Gamify Learning with GimKit!

It's no secret that students are more engaged in content when they are having fun. Gamified Learning is not a new concept and it existed long before technology became ubiquitous in the classroom. I remember playing "Slide the Eraser" in my Algebra I class - the teacher created Wheel of Fortune style columns on the chalkboard and after we got an answer correct, we would slide the eraser across the board to see how many points we got. In my Spanish class, we played a baseball review game where we got to choose to go for a single, double, triple, or home run and the questions increased in difficulty based on our choice. We even moved all the desks and created a literal baseball diamond where we moved around the bases! As technology began to enter classrooms, gamified learning evolved, moving from things like PowerPoint Jeopardy to interactive games like Kahoot and video game style tools such as GimKit.

GimKit is a digital tool created in 2017 by a high school student for a school project. He knew that he learned better through games, so he wanted to create something that would combine his love of video games with the content he needed to learn in school. Since then, it has remained in his hands and gets updated every year with new games and features based on teacher and student feedback.

GimKit starts with simple multiple choice or short answer questions on any topic, but then teachers incorporate those questions into different types of games. Questions and answers can include images or equations, which gives even more options for teachers of any subject! The best part is that the students play the game together in the classroom either as a competition or as a collaborative team effort!

GimKit is free for teachers to use with some limitations. Beginning next year at Londonderry High School, we will have pro access to GimKit for all teachers! That means teachers will have access to all game modes, can upload audio files to questions, and can assign games for homework to be played asynchronously rather than together in the classroom.

Here is a quick example of a game. In it, you answer questions to earn "bait" to go fishing. Each fish you catch is worth money - just bring the fish to the sell station to get your money. The goal is to earn $100 as fast as you can. You can do that simply by catching enough fish or you can use your money to get other items that might help you earn more money faster! Use the arrow keys to move around the map and return to the question answering station if you need more bait.

Take a look at GimKit and consider incorporating it into your end-of-the-year review process for your students to lighten up a stressful time of year - for everyone!