Chelmsford teacher's homemade word game attracts 2,500 plays in just three weeks
A word game created by a Chelmsford teacher has attracted more than 2,500 plays in approximately three weeks, turning a personal technology project into a growing online challenge.
EXPANDAGRAM, developed by teacher Paul Heard, challenges players to create as many words as possible from three letters in just 60 seconds.
The free online game has already attracted thousands of plays, with its creator now exploring how the concept could also help pupils develop their vocabulary in the classroom.
How does EXPANDAGRAM work?
The rules are simple, but the challenge can be surprisingly difficult.
Players are given three letters and must find words containing those letters in the correct order.
Additional letters can be placed before, between or after the original three letters, provided their order is maintained.
Players have just 60 seconds to discover as many valid words as possible, with longer words earning additional points.
The original three letters can also be rearranged to create a different challenge.
It's a quick-fire test of vocabulary, spelling and lateral thinking that can be played during a coffee break or between other activities.
A daily challenge for word game fans
Following the launch of EXPANDAGRAM, Paul has also introduced DailyGRAM, a daily version of the game.
Everyone receives the same three letters and has one 60-second attempt to achieve their highest score.
The shared challenge means players can compare their results with friends, family or colleagues.
Paul also publishes his own score, giving players the opportunity to try to beat the game's creator.
The daily format offers a quick alternative for people who enjoy online word puzzles but don't necessarily have time for a longer game.
From personal project to classroom activity
Although EXPANDAGRAM began as a project to explore how to turn an idea into a working product, its educational potential has become an increasingly important part of its development.
Paul has suggested that DailyGRAM could provide a one-minute starter activity for school lessons.
Teachers could display the three letters to an entire class, allowing pupils to work individually or in teams without everyone needing access to a device.
The words discovered during the challenge could then be used for further learning activities, including:
- Building vocabulary banks.
- Exploring prefixes, suffixes and word families.
- Identifying nouns, verbs and adjectives.
- Discussing unfamiliar words.
- Creating poems or short pieces of writing.
Paul is also considering printable resources and other activities that would allow the concept to be used away from a screen.
Thousands of plays in three weeks
According to a local report published on October 8, EXPANDAGRAM recorded more than 2,500 plays in approximately three weeks.
While that figure represents plays rather than necessarily 2,500 individual users, it is an encouraging early response for a game developed as an independent project.
The addition of a daily challenge could also encourage players to return regularly and compete for better scores.
Where can I play EXPANDAGRAM?
Both EXPANDAGRAM and the new DailyGRAM challenge can be accessed online for free.
Play EXPANDAGRAM and DailyGRAM here
Whether you're a keen word-game enthusiast, a teacher looking for a quick classroom activity or simply someone who enjoys testing their vocabulary, the Chelmsford-created game offers a new challenge.
And with just 60 seconds on the clock, there's always the temptation to have another go.