Jas1522@msstate.edu</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22American+Biology+Teacher+%28University+of+California+Press%29%22">American Biology Teacher (University of California Press)</searchLink>. Sep2026, Vol. 88 Issue 7, p404-407. 4p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Crossword+puzzles%22">Crossword puzzles</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Retrieval+practice%22">Retrieval practice</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Microbiology%22">Microbiology</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Concept+learning%22">Concept learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gamification%22">Gamification</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Introductory+courses+%28Education%29%22">Introductory courses (Education)</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Mastery of dense, discipline-specific vocabulary is essential in microbiology because terminology underpins conceptual understanding, laboratory interpretation, and problem solving. To support this objective in a large-enrollment introductory course, chapter-aligned crossword puzzles were implemented as optional, low-stakes retrieval practice. Each puzzle targeted key terms and included an answer key presented on the reverse to enable immediate, student-controlled feedback and self-grading at scale without instructor or teaching assistant marking. This article describes the pedagogical rationale for this approach, along with practical guidance for implementation in large classes. Design considerations regarding term selection, difficulty calibration, and alignment with course outcomes are discussed, as well as logistics for distribution, accessibility, and optional light gamification. Observations from classroom use and informal student feedback are included to illustrate how the approach functions in practice. This low-cost, scalable strategy can be readily adopted across life-science contexts and integrated into existing course structures with minimal instructor workload. Crossword-based retrieval practice represents a pragmatic addition to the microbiology teaching toolkit for supporting vocabulary development in large-enrollment courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=asx&AN=197497333 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1525/abt.2026.88.7.404 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 4 StartPage: 404 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Crossword puzzles Type: general – SubjectFull: Retrieval practice Type: general – SubjectFull: Microbiology Type: general – SubjectFull: Concept learning Type: general – SubjectFull: Gamification Type: general – SubjectFull: Introductory courses (Education) Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Game-Based Vocabulary Practice at Scale in Microbiology: Crosswords for Concept Retrieval Practice. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Smink, Jordan IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 09 Text: Sep2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00027685 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 88 – Type: issue Value: 7 Titles: – TitleFull: American Biology Teacher (University of California Press) Type: main |
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