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. |
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| 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 |
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