On 20th of July 2024 I did a presentation at the Puzzle Parley in Rochester NYC. It was a wonderful gathering of puzzle makers and puzzle enthusiast. I told the story of the Infinitypuzzles and afterwards I'd planed a workshop with all the 170 participants where we both told stories with the 6 piece puzzle INTRO and answered some questions I've been struggling with. Thank you for all your help.
Below you can see a summery and edit of all the answers I got and some pictures from the event.
- How might we use this to develop problem-solving skills?
- Encourage multiple approaches to solving the puzzle, emphasizing flexibility and critical thinking.
- Challenge students to discover different solutions and collaborate on creative exercises.
- Use scenarios where participants must adapt their strategies, promoting dynamic problem-solving.
- Integrate the puzzle into activities that require students to think outside the box and explore unconventional solutions.
- How might we use this in a school setting?
- Incorporate the puzzle into Math, Art, and Language classes to support interdisciplinary learning.
- Use it as a tool for Social Emotional Learning (SEL), focusing on teamwork and communication skills.
- Implement it in special education settings to support social skills development and creativity.
- Introduce it in teacher training sessions to ignite imagination and explore classroom uses.
- Use the puzzle as an icebreaker to foster collaboration and engagement among students.
- How might we integrate the puzzle with technology?
- Develop digital versions, interactive apps, and online platforms for the puzzle.
- Integrate accessibility features like color changes and dexterity-friendly options.
- Create technology-enhanced versions that include circuit integration, light patterns, and pattern games.
- Use the puzzle to solve mathematical problems or create educational apps that track combinations and encourage problem-solving.
- Develop an interactive app that guides users through assembling the puzzle or engaging in educational activities.
- How might we market the puzzle as a unique gift item?
- Target markets such as children, educators, families, and corporate clients, emphasizing the puzzle’s versatility and educational value.
- Package the puzzle with additional features like challenge booklets, character books, and storytelling tools.
- Market the puzzle in places like zoos, parks, science centers, and gift shops, focusing on themes like nature, animals, and mythical creatures.
- Create collectible sets or customizable family versions to appeal to specific audiences.
- Develop marketing strategies that highlight the puzzle as both a game and a decorative item, suitable for display and interactive play.
- What Infinitypuzzle design would you like to see?
- Explore various themes such as cityscapes, nature, mythical creatures, and abstract designs.
- Include interactive elements like double-sided pieces, customizable designs, and themes that represent diversity.
- Create simpler designs for visually impaired users, featuring plain colors and straightforward shapes.
- Develop a 3D terrain puzzle game and incorporate designs that reflect different environments and cultures.
- Offer designs that cater to specific interests, such as educational themes, fictional countries, and character-driven narratives.
- What would you do with this puzzle?
- Use it for creative, educational, and therapeutic purposes, including storytelling, play therapy, and memory building.
- Place it in various settings like offices, waiting rooms, coffee tables, and classrooms to encourage interaction.
- Promote it as a tool for social interaction, teamwork, and imaginative play.
- Use the puzzle as a fidget tool, a conversation starter, or a decorative item that can be displayed or hung.
- Create a large, lightweight version for playgrounds or use it as an interactive art piece.
- How might we use this in therapy?
- Use the puzzle as a therapeutic tool for ADHD, trauma therapy, autism, and occupational therapy.
- Incorporate it into art therapy, social interaction exercises, and storytelling sessions to help clients express themselves.
- Employ it in non-verbal communication and as a tactile activity to aid focus and grounding.
- Use the puzzle to help clients narrate their experiences, externalize problems, and explore relationships and dynamics.
- Integrate it into therapy settings as a fidget tool or a way to promote creativity and connection.
8.How could we use this in group exercises?
- Use the puzzle for team-building, problem-solving, and community-building activities in corporate and educational settings.
- Encourage participants to find multiple solutions, rearrange the puzzle for new outcomes, and explore collaborative strategies.
- Use the puzzle as an icebreaker to foster communication and interaction in groups.
- Facilitate storytelling exercises where each participant contributes to a group narrative.
- Implement the puzzle in exercises that teach rule-following, adaptability, and creative thinking.
