Kahoot, takes quizzes to a whole new level

Ever wanted your students to complete a comprehension, listening analysis, end of unit quiz, topic test etc with little or no drama? Kahoot is the answer.

There are two parts to this software. The first is the controller that the students will use. This can be on a computer or other portable device with access to internet. The controller uses a different url as seen below:

Kahoot Controller

The log in to the controller looks like this.

The students will collect a game pin when the teacher logs in to the following website to open the games.

Get a Kahoot

The game website looks like this.

Of course, as with every other website I have reviewed, you will need to create an account. I always use my google account. This way, I usually can open the websites easily as soon as I have logged into my google account. Accounts are free.

There is a very good help menu to guide you through the steps to creating a Kahoot. There are also some fantastic youtube videos to do the same thing. I have included one below that may be useful.

To get started with kahoot, I probably recommend that you try the public kahoots before creating your own. Just be sure that you veto them before showing them in class to avoid any embarrassment. You have the option of searching for a kahoot that has been created by a teacher, or is for education purposes etc. For example try searching for treble clef note names.

This is a sample of a fraction of what you can find. Mine are not visible as I have selected to keep mine private. 

Once deciding on a quiz to play, select the purple play button. It is a good idea to make sure that your students can see the quiz in a common place to play the game together. I use a data projector as our school doesn't use interactive white boards. If you dont have either of these available students can always look at a single computer screen. I have created a series of quizzes for my senior Music 1 students to use for revision of terminology. In this scenario they can use a split screen to be able to see both the quiz and the controller.

As soon as I click on the launch button a game pin is loaded. Students enter this game pin on their controller.

They select a nickname. If you are wishing to save the results as an excel file, you may wish your student to enter their own name. Mine love to find unusual names. Luckily the website vetoes nicknames and wont allow those that are undesirable.

Students can see each other join the game from the teacher console. This always brings much hilarity with my year 10 girls.

Once all students have entered the game you are ready to go!

After all students have entered/selected their answers, or the time is finished, this will show on the game site.

The students have instant feedback. A score board is then shown, with rank and points. Points are awarded to the fastest correct answer. Students are unable to change their answer once selected.

This is what is seen by the student when they are waiting to answer each question.

An answer is selected by clicking on the colour that corresponds to the answer desired from the game site (as shown in a previous picture). And so the game continues.

Once you have mastered the art of playing Kahoot, you are ready to create your own. This is quite simple. click "new kahoot".

Give your game a name and you are ready to go!

To upload a picture for your question, simply find, and download or select one of your own and drop into the space provided. I often use a video from youtube, especially for a listening analysis.

To include a video simply select video instead of picture.

The great thing with a youtube video is that you are able to select specifically the segment you wish to play. Just make sure that you check back with your game from time to time to see that the video is still supported and available.

Once you have selected and uploaded your media you are able to enter the responses just as you would a multiple choice quiz. Select the correct responses and you are good to go. Save and continue or add a question.

When you have written your quiz and ready to save, you are given options that can later be changed. These settings determine where and how your quiz is shared or made private for use by yourself only.

You are nearly there. You have the option of selecting and uploading a cover picture. I like to use something that reflects the nature of my quiz. Once you have done this and hit the green button your game is ready to go. Don't be scared. Everything can be edited at any time. It is now all about experimenting.

I often have my students create their own kahoot. This is a great tool for checking their understanding of a topic. Students then play each others' games. Just be sure that you monitor the responses!

There are two other options for this website: discussion and survey. To date I have not tried these. Perhaps these can featured in a later blog post.

Now you are ready to change the world (or at least your classroom) one kahoot at a time.

Yours in teaching

Teresa

Instruments of the Orchestra reinvented, Carnegie Hall

We all remember the formula for the Dora the Explorer adventures. Hints and clues, mysteries to solve. This is how things work in the fabulously interactive "Listening Adventures" for Benjamin Britten's "A young Persons' Guide to the Orchestra".

Players are offered the option of logging in to save their game to finish at another time, or they can play a local game. This game can be played as a class using a data projector, smart board etc or individually. It could even be set as a homework activity to fuel a discussion in class upon completion. I am going to follow this up with a thinglink using a picture of the orchestra : label instruments, include youtube videos of instruments playing etc. I have discussed thinkglink in a previous post. As a further follow up activity to check their understanding, I will play a kahoot that I created . (I will be discussing kahoot next week).

This is the first thing your students will see when they navigate to the website.

For the purpose of this discussion I have selected local game.

Once the game has begun there is no option to pause. From time to time the students are given the chance to read information from the books. They have freedom to decide what and how much information. The game waits for them to do this. For this reason, the game length will vary for each player.

The great thing here is that students have the option to read this text themselves or select to have it read to them. This is great for younger students or for those will reading problems.

slowly the game moves through an introduction to the symphony orchestra and then one instrument family at a time as can be seen below.

Students can select one instrument at a time to listen to that instrument played solo. If the game is played as a class this can lead to further discussion, eg which is higher/lower etc.

By selecting a different tab students are able to both watch and listen to the range of the various instruments in each family and to see where the over lap is.

By clicking on the treble clef at the bottom of the book you are able to see the table of contents and hence select the instrument family you wish to study rather than working through all of them.

This following page allows the player to spin the wheel to see each percussion instrument and to gather necessary information.

Now the fun begins. Each player works through a series of activities to unlock the door (the way to the end of the game). The first quiz asks students to match the instrument with the appropriate family. There is always the chance to try again if unsuccessful.

This continues for all four families and the safari begins. Students are able to track their progress through the map via the diagram at the bottom.

At each point one family of instruments are featured. Students have the chance to learn about each instrument, how it is played, what i sounds like and so on. The game continues in the same vein throughout.

At each point the students has control of how much information they read and listen to. They are in control of their own learning. This is a good way to begin the idea of research or even introduce the idea of a viva voce supported with listening examples.

Your turn now to make your way through the safari. I use this with year 7 non elective music. It is good regardless of student pre requisite knowledge as there are options to extend students with extra reading or just take the basic route. I usually work on 2 50 minute lessons. Sometimes it is more, sometimes it is less. It really depends on how the students play the game.

A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

Yours in music

Teresa