Referencing Jigsaws

(P D Magnus, http://laser.fontmonkey.com/foe/) 

A variation on something I know a few people do, this one!  As a way of teaching referencing you can create a reference, print it out, split into component parts (i.e. cut the paper up!) and ask members of the class to put the reference back together to check they know what goes where...

This takes that idea and turns it into a game.

1) For four teams, would need a minimum of 10 “easy references (1 point); 5 each of others (2, 3, 4 & 5 point difficulty) – i.e. 30 cards.
2) A series of references (in your libraries preferred style) split into a series of constituent parts, would be contained in a closed envelope. Each paired with the reference written out in full as a crib sheet for the instructor(!). Some would be very easy (punctuation included, standard book) increasing to incredibly hard (conference proceeding with punctuation separate). Easiest worth 1 point. Hardest worth 5. Value is written on the outside of the envelope.
3) Split into teams (up to 4).
4) First team gets to choose a 5 different packs (take turns to do so) from the “pool” of references - so  choose to gamble whether to go for easy or hard ones.
5) The teams are allowed to open up and work on up to two of their references at a time, so if they get stuck they can work on another and go back to the “stuck” one later - but can't open them all at a time!
6) When they declare one complete, they can open the next.
7) Each team gets 3 minutes to complete as many references as possible. When the time is up, check the references against a master list and allocate points accordingly. The team with the highest number of points win.

For less able classes, if the instructor wishes, could allow teams to have a referencing handbook each to help...

This could also work online - or using smart board software.

Key points:

Use: To check and re-inforce referencing knowledge 
Format: Paper / card "jigsaws"
Time to play: 5-10 minutes (including checking who has won!)
Players: 4 groups of up to 5 people - larger classes would require a larger number of reference envelopes to choose from in the ratio suggested above.