Jennifer Anderson

In Kahoots with Jennifer Anderson

by Anthony Cannuli

Are you in Kahoots with your class?  Your first question is probably, what are Kahoots? Well, Jennifer Anderson, MS math teacher and coach, uses Kahoots with her math classes, and I had the pleasure of witnessing her students' passion, competitive spirit, and engagement first hand.  Not only was each student focused on learning and earnestly attempting to complete a math problem, each youngster was smiling, and the fun was palpable.  I left the room thinking, "That was one of the most exciting math classes I have ever seen.  Maybe I would have been a better math student when I was a child if such a thing existed."

Again, you may be asking, what are Kahoots?  Here is the answer according to getahoot.com: "A Kahoot! is a learning game created on the Kahoot! platform, which consists of multiple choice questions--as a quiz, discussion or survey--in any topic, language, or ability.  It's projected at the front of the classroom, and played by the whole class together in real-time (answering on their own personal device)."

I sat at the back of the room and watched the students join the game at the start of class.  They were able to create their own "handle," and, of course, middle school students took it to heart with names like "Muffin" and "Children of the Corn."  Ms. Anderson then started the game.  A question is posed (hers was presented in the quiz format) and the students must submit their answers. The student that answer the fastest with a correct answer gets the most points, so even if TWO students answer every question correctly, the one who did it faster wins.  The score for the overall class is then projected on the screen after each question.

One of the students I interviewed thinks Kahoot activities are a "good way to practice."  He stated that the program was not a good way to introduce a concept; however, he noted that during the review process, "It is a very stimulating and an interesting learning tool."  Another student thought that, "It promotes teamwork and thinking outside the box."  Ms. Anderson added that she liked how, "Kahoot lets even the shiest student participate and become fully engaged.  It is fast paced, fun, and competitive.  All students in the room try their hardest."

The "high fives" and "victory dances" were a blast to watch.  However, what struck me even closer to the core as an educator was the thinking that occurred in the room.  We all know, much like Shakespeare has written in Julius Caesar, the students love when they can compete "with hearts of controversy."  In plain English, they love competitions.  Much like Caesar and Cassius, the students were in a race (to score the most points).  However, they were encouraging each other to think about the questions that were posed.  I heard a lot of thinking out loud.  I think the game is secondary.  The learning, understanding, peer support and camaraderie are what really impressed me.

Whether we like it or not, we, and especially our young students, live in a technical world.  Anytime an iPad can be utilized in a meaningful and enriching way, the students tend to enjoy the process.  This generation does not take well to notes on the board and desks in rows.  Kahoots speak their language and relates to them on so many levels.  Check out Kahoots and watch the learning and excitement abound!