OLLI Course: CROSSWORDS and YOU

Course: Desc. (overview); Full; Practicum |
Instructor | Course Topics | Resources


menu xwdCourse Description

dog
"crossword helper" by qmnonic
is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Course Description: CROSSWORDS and YOU (full course)

practicumCourse Description: Crosswords: Practicum (practice-only)

  • In this practice-only* course, we will solve crosswords together as a group on a shared screen.
  • Improve your solving skills, have fun and possibly benefit memory, according to recent studies.
  • All levels of ability and previous students are welcome.
  • We'll select crosswords that vary by difficulty, size, theme type and web source.
  • While solving, we'll discuss unusual clues and interesting themes,
    with resources provided for further practice.
  • For more details about the group process, solving applications, puzzle sources,
    see CROSSWORDS and YOU: Practice
  • *Practicum: [prak-ti-kuhm] n
    "the part of a [university] course consisting of practical work in a particular field";
    related to "praxis": exercise or practice of an art, science, or skill; practical application of a theory
toddler
"Just Doing the Crosswords" by BenSpark
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Course Description: Crosswords: Sites & Solving (a subset of full couse)

  • Crosswords: Sites & Solving is a shorter [2-session] remote version based on materials
    from this longeer [5-6 session] introductory course: CROSSWORDS and YOU.
  • Would you like to find crossword puzzles that might distract, entertain or challenge you,
    and improve your solving skills?
  • Discover web sites with crossword puzzles to print or solve, and applications for solving offline.
  • Learn about vocabulary, themes and clues.
  • Practice solving crosswords together.
  • This shorter course will not discuss: benefits of solving puzzles; crossword history and culture;
    different types of crosswords; basics of constructing crosswords.

steveAbout the Instructor

Crossword Courses: Topics: Overview & Sessions

CROSSWORDS and YOU Crosswords: Sites&Solving Practicum Constructing Crosswords
  • 1. Why Solve?: Fun, Humor, Distraction, Joy, Pandemic;
    Challenge, Creativity, Problem Solving; Vocabulary,
    Language Skills; General Knowledge, Trivia;
    Financial; General Health, Cognitive Fitness;
    Relationships; Fame
  • History and Media (fiction, film, music, TV, theater)
  • Practice
  • 1. Why Construct?
  • Approach: audience; puzzle types;
    process; grid format & size;
    conventions; tools
  • Theme: brainstorm & select 'lively'
    main entries (long words or phrases)
2. ...
  • 2. Grid: place theme entries;
    arrange blocks; preserve symmetry
  • Fill: add other words -- adjust
    theme placement and/or grid
3. ...
  • 3. Clues: craft imaginative,
    challenging clues
crosswords hints
  • 4. Publish: review, revise, format,
    submit (and wait)
  • 6. WordPlay movie documentary; optional
WikiWordplay
WikiWordplay by Greg Williams,
CC BY-SA, via Wikimedia Commons

Course Resources