Curating Resources #3 - Kahoot!

This week, we were tasked with finding a tool that serves well when used as an assessment for learning and an assessment as learning. The resource that I have selected this week is likely one of the most exciting resources that I have written about to date. It is the multiple choice clicker sensation...

(Image taken from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/bee/study/play-kahoot/)

Kahoot is a clicker-style assessment tool designed by teachers for the purposes of displaying the general level of understanding present within their student population. Kahoot is free for teachers to use, allowing them to customize the questions that they will present to the students to assess the knowledge that has been covered in class. Alternatively, teachers are able to pull upon pre-existing Kahoot (quiz) made by others if they require. As Kahoot would ideally be used to determine if their students are understanding the concepts, the teacher can pose questions to the class that are achievable within a 30 second time limit, removing the chances that a student is able to seek external help. Teachers can get a fairly accurate representation of where their students stand, and can consolidate answers that their class may be struggling with.

One of the selling points of Kahoot is that the students get excited to answer; not only are the students given points for correct answers, but the students are anonymously competing against each other for first place. Thus, students feel confident in attempting to get the right answer.

Students are able to access Kahoot on their phones, tablets, or on a Chromebook, which makes the service relatively accessible within class time. However, if the school lacks internet access, this service is sadly unavailable, posing the main issue with Kahoot.

Since Kahoot only serves as an assessment of learning and for learning through consolidation, it is important that the teacher follows up the quiz with more structured instructional strategies to ensure that the information sticks beyond the class. This means that the quizzes often only act as interest-grabbers, rather than a fail-safe tool for assessment. However, it does this incredibly well, so there's not much to complain about there. I'll admit: I've been a huge fan of Kahoot, and I can't help but share my excitement with my students when it is in the lesson plan. I can't wait to incorporate it in my future lessons!