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CONTENTS
OVERVIEW
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What is Kahoot!? Why is Kahoot! useful? How to access Kahoot! for American THiNK
QUESTION TYPES IN KAHOOT!
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Type answer Quiz True or false Puzzle Poll
ANSWERS
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WHEN CAN I USE KAHOOT! IN MY LESSON?
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TOP TIPS
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OVERVIEW What is Kahoot!? Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that makes it easy to create, share and play learning games or trivia quizzes in minutes. Kahoot! quizzes are now available to provide further practice for American THiNK Levels Starter to 4. They encourage learners to practice their English in a fun and interactive way. Our kahoots include level-appropriate quiz questions to engage learners and make learning stimulating and enjoyable. Kahoots can be played in player-vs-player or team-vsteam modes or assigned as challenges for independent study. They can be used on desktop computers, tablets or smartphones, giving teachers the flexibility to use them in online lessons, in the classroom, or at home.
There are three modes of play: Teach – the teacher can play a live game with the class over video or in the classroom. Assign – for individual play. Single player – the learners play with virtual players. Each unit of American THiNK has a corresponding Kahoot! quiz which covers the core vocabulary and grammar of that unit. There are 11 questions per unit: ▶ two for the two core vocabulary sets ▶ two for the two grammar points ▶ two vocabulary questions for the fluency phrases, culture or literature lessons ▶ a final open-ended question related to the unit topic Each game takes about five minutes and there’s a given time limit for each question which increases learners’ motivation and challenge. Learners are given immediate feedback after each question. A red screen shows the answer is incorrect and the correct answer is highlighted or written in green. To add an element of competitiveness, the final score screen shows the learners how many of the questions they answered correctly and displays their points on a leaderboard. Learners can compare how well they did in comparison with virtual players or their classmates. 4
The question type and instructions appear on the screen so learners know what is required. There’s time for learners to read the question before the timer starts.
Why is Kahoot! useful? Learners love playing games! They’re competitive and they’re a fun learning tool. Kahoots have been created to give learners targeted practice of the two core sets of vocabulary and grammar from each unit of every level of American THiNK. Aside from valuable language practice, learners engage with a variety of important skills from critical thinking, problem solving and computer skills to teamwork and good sportsmanship. The games actively engage the learners, providing a safe environment where they can practice and challenge themselves. The games are age and language appropriate and kahoots range in difficulty between the levels, offering gradual exposure to new language, as they progress. Kahoots can be used as a whole class activity or in small teams where learners share their knowledge and compete against each other. Alternatively, they can be set for independent practice at home. Kahoots provide a useful diagnostic or assessment tool for the teacher and the learner as part of the American THiNK journey.
How to access Kahoot! quizzes for American THiNK American THiNK kahoots can be accessed at www.cambridge.org/amthinkkahoot You can choose to play Kahoot! as a class or assign kahoots as a challenge for learners to play in their own time.
How to play Kahoot! as a class How to set a Kahoot! as a challenge
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WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT
QUESTION TYPES?
There are five different question types which are used for each Kahoot! quiz. The question type and instructions appear on the screen so learners know what is required. There’s time for learners to read the question before the timer starts.
Type answer A word, sentence or picture prompt appears. Learners have to type their answer which ranges from a single word, to a phrase or short sentence. The time limit is 20–60 seconds depending on the level of difficulty.
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Quiz These are multiple-choice questions which require learners to match a word/sentence to pictures, fill gaps in sentences or select the correct sentence. The instructions tell learners whether single or multiple answers are required. The time limit is 10–30 seconds depending on the level of difficulty.
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True or false The aim of this question type is for learners to identify grammatically correct or incorrect sentences, whether sentences and pictures match, or if vocabulary definitions match pictures or words. The time limit is 10–20 seconds depending on the level of difficulty.
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Puzzle The aim of this type of question is for learners to order syllables to make words, order words to make correct sentences, or put adjectives, time phrases or adverbs in chronological order. The time limit is 20 seconds.
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Poll The aim of the final poll question is for learners to give an opinion on a statement, express a preference or answer a question about their personal life. There’s no wrong or right answer but the question provides a starting point for further discussion. The time limit is 20 seconds.
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ANSWERS Once learners have selected their answers, immediate feedback is given with the appearance of a correct or incorrect screen. If their answer is wrong, the correct answer is displayed.
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WHEN CAN I USE KAHOOTS
IN A LESSON? Anytime ▶ As a warmer – assign quiz questions to review the core vocabulary or grammar from previous lessons. ▶ As an energizer between individual, heads-down activities to add variety and a change of pace. ▶ The poll question can be used as an introduction to or rounding up of the unit topic. ▶ At different points in a class, for a quick check of understanding and a change of lesson pace.
Grammar and vocabulary presentation stage ▶ Choose the two relevant vocabulary/grammar quiz questions as extra core language examples before the controlled Student’s Book or Workbook practice. ▶ For above-level classes, the questions can be used diagnostically to see what the learners know already before the main presentation stage. ▶ Whole games or targeted questions can be used from previous levels/units to review related vocabulary or grammar structures first.
Grammar and vocabulary practice ▶ As a quick assessment of learners’ understanding after the presentation stage before moving onto the Student’s Book or Workbook exercises. ▶ As a diagnostic test to evaluate gaps in learners’ knowledge to guide next steps in learning. ▶ As a differentiation task for fast finishers or less confident learners. ▶ As individualized learning tasks where the teacher can choose games to assign learners depending on the gaps in their language skills.
Skills ▶ To activate learners’ prior knowledge of the topic vocabulary before the culture, literature or fluency lessons.
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Review ▶ Use the targeted quiz questions to review the core vocabulary or grammar points at the end of a lesson. ▶ Use a full quiz or targeted questions to review a lesson/unit before the Student’s Book or Workbook Test yourself lessons. ▶ Use the questions as prompts to initiate class discussion about why answers are wrong or right and encourage problem solving. ▶ The grammar questions can be assigned in conjunction with the Get it right review sections.
Assessment ▶ As individualized or class assessment of learning outcomes at the end of a grammar or vocabulary lesson. The teacher and the learners can track their scores to see how they progress through the units.
Homework ▶ As an alternative or in addition to the Workbook exercise. ▶ Games from previous units can be assigned to encourage continuous review. This gives learners the opportunity to see if they can improve their previous scores.
Speaking practice ▶ If playing the games in teams, learners discuss the answers together and agree on their final answer. ▶ The poll can be used as a prompt for freer speaking and discussions. ▶ As a follow up to the poll, learners can create their own thematically-linked poll question. ▶ To ascertain learners’ perspectives and opinions of the unit topics at the start of the unit. ▶ It could also be used to see how learners’ opinions/ideas have changed if they answer the discursive polls at the beginning a nd again at the end of the unit.
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TOP TIPS ▶ Remind learners there is a time limit for all questions. ▶ Encourage learners to read the questions carefully before answering. ▶ Turn off the timer if your aim for the game is accuracy, not speed.
Type answer ▶ All spellings must be correct. ▶ Sometimes there is more than one possible answer, and all options are given on the answer page. ▶ Capital letters and full stops are not necessary in sentence answers.
Quiz ▶ Remind learners to check if multiple/single answers are required. ▶ Make sure learners read the options carefully as there are often distractors!
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Puzzle ▶ The words/syllables need to be dragged into the correct order – not just clicked on.
True or false ▶ The sentences can have a factual or grammatical focus so make sure learners read each sentence carefully.
Poll ▶ There’s no correct answer so an answer screen won’t appear! ▶ There’s only a single answer option. ▶ Give learners time to think about their answers to the poll question before initiating follow-up discussion.
Homework ▶ Whole quizzes have to be assigned. You can’t assign individual questions. Kahoot! homework should therefore be set at the end of a unit, before the reviews or at the end of a level. ▶ Assign learners previous levels and units to play at home to see how they’ve improved and refresh their learning. 15
To find out more, go to: www.cambridge.org/amthinkkahoot
