Students' Satisfaction Regarding the Application of Crossword Puzzles During the Online Teaching Practice of Medical Physiology: A Promising Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The coronavirus has hit the world and has led to substantial changes in all aspects of life. One of the important affected aspects is the teaching and learning process. Most of the learning authorities including King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh branch, have shifted to distant and online learning to avoid social contact and spreading the viral infection. Creating an interesting and interactive environment via online learning became necessary to attract the students' attention and sharing in the online sessions was, therefore, crucial.

Methods: Crossword puzzles were created using an online tool. A questionnaire that assesses the satisfaction of the students regarding the application of the online puzzle was built and medical education experts did the content validity. Lectures were given online via the blackboard ultra-collaborate system followed by a brief session for solving the crossword puzzle. Students were given five minutes to think and prepare their answers and then they solved the puzzle via the chat window and the teacher corrected them. The questionnaire was sent to students in a Google form. Statistical analysis was followed using SPSS software.

Results: No major gender differences in students' satisfaction levels. 75.7% strongly agreed that games are an interesting and enthusiastic method in physiology education. 78.4% strongly agreed that games are an effective tool of communication between the teacher and students. 70.3% strongly agreed: crossword puzzle is an interesting interactive online educational tool. 64.9% strongly agreed that puzzles helped them to memorize the definitions and terminologies in physiology. 78.4% strongly agreed that crossword puzzles are a good addition to the educational practice of physiology.

Conclusion: The crossword puzzle is considered a good tool for promoting an interesting, interactive online educational practice. The presence of no major gender difference in the students' satisfaction regarding this tool casts light on the importance of interactive, enjoyable, and creative teaching practice particularly during the stigmata of epidemics.