Enjoy teaching and learning with Kahoot!

Last week, we tried different game-based learning tools and the most interesting one from my own perspective  was Kahoot!. I’m glad to have this chance to introduce it and I hope you enjoy it like I do! 😉

🌻Introduction

Icard (2014) believes that game-based learning is a impressive way to encourage students to review the classroom content. With the development of science and technology, it has become a reality to bring high-tech products into the classroom. Teachers need to consider the possibilities and benefits of using different new technologies in the classroom. In this case, a variety of auxiliary teaching apps and websites came into being and Kahoot! is one of the best.

🌻Kahoot! --- What is Kahoot!

Kahoot! is an online test platform which adds game elements into the classroom. The platform creates an interesting learning space for participants to complete information transmission and test through interaction. No matter who you are, maybe teachers, students or businessmen, you can design and answer questions on Kahoot!, the online platform. 

The website of Kahoot! is https://create.kahoot.it/

🌻Kahoot! with classroom --- Why should we choose Kahoot!

• Interactive: the multi-screen interaction of on mobile terminal is a major feature of Kahoot!. By allowing students to participate in the "quick quiz" through the digital game-based learning, we (teachers) can easily create a relatively relaxing and fun class environment. We can also collect students' answer datas in this way to understand students' learning.

• Free: Kahoot!, as a creative platform, has a high level of freedom. Not only teachers, but also students can use it. It is very convenient to make questions by yourself for the purposes of self-assessment and mutual assessment. You can also make great achievements in the classroom of group cooperation (such as making questions and assessment among groups), which helps to stimulate students' creativity and motivation.

• Simple: Although Kahoot! is an English website, it is easy to operate and easy to use for people from all over the world. Users do not need to download the app. Any mobile devices with internet can access this website, which makes Kahoot! a highly compatible platform.

🌻Kahoot! with design --- How to use Kahoot!

1.  Log in to your account (if not, register first, remember to choose the identity of the teacher), and then click "Create" in the top right-hand corner of the webpage.

2. Click "Create new kahoot" in the new page.

3. The new interface is as follows. You can design the type of question you want and other details (including answer time, question score, etc.) in the options on the right side.

4. Input the question content you designed into the page. You can also insert or drag/ pictures or videos. When designing options, the correct answer needs to be selected as the correct option, so that the system can accurately identify whether the answer is correct or not after students answering.

5. Select "Add question" on the left side and repeat step 3 and step 4 until all the questions are finished.

6. Check whether there is something wrong with the content, and then click "Save" in the top right-hand corner to save your design.

7. The designed quiz can be found in "Library". In class, the teacher can click "play" and then select "start". "Player vs Player" or "Team vs Team" depends on your choice. You will receive a PIN code which is displayed on the screen and students join the activity/quiz by visiting Kahoot! and entering the PIN code and a “name” they will use for the quiz. 

8. Finally you can start the game!

🌻Kahoot! with China --- Is it suitable for Chinese students?

In Chinese traditional English teaching class, It is always teacher-centred. Sometimes, teachers will give students to do group (or pair) activities, which can not fully mobilize the enthusiasm of students, especially younger learners, to learn English. However, Kahoot! can enhance classroom interaction and avoid the disadvantages brought by the one-way teaching method. It can make students acquire and learn knowledge more actively.

Moreover, as mentioned above, with the rapid development of science and technology, more and more scientific and technological products are brought into the classroom, which lays the foundation for the use of digital game-based tools. Some schools in China will distribute tablet computers to students to assist their learning in classroom. 

🌻Limitations

• Electronic equipment is required. Considering the different affordability of each student's family, it may be unrealistic to require every student to bring a mobile phone or tablet to school. Moreover, many schools in China prohibit taking electronic devices to school in order to prevent students from playing mobile phones in class.

• Do not always rely on digital game-based learning. Not all tasks are suitable to be designed as games, and games can not be played at any time in class. The main principle is to find the balance point.

🌻Conclusion

Kahoot! pays attention to the process of answering questions with games. It adds vitality into the classroom and make learning more interesting. However, as mentioned before, this does not mean that it can be used at any time and any where. The most important thing is to cooperate with the teacher's teaching content with Kahoot!. Try to use it flexibly.

At last, I want to share the quiz that I design by Kahoot!. The link is https://create.kahoot.it/share/practice-for-present-progressive/fc415d8b-e969-4eb2-acb5-b82a7d0666b2 . These questions are related to my peer teaching class. Enjoy! Looking forward to your comments and suggestions!😊

Reference:

Ryan, D., & South, K. (2015). Kahoot! A digital game resource for learning. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 12(4), 49-52.

Review of Zhenya Polosatova's Blog

 Last Friday I read about Zhenya Polosatova's blog. And I think it's very useful. :)

Organisation and Layout

Overall, the organization of the whole blog is very clear and well-organised. However, the home page shows 13 posts published by the author recently (if I don't count them wrong), which is a little too much. It may be better to reduce the posts displayed on the first page. 

Another problem is that click the second and third subtitle below the picture on the home page, but there is no content in it. But click subtitle"About", the reader could get more information about the author.

 

Content and Features

This blog mainly shows the author's thoughts and reflections on language teaching and training. Sometimes, she will also share some PPT slides designed by the author herself or record the questions and answers with others. On the whole, they are closely related to English learning and training.

In every post, the key words will be written in bold or highlighted. Moreover, the author matches the post with interesting pictures which is related to the content, in order to not make the content look too boring and attract the eyes of readers. 

Ease of use and Navigation

On the right side of the home page, navigation is classified not only by chronological order of publishing time, but also by specific content, which can make it easier for readers to find the content they want.

Readers can also use keyword search in the top right-hand corner to find the content they want to dig more.

Target Audience

Clearly, this blog's readers are mainly ELT teachers and trainers (also students who are interested in this area) who eager to share their opinions and learn from each other.

Summary

Overall, this is an excellent blog, from which readers can learn a lot of useful experience. I hope I can write and share high-quality content like this author and discuss interesting ideas and experiences of ELT with others. :)

Here is a video that I want to share with you guys about how to write a blog. Its title is "HOW TO WRITE A BLOG POST FOR BEGINNERS: Tips To Create AMAZING Blog Posts From The Start". The suggestions (except the content from 4:13 to 5:52 )in it are very useful and I do recommend to watch it.😊