Details about INSTRUCTIONAL PUZZLES

What types of puzzles are included in this booklet?

This booklet explores five different puzzle formats that are especially suitable for instructional purposes.

Crossword Puzzle presents clues or questions related to an instructional topic. Your task is to write the correct answers across or down on the crossword puzzle grid.
Cryptic Cluster presents a list of enciphered items that belong to a specific category such as leadership qualities. Your task is to decipher the items by using a combination of logic and knowledge of the subject-matter area.
Dominoes presents a page divided into dominoes, each containing an unmatched pair of items such as a technical term and the definition of another. Your task is to arrange the dominoes so that the bottom part of the first domino matches the top part of the second one, and so on.
Letter Drop presents two or more rows of boxes with letters above them. Your task is to arrange the letters in the appropriate boxes so that they spell out a message such as the definition of a technical term or the statement of a principle.
Unscramble presents several clues and rows of boxes for the answers. Some boxes are circled, and your task is to rearrange the letters in these boxes to answer the last question.

What can you do with instructional puzzles?

If you are an instructional designer or a trainer, you can use puzzles to provide highly motivating and effective instruction. Here are some specific strategies for using instructional puzzles:

Preview. Instructional puzzles can provide an effective introduction to a new training topic. They intrigue the participants and increase their readiness to learn more about the topic.
Review. Instructional puzzles can provide an excellent method for reviewing principles and procedures that have been covered in the training session.
Testing. Instructional puzzles can provide an innovative approach to learner assessment. By transforming the test into a playful activity, they can reduce the learner's anxiety level.
Drill Practice. Instructional puzzles can motivate the learner to work through repeated practice and provide appropriate feedback.
Enrichment. Instructional puzzles can reward the faster learner with newer challenges.

How do you use instructional puzzles?

Here are some of the ways in which you can use instructional puzzles:

Individual work. You can distribute the puzzles to the participants during breaks and as homework assignments.
Delayed reviews. You can mail the instructional puzzles a few days after the training session to encourage the participants to review what they have learned. You can mail the solutions after a few more days.
Partnership activities. You can use instructional puzzles to encourage mutual coaching among the participants. By providing different sets of hints to different participants, you can reinforce cooperative learning.
Team Building. You can use instructional puzzles to provide a common challenge to the members of a team.
Computer-based training. You can incorporate instructional puzzles at appropriate points in a CBT lesson. You can use the computer to present the puzzles, accept the answers, and award scores.

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