A fascinating study published in the Journal of Effective Teaching in Higher Education challenges the popular educational theory that “creating” is always superior to “consuming.” While the benefits of solving crosswords are well-documented, this research investigates a more complex question: Do students learn more when they have to design the puzzles themselves?
The study, titled “Crossword Puzzles and Knowledge Retention“ (Torres et al., 2022), explores whether the deep processing required to construct clues and grids leads to better test scores than simply solving puzzles created by peers.
The Hypothesis: Construction vs. Consumption
The researchers followed students in a research course across two different institutions and three semesters. The experimental design was unique:
- The “Creator” Mode: Students were given the option to create their own blank crossword puzzles based on the course material. This required them to identify key concepts, formulate definitions (clues), and structure the grid.
- The “Solver” Mode: Students solved puzzles created by their peers or instructors.
The hypothesis was rooted in “constructionism”—the idea that building a public artifact (like a puzzle) forces a deeper level of synthesis and understanding than passive review.
The Findings: A Reality Check for Gamification
The results were surprisingly mixed, serving as a reminder that educational tools are rarely “one size fits all.”
- Context is King: The effectiveness of puzzle creation varied wildly depending on the specific institution, the semester, and the structure of the program. There was no universal “boost” in test scores for the creators.
- Perception vs. Reality: Students consistently reported enjoying the creative process. They felt engaged and believed it was helping them learn. However, this positive sentiment did not always correlate with higher scores on the final quizzes.
- The Verdict: The study concluded that while gamification increases student satisfaction, it doesn’t automatically guarantee better retention unless the activity is perfectly aligned with the assessment methods.
How to Apply This to Your Own Learning
For independent learners, these findings suggest a hybrid approach. Relying solely on one method leaves gaps in your cognitive armor.
- Use “Solving” for Speed: Solving is excellent for testing recall and identifying what you don’t
- Use “Creation” for Depth: Creating is better for synthesizing complex topics where you need to understand the relationship between definitions.
Essential Tools for the Hybrid Learner
To test these methods yourself, you can toggle between “Solver” and “Creator” modes using these digital resources.
1. For Solving (Active Retrieval)
When you are testing your knowledge, the worst outcome is hitting a “dead end” and giving up. Tools that keep the flow going are essential.
- crossword.guru: This is your safety net. If you are solving a difficult puzzle and get stuck on a specific term, this tool acts as a “smart helper.” It allows you to find the answer based on the letters you know, turning a moment of frustration into a moment of learning (“Oh, that’s what that word means!”).
- The Washington Post Crosswords: A reliable source for high-quality daily puzzles that vary in difficulty, perfect for consistent practice.
2. For Creating (Deep Processing)
If you want to test the “Creator” hypothesis, try taking your study notes and turning them into a game for a friend or study group.
- Crossword Labs: The fastest way to build a puzzle. You simply type your word and your clue (e.g., “Mitochondria : Powerhouse of the cell”), and it instantly generates a playable, shareable URL.
- Armored Penguin: A more powerful generator that offers control over grid density and size. This is ideal if you have a massive vocabulary list (e.g., 50+ terms) that you need to fit into a single sheet.
3. For Alternative Gamification
- Quizlet: If the rigid structure of a crossword grid feels too limiting for your subject, Quizlet offers similar “active recall” benefits through its “Match” and “Gravity” games, which are easier to set up than a full crossword.
Conclusion
The Torres et al. study is a valuable check on our assumptions about learning. It proves that how you use a tool matters more than the tool itself. By alternating between the role of the “Architect” (creating puzzles with Crossword Labs) and the “Player” (solving them with help from Crossword.guru), you can leverage the best of both worlds for maximum retention.
