learning through crossword puzzles

I've always been passionate about crossword puzzles. That's why I've been trying to incorporate crosswords into the national syllabus and hope to produce an alternative way for students to grasp knowledge.

I have been using the same tool to teach my students, and so far the results have been amazing. My students did improved on their spelling and able to memorise terminology, vocabulary and facts (although there's no scholarly research being done to prove it yet). It can be used on both high achievers and under achievers, depending on its usage and sets of questions. Hence, I've been running workshops for teachers to guide them on crossword construction and how to use it in their classrooms. So far, I have been receiving good response from teachers and parents.

So, in order to apply this to students, I'll be running a series of workshops from this month end to August. Subjects include Bahasa Melayu, English, Science, Mathematics, Sejarah, Geografi and Kemahiran Hidup. This one-day workshop will be conducted in University of Malaya at the Faculty of Education. Time and date will be notified soon.

Schools, teachers parents and students who are interested and want to know more about this workshop, please contact me @ 012-3720 858 or email to me at wowmedia.pj@gmail.com.

crossword construction workshop

My crossword construction workshop ran smoothly this morning. Although some of the participants cannot make it due to the changes of time and date, I'm still glad that I'm able to proceed with this first workshop at my faculty.

Throughout the workshop, I was able to understand more about the teachers need and things that I can improve in my presentation. I must say that I have a great group of teachers/educators yesterday. They are very proactive, knowledgeable and respectable teachers.

It's definitely not easy when it's a one-man show. There's a lot of preparation work, marketing and coordinating job. However, I couldn't wait to organize another one in this near future.

learn to construct crossword puzzles (for educators)

The Star published an incorrect title for my workshop. It is a workshop to help teachers to "construct" classroom crosswords and not learning how to "solve" them. Anyway, thank you The Star (Education) for their support.

The crossword construction workshop is strictly for teachers, tutors and anyone in the educational line.

As an educator who is using classroom crosswords in teaching, I see tremendous changes in my students. They are not only able to pick up terms and vocabulary but also understand its usage. For example, in Bahasa Melayu PMR level, my students are able to identify the different types of gaya bahasa in the anthologies and novels they read, thanks to their effort in solving crosswords I've created.

Learn how to create worksheet or online crossword puzzles for classroom teaching.

Another benefit of using crosswords in classroom teaching is improving students' ability in spelling. This is especially useful when it comes to learning languages, memorizing scientific and mathematical terms, historical and geographical facts, etc.

Teachers are encouraged to use classroom crosswords to compliment their teaching. I know most teachers would like to do that but the methods taught to them are either complicated or not user-friendly. Hence, this workshop is conducted to guide them to an easy crossword construction which they can master in just 2 hours.

Venue: Faculty of Education, University of Malaya (register at the Bangunan Pentadbiran)
Date: 25 February 2006
Time 9.30 a.m. - 12 noon
Target audience: Teachers, tutors, educators (all levels)

To download the brochure, click: http://www.savefile.com/files.php?fid=8338160 or call me at 012-3720 858.

crossword construction

Recently I chatted with a classmate who is working at the Curriculum Development Centre. She was disappointed with most teachers who seldom apply what they have learned in workshops in their classroom teaching.

A couple of months back, I came to know from another classmate of mine who is a teacher saying that they were taught how to construct crossword puzzles in one workshop. However, the method is too time consuming and complicated. Because it was a group work at the workshop, she did not know exactly what to do and leave it to one particular group member to complete the task.

As my educational crossword book series will be out in the market soon (in the printing process, finally!), I was thinking of sharing my method with teachers (or tutors, educators, parents etc) on how to construct good quality crosswords within minutes. I've been planning this idea for a week now and finally came up with something. I'm going to run this workshop in February at the Faculty of Education, University of Malaya and will be charging a very low fee (to cover training materials, rental and software installer).

My crosswords are not the typical puzzles you normally see in newspapers or educational magazines. Mine are more specific and encourage students to pick up important terms that cover all topics that they are going to learn that year. I've been using crosswords in teaching Bahasa Melayu and believe me the result is amazing. I was thinking, instead of keeping the method to myself, why not share with teachers. I believe teachers will apply what they have learned if the method is user-friendly.

If you are interested to know more about the workshop or my crossword puzzles, kindly drop me an email.