Puzzles and Brain Teasers In Nursing Education
Introduction
Nursing education is an evolving field where innovative teaching techniques are essential to engage students and enhance critical thinking skills. One such approach is the use of games, puzzles, and brain teasers, which not only break the ice in large classes but also stimulate interest in complex subjects. This article explores how games, puzzles, and brain teasers can be effectively integrated into nursing education to promote active learning and improve retention of key concepts.
Starting with Games, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers
General Description
At the beginning of a class, instructors can display a puzzle, game, or brain teaser on an overhead projector or PowerPoint screen. This strategy is particularly useful in large classes, where managing discussions and participation can be challenging. Games and puzzles provide an engaging activity for early arrivals or students who may not know each other well, fostering a more relaxed classroom environment. Instructors may also pass out paper-based puzzles to get students thinking critically about the subject matter before the lecture begins.
Preparation and Equipment
To implement this strategy, instructors only need to gather relevant puzzles, games, or brain teasers. These can be displayed audiovisually or distributed on paper. Finding the right brain teasers that align with the course material can be a straightforward task, as many resources are readily available online or in teaching guides.
Example of the Strategy at Work
For example, boxes 2-2 and 2-3 of a pharmacology textbook might include brain teasers specifically designed to test pharmacology calculation skills. Students are presented with a puzzle that challenges them to solve real-world nursing problems, such as dosage calculations, which helps to reinforce critical thinking skills and the practical application of theoretical knowledge.
Use of Games, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers in Nursing Education
Application in Various Subjects
While brain teasers and puzzles have proven effective in subjects like pharmacology, they can be used in virtually any area of nursing education that involves complex concepts or difficult-to-understand topics. They are particularly useful in areas that students may find challenging, such as critical care, pathophysiology, and clinical decision-making. By turning abstract or difficult material into a game, students are encouraged to engage more actively with the subject matter.
Practical Implementation
One practical way to integrate brain teasers is to email the questions to students before class and ask them to bring their answers to the next session. Alternatively, students can be asked to solve the puzzles orally in class, with prizes awarded to those who provide correct answers. This method can be combined with other strategies, such as the “Admit Ticket,” where students must solve a brain teaser before being allowed into the lecture.
Additionally, instructors can send brain teasers to students as part of the confirmation letter or registration materials for the course. These puzzles stimulate interest in the upcoming topic and provide an early opportunity to engage with the material. Students can be asked to discuss their answers in class as an icebreaker activity, further encouraging participation.
Posting brain teasers on a class or organizational website, and offering small incentives for those who solve them correctly before the next class, can also enhance engagement. For example, brain teasers used in class could be included as extra credit options on exams, rewarding attendance and punctuality, as well as memory retention.
Impact on Learning
Introducing brain teasers, particularly challenging ones, can have a positive impact on students’ perceptions of difficult topics. By presenting a puzzle that appears daunting at first but is ultimately solvable, students gain confidence in their ability to tackle more complex material. This sense of accomplishment helps to reduce anxiety around academically challenging content, making topics seem less formidable.
Critical thinking tests that incorporate puzzles and brain teasers relevant to nursing practice can also be adapted for use in any nursing class. These exercises help students practice decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skills, all of which are essential in the nursing profession.
Promoting Teamwork: “Common and Different” Icebreaker
General Description
Another interactive strategy that complements the use of games and puzzles is the “Common and Different” exercise, a favorite icebreaker for nursing students who may not know each other well. In this activity, students are asked to form pairs or small groups and identify four similarities and four unique characteristics among themselves.
This exercise is an excellent way to foster collegiality and teamwork among nursing students, as it requires them to delve into each other’s lives to discover commonalities and differences. Topics such as gender, occupation, marital status, and parenting experience are often discussed, helping students to build bonds that last throughout the course.
Preparation and Equipment
One of the most appealing aspects of the “Common and Different” strategy is its simplicity. The only preparation required is a brief explanation or a PowerPoint slide outlining the instructions. No special equipment is needed, making it an easy and effective way to get students interacting from the start of class.
Example of the Strategy at Work
For nursing clinical groups or orientation sessions where students may not know each other well, this exercise serves as a valuable tool to bring people together. After the exercise, instructors can stimulate further discussion by asking, “Which was harder, finding commonalities or finding differences?” This question often leads to insightful conversations about group dynamics and the diversity within the class.
The exercise can also serve as a bridge to more in-depth discussions on cultural, ethical, or professional topics, as students recognize the importance of both shared experiences and unique perspectives in nursing practice.
Modifying the Exercise
The flexibility of the “Common and Different” strategy allows instructors to modify it to fit the class size, time frame, and learning objectives. It can be conducted in pairs, trios, or even larger groups. Instructors can also adjust the number of commonalities or differences required, tailoring the exercise to suit the time available. This activity can even be used to open meetings or professional development sessions, helping participants—whether they know each other or not—discover new insights about their colleagues.
Conclusion
Games, puzzles, brain teasers, and icebreakers like “Common and Different” offer dynamic and engaging ways to enhance nursing education. These strategies not only make learning more interactive but also foster critical thinking, collaboration, and long-term retention of complex material. Whether through a brain teaser that challenges pharmacology skills or an icebreaker that promotes teamwork, these methods can significantly enrich the nursing classroom experience, leading to improved learning outcomes and a more cohesive student community.