If you’re an educator, coach, or individual who enjoys making learning enjoyable, you might be familiar with Gimkit.
This hands-on educational platform is a hit with both teachers and students.
But what is required to be an effective Gimkit host? What can you do to make your games both educational and engaging?
This post will cover all the essential details for running sessions on Gimkit.
If you’re just starting or want to improve your facilitation abilities, this article will help you run exciting and impactful games.
What Is Gimkit?
- Platform: Engaging educational tool featuring game-centered features
- Popular Game Modes: Classic, Team Mode, Trust No One, KitCollab, Infinity Mode
- Supported Question Types: Multiple choice, text input, flashcards, images
- Maximum Players In Each Game: 500 players
Setup and Customization
- Average Setup Time: 10-15 minutes for a basic kit
- Number of Kits Available: Thousands of pre-made kits
- Free Version Limitations: Fewer game modes and customization options
- Paid Plan Cost: Starts at $4.99/month (Gimkit Pro)
User Experience
- Device Compatibility: PCs, tablets, and smartphones
- Languages Supported: Multiple languages, including English and Spanish
- User Demographics: K-12 students, teachers, educators
Features and Integration
- Analytics and Reporting: Detailed performance reports and progress tracking
- Integration Options: Google Classroom and other LMS platforms
- Community: Millions of users worldwide
What Sets Gimkit Apart?
Gimkit is different from other educational platforms in that it uses a unique game based style.
It goes beyond simple question-answering by incorporating planning, rivalry, and teamwork.
Participants accumulate virtual money for correct answers, which can be used to buy upgrades or disrupt other players.
This blending of education with gameplay keeps learners interested and drive.
Distinctive Aspects of Gimkit
- Real-Time Games: Conduct live sessions where learners challenge one another.
- Tasks: Design games that students can complete on their own time.
- Boosters: Introduce thrilling elements with power-ups and give students advantages in the play.
- Assessments: Access detailed reports to monitor learner progress and spot areas needing improvement.
Comparing Gimkit With Other Platforms
Kahoot and Quizlet are popular among educators, but Gimkit offers something different.
While these other platforms focus mainly on memorization, Gimkit adds a layer of tactics and rivalry to the educational experience.
Gimkit sets itself apart by encouraging analytical reasoning and choice-making.
Instead of just recalling facts, students use strategy to earn rewards and make decisions in the game.
This makes Gimkit a multifaceted resource that can fit various educational needs and settings.
How To Set Up Your Gimkit Account?
- Create Your Account
To become a Gimkit facilitator, start by creating your account. Visit the Gimkit platform and register using your email or Google profile.
Once registered, you will be directed to your dashboard to explore this platform.
- Examining the Dashboard
Your control panel for Gimkit serves as your main control center. From here, you can:
- Create New Kits: Build new sets of questions.
- Manage Games: Oversee and adjust your ongoing games.
- View Reports: Check detailed performance reports.
- Access Settings: Adjust your account and game settings.
Take some time to familiarize yourself with the dashboard’s arrangement and available options.
- Membership Tiers and Their Advantages
Gimkit provides a no-cost edition, but multiple membership options offer extra features. These plans include:
- Unlimited Kits: Access to more question sets.
- Additional Game Modes: More variety in how you run your games.
- Advanced Reporting: Enhanced performance tracking.
Assess your requirements and financial constraints to determine the subscription plan that fits you best.
Selecting the Game Mode
Gimkit provides a variety of game styles, each featuring a twist:
- Classic Mode: Students earn virtual currency for accurate responses to buy upgrades.
- Team Mode: Teams pool money to purchase upgrades.
- Trust No One: A tactics-oriented mode where learners must identify the ‘deceiver’ within the group.
- Humans vs. Zombies: Students avoid becoming”zombies” by providing correct answers.
Select the mode based on your goals:
- Team Mode is great for collaboration.
- Trust No One offers excitement and strategy.
Students should regularly switch modes and seek the input they enjoy most to maintain student interest.
Building Your Initial Kit
Making a kit on Gimkit is easy. Begin by tapping on “New Kit” on your dashboard. Provide a name, overview, and topic field.
Then, add your questions. Gimkit allows multiple-choice, written responses, and visual questions.
Effective Strategies for Writing Questions
- Keep questions straightforward and precise.
- Steer clear of complicated language that may confuse students.
- Align questions aligned with your educational goals.
Inserting Images and Media
Enhance your kits with images and media. Utilize visuals to clarify ideas or incorporate brief videos that learners view prior to responding.
This method addresses various learning preferences and maintains an engaging content experience.
How To Customize Your Game?
Personalize your Gimkit game to enhance its appeal and relevance. You can adjust the appearance by modifying the backdrop, hues, and typefaces.
For instance, use a subject-related background or a design scheme for a special occasion.
Set Time Constraints and Boosters
Add excitement with time limits and power-ups. Set limits for individual questions or the whole game to increase the challenge.
Power-ups, which students can buy with earned money, offer advantages like additional time or freezing opponents.
Create Designs and Personalized Guidelines
Make your games more engaging with themes and personalized guidelines.
For instance, facilitate a “Pirate Day” game where learners earn accumulated rewards or a “Science Fair” game with questions on different scientific topics.
Custom rules and themes can make learning more interactive and fun.
How to Host a Live Gimkit Game?
1. Choose Your Kit: Pick the set you wish to utilize.
2. Select a Game Mode: Choose a mode that suits your objectives.
3. Invite Participants: Provide the game code to your learners, allowing them to access the game from their devices.
4. Launch the Game: When everyone is prepared, initiate the game and track the progress through your control panel.
Manage Players and Enhance Engagement
You can easily oversee participants and groups, assigning them as needed or letting them choose.
When a student is experiencing issues with joining, you can add them manually through your dashboard.
Maintaining student interest, showing enthusiasm, and interacting actively are essential. Encourage cheering and acknowledge achievements.
Include short pauses for conversation to maintain energy and momentum.
Implementing Gimkit
Games Aligned with Educational Standards
Gimkit is flexible, allowing you to align games that adhere to curriculum guidelines.
You can select or create questions based on your teaching topics, making the games fun and relevant.
Evaluating Learner Achievement
Gimkit offers in-depth summaries of learner performance. Use these reports to see the extent of students’ understanding of the material and spot areas where they might need more help.
Incorporating Team and Individual Games
Using Gimkit for team-based and individual games can boost collaboration and individual challenge.
Alternate between these modes to encourage teamwork and allow students to test their knowledge independently.
Leveraging Features for Hosts
Merging Gimkit with Educational Tools
Gimkit works well with various educational tools, including Google Classroom.
This integration simplifies assigning games, monitoring student progress, and sharing outcomes with both students and their parents.
Explore these integrations to enhance your teaching efficiency.
Using Data to Refine Learning
Gimkit provides valuable reports and analytics to help improve learning outcomes.
Analyze the data to identify patterns, such as challenging questions for students, and adjust your teaching methods accordingly.
Gamifying Learning Objectives
Use Gimkit to gamify long-term educational goals by creating a series of progressively challenging games.
This method keeps students engaged over time and reinforces important concepts.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Handling Technical Problems
Technical issues can disrupt Gimkit sessions. Common problems include slow internet or device compatibility issues.
Ensure all devices are updated and connected to a stable internet source before starting a game.
Managing Student Behavior
Occasionally, students might misuse features or disrupt the game. Set clear behavior expectations and have a plan for managing disruptions, such as muting or temporarily removing disruptive students.
Preparing for an Easy Hosting Experience
To avoid issues, test your game setup before the actual session. Check game settings, review kits for errors, and ensure all necessary tools are functioning properly.
Have a backup plan, such as an alternative device or activity, in case of technical difficulties.
Gathering and Implementing Feedback
Collecting Student Feedback
Feedback is essential for refining your hosting skills. After each game, ask students for their thoughts on what they enjoyed, what they found challenging, and any suggestions for improvement.
This feedback helps you adjust your approach and enhances student involvement.
Analyzing Game Data for Insights
Gimkit offers detailed performance reports. Use these insights to pinpoint areas where students might be struggling and to modify your game content accordingly.
For example, if many students are missing the same question, it could signal a need for further review of that topic.
Adjusting Your Approach for Future
Based on feedback and data analysis, continuously tweak your hosting strategy.
Experiment with different game formats, question types, and power-ups to discover what best suits your group.
Aim to create an engaging and educational experience by being flexible and open to change.
Enhancing Classroom Experiences with Gimkit
Innovative Game Themes for Special Occasions
Infuse excitement into your Gimkit sessions with creative-themed games.
For example, during Halloween, consider a “Spooky Quiz” or, for Christmas, a “Festive Trivia” game. These themed activities make learning more engaging and enjoyable.
Hosting Inter-Class Competitions
Gimkit is perfect for organizing inter-class or inter-grade competitions. Set up a tournament with multiple rounds leading to a final championship.
Offering small awards or recognition can boost student involvement and enthusiasm.
Engaging Parents and the Community
Extend the reach of Gimkit beyond the classroom by involving parents and community members.
Organize family quiz nights or community trivia events to strengthen the connection between school and community and highlight Gimkit’s educational benefits.
Utilizing Gimkit for Online Learning
Running Virtual Gimkit Sessions
Gimkit is highly effective for remote learning. Host virtual games by ensuring all students have the necessary devices and reliable internet connections.
Use video conferencing tools to share your screen and keep students connected throughout the game.
Maintaining Student Interest in Virtual Settings
Keeping students engaged in an online environment can be challenging.
Take advantage of Gimkit’s interactive elements, such as chat features and leaderboards, and provide immediate feedback.
Divide the session into smaller parts to maintain attention and prevent fatigue.
Managing Large Groups in Online Classes
For larger virtual classes, utilize breakout rooms to create smaller teams and assign team leaders to organize activities.
Regularly check in with students to address issues and ensure everyone remains on track.
Future Directions for Gimkit
Discovering Upcoming Features and Enhancements
Gimkit is continuously updating with new features and improvements. Stay informed by following Gimkit’s official blog, and social media or subscribing to their newsletter.
New updates might include additional game modes, enhanced analytics, or customization options.
Keeping Up with Gimkit Innovations
Stay current with Gimkit’s latest developments by visiting their website and participating in online forums or communities.
Engaging with other educators can offer valuable insights and support for effective Gimkit use.
Broadening Your Gimkit Hosting Role
As you gain expertise with Gimkit, consider expanding your role. You might train other educators, conduct workshops, or develop your kits for broader use.
Sharing your knowledge contributes to the educational community and helps others leverage this valuable tool.
Wrapping Up
Becoming proficient with Gimkit goes beyond just using the platform; it involves creating an engaging and interactive learning experience.
From organizing games to hosting special events, each action enhances the educational experience.
Stay flexible, seek input, and continually refine your methods for a successful Gimkit hosting experience.
