Kahoot!

There are so many technologies out there that can be used in the classroom to promote social interaction and collaboration. However, the teacher must be sure they are using the technologies to enhance their teaching, not as a mean for entertainment. Digital technology can make education more effective WHEN used appropriately. That is the key.

Kahoot! is no exception. Kahoot! is a game based educational technology that can be used for quizzes, surveys, discussions, and friendly competition. Teachers are able to create a free account and make their own platform for learning. It covers all subject areas and can be applicable for all grade levels. Teachers can make their own or use existing quizzes made by other teachers. There are a variety of ways to set up the quiz; multiple choice, ordering, polling the class. It is about how you as the teacher use it to make it effective in your content area.

Students are able to play against each other and receive scores for answering questions right or answering multiple questions right in order. This is a good way to promote friendly competition in the classroom and it keeps it kind of fun for the students. It is a win-win in that regard because who doesn’t like to win and learn at the same time!! Students can play individually or as a team to problem solve.

Kahoot! can be used to assess students prior knowledge, help them review materials, emphasize important concepts, or use as a post lesson / unit assessment to see the progress made. The teacher is able to see what the student knows when they are asking questions that are structured correctly and align with the learning objectives. Kahoot! is not a way to teach new concepts or material as the teacher must do that with their instruction. Kahoot! is a way to support the learning that is done in class. The teacher must know where their students are at so they can make a platform that is most effective to their students. If a teacher does not ask appropriate questions or break up the questions in the most constructive way, Kahoot! will do nothing to foster learning. On Kahoot!, teachers are able to view their game report and track results. After the teacher sees where their students are at, they should plan and instruct lessons that best support the learning needs of the students and the objectives to maximize the learning that is taking place. That goes for all technologies (I know I said it earlier, but that’s how important that is!).

Kahoot! is available online accessible with a computer, tablet, or phone. They also have an app that is available for free that can be downloaded. Check out the Kahoot! quiz that I made for a second grade math lesson!!

https://create.kahoot.it/share/math/f0763271-8f0c-47b0-bffb-85951c0e6a5c

Lets get playing!