Constructive Tool: Making Learning engaging with Kahoot!

 Kahoot! Released in 2013, is an interactive learning tool that makes it easy for educators to create, share and play educational games or trivia quizzes quickly and effortlessly (Kahoot, n.d.). Integrating Kahoot! Into the teaching-learning approach can completely transform the learning experience as this platform allows teachers to create and design game-based quizzed that students can participate in real time both on their own or in groups which makes learning more engaging and fun.

I think that the most significant impact of Kahoot! was the level of enthusiasm and participation it generated. I have created a quiz on Habits and Habitats using Kahoot! and I have also participated in quizzes, and through that I have seen that learners are highly motivated to take part and give responses quickly. This effectiveness of Kahoot! lies in its competitive, game-based approach which enhances the learning outcomes by fostering engagement, participation and motivation (Wang, 2020).

Additionally, Khaoot! serves as a highly effective tool for formative assessment as it allows teachers to quickly identify areas where students have difficulty and can adjust their teaching strategies accordingly, by simply analyzing the quiz results (Kahoot!, n.d.). Furthermore, it is simple to use and its engaging visuals, the nature of games with bright colors and music can cater to different learning styles (Kahoot!, n.d.).

Despite having multiple benefits, there were some challenges too. Like any other digital tool one of the challenges I found is the issue of internet connectivity which can sometimes disrupt the flow of the game. Also, being able to balance making a game/quiz that is both enjoyable and educational can be quite challenging. Furthermore, designing games that are meaningful and engaging can take time and require careful planning to ensure that it aligns with the lesson goals

Reflecting on my experience and observation with Kahoot!, I think it is a very interesting platform which has the ability to transform the monotonous traditional teaching methods into a more engaging and interactive learning environment. While it does have some challenges, the advantages it provided far outweigh the challenges. And I think all the educators should integrate Kahoot!, not just for review sessions but as a regular ICT tool to assesses understanding and encourage teamwork.

[this image shows quiz that I have created on the topic of 'Habit and Habitats.' it showcases the colorful, interactive format of Kahoot! that makes learning both fun and engaging. Students can participate individually or in groups, testing their knowledge.]

[Short Video on how to create a quiz in Kahoot!]

References:

Kahoot!. (n.d.). Assessment with Kahoot!. Kahoot!. https://kahoot.com/schools/assessment/.

Kahoot!. (n.d.). What is Kahoot!?. Kahoot!. https://kahoot.com/what-is-kahoot/.

Kahoot!. (2020, July 1). Dozens of studies show learning benefits of using Kahoot!. Kahoot!. https://kahoot.com/blog/2020/07/01/dozens-of-studies-show-learning-benefits-of-kahoot/.