Learned as you read! Teach vocabulary and grammar using Kahoot!
For language teachers, one headache problem could be the demotivated students in their classes, especially when they are learning new vocabularies and grammar rules. While nowadays, technology could help them out of it, one digital game-based online learning platform-Kahoot, has become increasingly popular in classrooms. Research also shows that Kahoot has a positive effect on promoting students' interest and engagement (Wang, 2015).
So what is Kahoot?
Kahoot is a game-based interactive platform where students have to quickly respond to the questions by pressing the button with different shapes on their phones or tablets. Compared with traditional printed materials, it could be more engaging to students when funny music rings and colourful options appear in their sights.
Competitive nature can be the greatest feature of this platform, which is proved as the key factor to keep students' attention (Wang, 2015). Students should not just correctly answer the question at a limited time (like 15 secs), but they could also see who scores most at different stages. Their excitement could even increase when the scores fluctuate and someone has replaced the position of the best ranker!
Kahoot and vocabulary teaching
In Kahoot, teachers can edit pictures and videos under each question, which is quite helpful to students' vocabulary learning. This is because these images could provide visual clues for them and activate their schemata that relate to their previous knowledge.
For example, adjectives may depend on specific scenes to make students better understand. When students want to learn 'disappointed' as a negative feeling, we could see that the quiz question above creates a situation that someone may not love all the presents. And this connection can be established when students see the unhappy face of the character in the image.
Kahoot and grammar teaching
Kahoot is not just about multiple choices but offers other exercises such as putting items in an order. Therefore, it is useful for language instructors to teach sentence structures. Also, the picture can work well with the question and help students focus.
The Jumble question here has multiple functions to check students' language. The picture promotes students' understanding of the preposition 'on', and may also remind them what 'couch' means. Meanwhile, it helps students familiarise the structure of a statement when using a continuous tense.
Limitations of Kahoot
Having reviewed the functions of Kahoot, two questions occur in my mind. And you could also comment below to share your thoughts about it.
Input-based or out-put based?ðŸ’
My answer is input-based. This is because the main focus of these types of quizzes is still on accuracy. Therefore, it can be an effective tool for teachers to check if students really understand the knowledge points. Meanwhile, the competitive nature also limits the software to focus on meaning and fluency in speaking as it can be hard to assess.
Competition=motivation? ðŸ’
My answer is yes and no. For advanced students, they can fully engage themselves in applying their knowledge to specific questions and enjoy the feeling at the leading position. By contrast, slow learners are more in need of cooperation and careful explanation of the answers. This means teachers need to have a good pace of teaching when applying these online games.
Furthermore, it is common that students can get addicted when playing games. So I am sure that almost all the students will say 'yes' when you ask a question like 'One more time?' In this situation, teachers should make sure that those who fail the last game have known the reasons for their mistakes. Otherwise, more games mean a waste of time for this group of students.
Finally, I would like to share a video of Keith- an IELTS speaking instructor who uses Kahoot in his live speaking lessons. You could see how he uses this tool from 1:45:25, hope you will enjoy it!😀
Hi Leo,
ReplyDeleteGreat job Leo! Your blog is very insightful especially for critically raising some the limitations of Kahoot!. And I agree with you that sometimes the equations are not necessarily valid.
Hi, Leo. I really enjoy reading your blog! :) I agree that this software is mainly input-based. The game design is attractive and help teachers to check students' understanding. However, how student think is also important. The design of answers would be better not to contrained in four choices rather give oppotunities for students to give their opinions.
ReplyDeleteHi Leo, it was very thoughtful! I actually have the same doubt about using this tool! I have been using it in the last two years and yes I am aware of the competition instead of the collaboration learning I promote in the class! Even if I teamed them up, the competitive atmosphere in the class will still be there and might make the slow learners nervous about never being able to catch up.
ReplyDeleteHello, Leo. I agree with you that Kahoot is focusing on accuracy because there will be only one answer. This is not a platform to share ideas. I like the limitation part, which shows your critical thinking ability.
ReplyDeleteThis post is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI like the Q & A style you used. I also like linking it to two main elements that we always focus on which are vocabulary and grammar.
Your linkage between Kahoot and motivation is stunning. Good job.
I could not just pass this review Leo, because I had the same thought/feeling when playing this tool! Games are competitive, and people say it could motivate learners. Yes. But no, at the same time. Like you said, learners who simply don't like competition, learners who know the knowledge but are just not good at games or learners who are actually learning slowly would be very de-motivated when playing competitive games. Teachers will need to consider students' personalities in class, as much as they can, then :) Thank you for the intriguing review!
ReplyDelete