Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning

Game-Based learning tools are a great way to engage students in class. However, they are not intended to be used for graded assessments. Before adopting a learning tool, it's the responsibility of the instructor to ensure that the tool does not create barriers for students enrolled in their course.

Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform, used as educational technology in schools and other educational institutions. Its learning games, "Kahoots", are user-generated multiple-choice quizzes that can be accessed via a web browser or the Kahoot! app.

With a free account, users have access to:

• Class sized, live games
• Hosting games via videoconferencing
• Access to community-made games
• Customizing features for nicknames and music
• Online support

Kahoot! is best for

• Class participation:
  • Real-time virtual quizzes
  • Feedback
  • Instructor-made activities
  • Student-made activities
  • Knowledge testing in class and online
• Meeting activities for employees and teams
• Project and presentation activities
• Business and employee training
• Team building

Limitations

• No way to correct choosing a wrong answer accidentally
• Limited space for questions
• Difficult to filter inappropriate names and responses

Accessibility

Kahoot! is still working on making the platform completely compliant with Accessibility standards. However, some of the services already available are:

• Navigate using alt, enter, and spacebar keys 
• Teaching devices: Common screen readers will read questions and answers aloud
• Student devices: Common screen readers will read matching answer numbers aloud

They also offer support in troubleshooting accessibility needs. 

Source: Does Kahoot! meet accessibility standards?

Resources

Mentimeter is an easy-to-use presentation software where you can create fun and interactive presentations. This tool helps make your events, presentations, lectures, and workshops innovative and memorable.

With a free account, users have access to:

• Unlimited audience size
• All question types
• Up to two questions and five quiz questions per presentation.

Mentimeter is best for

• Interactive presentations and activities:
  • Polls.
  • Virtual real-time Quizzes.
• Visualizing knowledge acquisition. 
• Class, team or employee virtual collaboration.
• Measuring progress:
  • Examining and addressing feedback. 
• Exporting presentation data

Limitations

• Can be a tedious process for beginners.
• Free version can limit the amount of users able to join.

Accessibility 

Mentimeter appears to meet most Accessibility standards; however, there are some things that are not met that mostly relate to images, or questions related to images. 

• Wordclouds are visual and there is no alternative format provided. You can export the file as an excel document, which is accessible. 
• You cannot add alt text to an image that you've uploaded. 
• Creators will need to make sure to meet colour contrast requirements. 

For more information about accessibility, see the Mentimeter Accessibility Conformance Report. 

Resources

Quizizz is a game show-style quiz tool. Students access a quiz on their device or computer using an access code, and they can see both questions and answers on their screen. There's a searchable database of hundreds of quizzes, and teachers can use those or edit them to meet their needs.

Quizizz is an open source tool and free for anyone to use.

Quizizz is best for

• Studying and test preparation
• Digital homework/assessment
• Collective and individual learning:
  • Team building
  • Teaching reinforcement in and outside of class
  • Peer-led/supported learning

Limitations

• Includes advertisements
• Security concerns: Personal information (names) is made public

Accessibility

Information about accessibility is not available online. From some testing, a screen reader cannot read all the elements needed to create a quiz or play a quiz as a student. However, creators can now add audio clips to their questions (up to 10 seconds per box). 

Resources