I am using Kahoot in my classroom as a way to review for our Topic 6 test this week.
Kahoot is an online software/app that allows for students to
play a formative assessment game. Kahoot is a modern day take on the clicker
systems of the recent past. Unlike those similar systems Kahoot allows users to
create their own accounts and use their own devices. Users can pay on PCs,
tablets, phones, almost anything with an internet connection is compatible. As
a teacher, I use Kahoot quite regularly in my classroom for quick feedback.
Questions are solely comprised of multiple choice answers and it is extremely
quick to create and customize an assessment for your students. Kahoot also
allows teachers to browse through previous generated assessments by other users
and use them. Once an assessment is created or chosen. A teacher allows
students to view a code that students use to enter the online game room. Once
inside an registered students are able to compete with other users
simultaneously. The questions can be displayed on a centralized screen such as
a projector and the students can progress through the assessment in a variety
of ways. Upon answering a question, points are awarded based on correctness and
time taken to respond. This score helps to rank students in an informal
competition. Kahoot is an actively evolving program with new additions being
added regularly.
Kahoot does have a few drawbacks. Questions are only
available in a Multiple choice format which can make it difficult to use as the
DOK levels increase. Kahoot is also not the easiest program of is genre to edit
and/or modify assessments. There are several other similar programs that made
this process more fluid and user friendly.
Overall, Kahoot is one of my favorite formative assessment
programs that allow me to review for tests, pre-test students, or modify the
instruction on the fly based on data about student understanding or background
knowledge.
Thank for this resource! I am always looking for new ways to quickly assess my students. I like the point system you have described. My students seem more engaged when there is a competition involved. It is great that you described some cons about the application, so I am aware of them before I even start using it. Hopefully, as they continue to make changes, it will become a little more user friendly, and they will allow more format options.
ReplyDeleteLeAnn,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really cool program. I bet some of the students really like the game aspect of it. Hopefully they do not get to see the others ranking. I think I may try this in my reviews before state testing. Thanks!
LeeAnn,
ReplyDeleteMy brother was JUST talking about this resource. They actually used it during his College Program training with UPS- cool fact to show your kids that businesses use it as well. I'm really considering using it next year once my students have 1:1 access.
Kahoot is a great way to maintain interest -- I think you'll like ti a lot. I would also suggest that you try a site called socrative.com. It tones the competitive edge a bit, but allows for more complicated questions. And you can download questions from a huge bank that teacher upload. Also try Quizlet - good luck!
ReplyDelete