Kahoot!

We love Kahoot!  I tried this out with my students after learning about it at the MACUL conference in Grand Rapids.  I was surprised by my students' reactions.  Kahoot created such excitement and engagement in my classroom.  I had kids cheering so loud, I was worried the other teachers in my hall were going to be annoyed with the noise level.  It was such a positive experience though, I had students begging to play it again.  Some even insisted we played the following day at recess time!  So we did!

Kahoot is a FREE game based classroom response system.  We used our individual Chromebooks to play.  I displayed the Kahoot game that I  easily created on their website on my big screen through my projector . I actually used some common assessments that were formed in my district to improve science scores. These force and motion assessments seemed to be a little boring, and I wanted to spice them up a bit. Kahoot allowed me to do this easily. I could even insert pictures and diagrams that went with my questions. The students logged into my game by inserting the game pin y game was assigned at kahoot.it.  They used their first names to join which allowed me to keep track of how each student responded.  

After everyone had joined the game, we started to play.  The question was displayed on the screen.  I read it out loud so my struggling readers knew exactly what it said.  Then they had the opportunity to select the correct answer from four that were presented to them that were color and shape coded.  When all students had responded in 60 seconds or less (I preset that time frame), a bar graph showed what students answered and which answer was the correct response.  The student was able to have immediate feedback and results to see where they went wrong if they did.  All students were given points and those who answered quickly received the most.  At the end there was an ultimate winner of the Kahoot game.  

I was able to print off data to help assess how students understood the introduced science concepts. The data showed how long it took each kid to answer and if they answered wrong, what they chose instead. The report is a clear portrayal of any misconceptions some students may have had.  With a Kahoot account you can also search for other quizzes that teachers have created and use them as well.  I will be using Kahoot in my classroom on a frequent basis.  I am so glad I tried it!

#MACUL14

I had the privilege to attend this year's Michigan's Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) conference in Grand Rapids.  I was thrilled with the knowledge I gained but even more excited about the relationships and professional connections I made.  It was so refreshing to surround myself with educators with the same passion, philosophy of teaching and education reform that I have.  I was delighted to learn about new gadgets, apps and technological devices to implement in my classroom, but I was even more fired up to be reminded once again that 21st Century Learning is NOT about the technology, but about teaching in a way that inspires all students to want to learn.  The key themes that seemed to be repeated no matter what area of the DeVos Center you were located in were developing positive relationships, IEP's for all students, and getting kids to DO ~ not sit around and listen.

The speakers I was able to listen to at this magnificent event have made me excited about my job again. Adam Bellow's key note speech had me crying watching a whiskey commercial,  Erin Klein has convinced me that my students should have an opportunity to choose what they want to learn on a frequent basis, Jennifer Bond persuaded me to finally make my third graders the happiest, little students on the planet by implementing the Minecraft video game and I became George Couros's biggest fan.

As I continue with the remainder of the school year, I will of course keep utilizing my pilot of Chromebooks, but I will be doing it with a refreshed perspective.  Thank you MACUL and Brighton Area Schools!