Hello readers. In today's post, I'm going to introduce another technology to be used and might be useful for teaching and learning.
Isn't this picture familiar to any of us? For me, yes! I used to play jigsaw puzzles when I was younger than I am now because I don't think I can spend much time in front of these small pieces and putting them together anymore. However, little did we know or care that jigsaw puzzle is actually beneficial for our brains as adults?
Based on a website that I read, solving puzzles helps to improve memory especially short-term memory. Besides, it helps us to think critically to solve problems which could enhance our problem-solving skills, especially when there's timer! Other than that, we can also improve visual-spatial reasoning.
When solving a jigsaw puzzle, we have to look at different pieces and figuring out where they fit within the larger picture.
In addition, jigsaw puzzle could increase IQ, delay symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's, improve mood, lower stress levels, increase attention to details as well as provide more education opportunities.
However, the rising question is, does the children of this decade still prefer jigsaw puzzle when they have tablets and computers in front of them? The answer may be right or may be no. To be optimistic, we know that everything has evolve towards IR 4.0. Hence, the industry has provide these children with digital jigsaw puzzle. As an educator, we can create our own jigsaw puzzle and distribute them to the students. Remember, one of the advantages of jigsaw puzzle is provide education opportunities? This is what I meant by that.
Introducing you, Jigsaw Planet! After registering (it's free), you can create your very own puzzle!
1. Go to Create.
2. Insert the image you want the students to solve.
3. Name it.
4. Choose the level how you want it to be in the form of pieces. The easiest would be 4 pieces and the hardest would be 290 pieces. Thus, the range of the puzzle is 4-290 pieces depending on their level of capability.
5. Choose shape. You may not want to choose the ordinary shape of jigsaw puzzle to create more exciting atmosphere!
6. Put them into an album which I can say more like a folder to sort of these puzzles and do some tagging so that more people can get access to it.
7. Don't forget to click Create!
Once you have finished, you may want to view or test it by yourself first whether it meets your criteria or not. Below is how it looks like before you solve it!
Within 2:30, I managed to finish!
You can also change the background colour as follows:
Most importantly, you can also use from the existing puzzles because there are thousands of them and they're free! Sometimes, it's fun to actually ponder upon these pieces to keep ourselves away from a hectic schedule. Our minds need break as much as our body do. By doing so, our mind will be in a diffused mood which could effectively help us when we want to optimize our brains for focused mood, based on Dr. Barbara Oakley.
I think that's all for now. Creating jigsaw puzzle is on the tip of your finger.
Thank you for reading, x.