Because medical terminology requires a lot of memorization, teaching it to students can frequently feel overwhelming. But group activities make the process much more enjoyable, engaging, and effective. I've discovered that when students work together, they are more likely to remember new vocabulary since they are actively applying it in problem-solving and conversation rather than just passively reading or listening. Matching games, role-playing exercises, and "medical terminology charades," in which one group plays out or describes a word while others guess, are a few examples of group activities. Another interesting idea is dividing the class up into smaller groups and assigning each team a case study with the task of defining, identifying, and explaining the terms used in the scenario. I plan to put this into practice in my classroom by adding supporting yet competitive components. For example, I'll design team-based tasks in which students receive points for correctly defining phrases or contextualizing medical terminology. In this manner, rather than merely memorizing words, students will acquire them in a way that seems engaging and memorable.
