1. Using Tarsia software
as a revision aid

2. So what is this?
By scanned by Open Clip Art Library user Johnny Automatic [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

3. A really useful software package available to download for free!
Jérémy Barande [CC BY-SA 3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons
Originally devised for teaching maths

4. Download the software at:
Produced by Hermitech Laboratory
Download the software at:
Latest version is 3.9 (10.2 MB)
Alternatively Google search
‘Hermitech Tarsia’

5. So what does it actually do?
Creates a range of jigsaws involving matching up key words and definitions
Triangle, hexagon, rhombus, rectangle, square, parallelogram and parquet shapes

6. How much content ? Between 12 and 30 key words and definitions
PDF manual included
(not needed as software is very intuitive)
Takes only 30 minutes to produce a resource!

7. Open Tarsia and click on File ‘New’ The dialogue box above appears
Getting started
Open Tarsia and click on File ‘New’
The dialogue box above appears

8. Click on Standard Triangular Jigsaw
Getting started
Click on Standard Triangular Jigsaw

9. This dialogue box now appears
Select Text from the ‘Style’ drop- down menu

10. Now we are up and running!
Type the definition of the key word above into this box
Type a key word into this box
Or do it the other way round – it doesn’t actually matter!

11. Example using mineralogy exercise
Definition
Key word or
technical term

12. Move on to the next input tile
These are the tiles in order, simply click on the next one to enter more data sets

13. Keep going until all tiles are complete
Once complete, proofread the tile data by clicking the Table icon at the bottom of the screen

14. Example of table data which can be proofread before printing

15. Click on the Output button to see how the exercise will look in print

16. This is a three-page printout which will be cut into 18 separate triangles

17. Click on the Solution button to see how the assembled triangles will look

18. Solution printout is useful for checking student answers

19. Show students the ‘blank solution pattern’ before letting them start the exercise

20. Top tips for your students 1
Lay the triangles out in rows with the greatest amount of text arranged horizontally at the bottom. Single words or short phrases are easier to read at an angle or upside down.

21. Top tips for your students 2
Triangles with only two phrases/definitions occupy outside positions in a completed structure. Separate triangles into two groups – those with two and those with three phrases/definitions.

22. Triangles with only two sides of text2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

23. Triangles with all three sides of text3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

24. Example of a correct solution
OK , so it is now your turn
Example of a correct solution

25. Now it’s your turn!