I have to be honest about my reaction when I read the crossword assignment on Moodle: I groaned with dread. All I could think about was all the school work I had to do and now I had waste my time in order to create a silly crossword puzzle?!
But, as I created the puzzle, I realized this was another of Dr. Smirnova's sneaky assignments. What seems like a simple task is actually a well-planned activity which creates the conditions for the student to learn something new. This assignment accomplished much more than simply creating a crossword puzzle. It accomplished the following educational goals:
1. By creating the crossword puzzle on Excel, I was forced to explore Excel and learn to use it in a new application.
2. By using the vocabulary from my assigned TDC chapter, I was forced to review the vocabulary words and their meanings.
3. The entire activity induced a reflective process in which I realized the educational value of this type of assignment.
Can I use create my own multi-purpose assignments in my future classroom? Of course. For example, instead of giving a direct instruction lesson on how to use Excel, I could use the same crossword assignment for my students using vocabulary words from a content area such as math or science. With today's demanding standards, this is an ideal and efficient way to develop computer skills while reinforcing content area knowledge.
If I were to do an assignment like this again, I would not approach it with dread. I would approach it with an open mind so that I may fully partake in the educational opportunity the assignment offers.
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