New Tool: Kahoot!

What is Kahoot!? 

Kahoot! is a game-based online learning platform. It is a user friendly tool that allows teachers to quickly create different quizzes. The program allows users to ask multiple choice and true or false questions. It also allows users to create different polls. Khoot! is very customizable. Users can determine the length someone has to answer the question and can include pictures and videos. While you can upgrade Kahoot! and receive more question variety, the free version has everything a teacher would need for an interactive and fun experience for their class. 

How does it work?

User can either choose from templates that Kahoot! provides or create their own. When creating a Kahoot! users pick the style of question, how long they would like participants to have when answering and how many points it would be worth in the game. Users can also upload pictures and videos that relate to the question. You also have the ability to pull from already made Kahoot!'s and edit the questions so they can work best for your classroom. When you are finished creating your Kahoot! you can share the link with colleagues or get reading to play with you classroom. In order to play, students will need some sort of electronic devise. From the teachers screen a code will appear and then students can go to kahoot.it to type in the code. The questions and answer options will appear on the hosts screen and students will be able to select their guess on their device. 

How I use it in my classroom:

Kahoot! is a tool that I use frequently to engage my students. Whether it is something simple like reviewing expectations or practicing math facts, students get incredibly excited when they get to use this tool. One way I have been using it in my classroom is by allowing students to create their own. As a math extension students can pick a skill we have learned in class such as, multiplication, tape diagrams, or telling time on a clock and create their own Kahoot! Once they are finished I preview their work and then we play it as a class. This allows students to challenge themselves and then our whole class can benefit by reviewing skills we have already learned. 

Tips:

• The first couple times I use Kahoot! in class I keep the content simple. Basic questions that are accessible to my whole class. This allows students to get confident and comfortable with the tool and how it works. 
• Go over expectations A LOT the first few times your class plays! Since students can receive points for speed and accuracy it is important to talk about being a good sport and that the purpose is to have fun. 
• After each question Kahoot! shows a leader board and tells students what place they are in. During this time I have kids raise their hands if they want to share with the class. They may share that they are having a "correct answer streak" or what place they are in. Having a designated time to share with the class helps controls the students volumes.

How could it work in your classroom:

• For Fun: 
• Basic trivia
• Reviewing school expectations 
• Leading up to a holiday 
• Questions about their classmates

• Academic: 
• Checking comprehension from a class read aloud
• Practicing math facts fluency
• Allowing students to make a Kahoot! about skills they have learned in class.