Kahoot!
What is it?
Kahoot! is a website where educators may create and teach free interactive lessons. Kahoot! can be used from any device (through the website or the app), making learning fun and inclusive in all contexts for all ages. Teachers can create multiple choice games related to class content that students can play as a class by entering the game code on their app or device. Kahoot! offers a multitude of other forms of games related to class content that can make learning fun.
Where can I find it?
Lesson Overview: The Renaissance and Reformation
Lesson procedure
In this lesson, Kahoot! will be used as a review tool in order to prepare for an end of unit test.
Step 1: Make them do the work. Students are separated into groups of 4. Each group is instructed to create a 10-question quiz about the material they've been studying. They are asked to make questions that are challenging, but not impossible. The teacher will act as referee, calling foul if questions are too hard or too off topic.
Step 2: Kahoot! Madness Brackets Depending on how many groups of 4 you have in the class, create a bracket system by randomly assigning each group a number. In this example I have eight groups of four, and show the bracket lineup on this right. In the first round, Group 1 will compete against Group 2, Group 3 versus Group 4, and so on. As a bonus the four winning teams will earn an extra credit point on their test. In the second round, four teams will compete and the winning two teams will earn another extra credit point. Finally, the last two teams will compete. The winning team will end the day with three bonus points on their upcoming test.
Step 3: Rules of the game You want to make sure all members of the team are involved, but that the game is simple enough and fast enough so that you can get through all the rounds in one class period. One group will present their game first. The competing group will choose one team member to be the answerer, but the entire team will help pick the correct response. When they have completed all 10 questions they will write down their score and then the teams will switch roles. When the competing group has completed their 10 questions, the team with the highest score will progress to the next round.
Step 4: What to do with the "Losers" I use the word “losers” here with love. You want them engaged and learning…but technically, their game time is over. In order to keep them involved you can give them an opportunity to win some extra credit as well by choosing a team and cheering it on. The rules are simple – choose one team only, stand behind them so we know you’re giving them your support, and no moving once the game has started. The non-playing students will like the idea of still having a chance to win some bonus points and the room will take on a fun, competitive vibe!
UDL Adaptations / Modifications
Personalized Learning
Teachers have the option to enable personalized learning within Kahoot! Immediately after a live game ends, each player will be prompted to start personalized learning:
Step 1 The Kahoot! app will prompt the player to repeat any questions they answered incorrectly. If all questions were answered correctly in the live game, step 1 is instantly complete.
Step 2 After step 1 is completed, the Kahoot! app will notify the player that step 2 is unlocked. They will replay the entire game as a single player at their own pace. They must retake questions answered incorrectly until all are correctly answered.
Learner-paced challenges
Teachers have the option to change the time limit for questions, making it easier for students to move through the questions at their own pace. Also, a self-paced Kahoot! is not limited by walls or hours, which opens up many possibilities. With the questions and answers on learners’ screens, this new way to play increases focus, promotes accuracy over speed, and decreases guesswork. This is why they’re especially helpful for review and practice of important content.