The following are engaging, simple-to-use game platforms for student learning and review. As you explore each tool, consider a current lesson or unit into which they could be implemented to help with student learning.
Gimkit
Quizizz
Kahoot
Quizlet Live
Gimkit
Gimkit is a game show for the classroom, much like Kahoot and Quizizz, with one stand-out feature: Students can earn in-game cash for correct answers (and lose it for incorrect answers!), and then they can "purchase" upgrades or power ups. Features include:
Live mode
Self-paced mode
Upgrades and power ups (e.g., new color palette, increased stakes, hints, etc.)
Kitcollab: Have your students contribute questions to a collaborative Gimkit game
Quizizz is all about free self-paced quizzes to review, assess, and engage—in class and at home. This game platform "ups the stakes" with a leaderboard that shows students where they are in relation to their peers. Quizizz even includes fun memes to let students know whether or not they got an answer correct!
Kahoot is "a free student-response tool for all platforms, allows teachers to run gamelike multiple-choice answer quizzes" (commonsense.org). Create your own or choose from available games at kahoot.comLinks to an external site.. Features of Kahoot include:
Class leaderboard
Team mode
Self-paced mode
Live mode
Recognition for accomplishments besides most points
Games in any language
Quizlet Live
Quizlet live is a classroom game in which students are grouped into teams. Each team member gets the same question, but different answer choices. As a result, team members must work together to determine who has the correct answer! Other features include:
Team leaderboard
Wrong answers result in starting over on the leaderboard
Turn any Quizlet study set into a Quizlet Live game
With escape rooms so popular as a fun activity for friends or a date night, it's no wonder that the concept has made its way into education. Below are a few ways the principles of escape rooms can be used in your classroom!
Breakout EDU
Breakout EDU is a physical game kit and platform where students work together to solve various puzzles to open a locked box, similar to an escape room (commonsense.org). There are many free games that can be used from their website, as well as the option to create a game for your class. Options include games designed to help students reach learning outcomes for your content area!
Interested in trying it out? Your school's Ed Tech Coach has Breakout EDU boxes available for checkout.
Breakout EDU Digital
Breakout EDU games can also be 100% digital. Contact your Ed Tech Coach for platform access.
Paper-based "Escape" Challenges
The internet is full of paid and free paper-based, content-related games that resemble escape room-type challenges and have students learning or reviewing content in an attempt to move around the classroom and break codes.
Create your own game--with or without tech! Here is an idea for quickly turning any reading activity into a game.
This example was created by Canyons School District social studies teacher Emily Nance. She quickly turned learning about Henry Knox's role in the Revolutionary War into a game, leveraging student emotion to help them commit information to memory.
The premise: Students read an article, then take turns asking each other text-dependent questions. If they get the answer right, they roll the dice to move forward on the game board. If they get it wrong, they lose their turn. First student to the end wins!