Gimkit is a very good tool for teachers. It’s easy to learn and enjoyable learning. Beginners usually make some simple mistakes with any new tool. Such mistakes could make the experience not quite enjoyable for the teachers and students. But to make the most of Gimkit in your classroom we’ve put together this guide for you to avoid these mistakes.
Table of Contents
1. Not Exploring All the Game Modes in Gimkit
One of the first mistakes new users make is to play in the ‘Classic’ game mode. Gimkit has so many other fun and interactive modes besides classic mode. These modes can bring a fresh twist to your lessons and engage your students in different ways.
What Are the Other Modes?
Team Mode: Students work together in teams. Collaboration and teamwork are encouraged by it. Students can share ideas, discuss answers, and help each other out.
Trust No One: This mode has a twist! This gives a bit of suspense and excitement for students to trick each other. It works well for subjects where students need to think deeply.
Vocabulary Mode: Ideal for language lessons. Students enjoy learning new words and remembering them better.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Before starting a game, play with the different game modes. You don’t have to use them all at once. But trying out different ones can keep your students excited and engaged. Mix things up and see which modes work best for your lessons and your students’ needs.
2. Making Kits Too Hard Too Fast
Gimkit is easy to get excited about and start building and creating complex kits. But sometimes, this can lead to frustration. If your students are faced with tough questions, they might not enjoy the game.
Why Does This Happen?
Most new users want to create the perfect kit with lots of questions. Starting with too many questions or difficult topics can quickly become overwhelming. Especially for younger students or beginners who are still learning how to use Gimkit.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Start simple and focus on a few main ideas. Begin with basic questions at the start of a new topic. You can always build on the kit as your students become more familiar with the tool. You can even import questions from Quizlet or other EdTech Tools work with Gimkit.
3. Forgetting to Customize the Game
One of the more common mistakes new users make is not using Gimkit’s customizations. You can change a lot of settings in your game to make it more engaging and suited to your class.
What Can You Customize?
Money Earned: You can adjust how much money students get for each correct answer. Increasing or decreasing the money can change the pace and difficulty of the game.
Power-ups: You will have shields and multipliers and other power ups available. They help the game feel more active and enjoyable.
Music: Want to set the mood? During the game, you can change the background music. This small touch can make the game feel more exciting.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Before starting the game take some time to customize it. Play around with the settings. Adjust the money earned, add power-ups, or change the music. Small updates can help students have a better time playing.
4. Not Explaining the Game to Students
If your students are new to Gimkit. It is important to explain how the game works. They may be confused about the rules or even how to answer questions. Without proper instructions, students may get distracted or frustrated.
Why Does This Matter?
Students pay more attention to the game and join in when they know how the game works. They’ll be more motivated to learn. When they’ll have a clear understanding of what’s expected.
How to Avoid This Mistake
While explaining the rules, spend a few minutes before the game begins. Explain to your students what the purpose of the game is, how to answer questions. And how they can use power-ups. Ensure students understand how the game will support their learning. The more prepared they are, the more they’ll enjoy the experience.
Also Read: Gimkit in Elementary Schools: Strategies for Success5. Making Games Too Long
Sometimes new users set the timer for games that are too long. It can be tempting to create long games to cover a lot of material. But longer games can cause students to lose focus, especially younger ones.
Why Does This Happen?
Some teachers extend the game too long. Because they are excited about giving everyone more time to earn coins or practise. But this can make students tired and lose focus.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Begin with shorter games, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Usually, this is enough time to cover key concepts without getting students tired out. If needed, you have the option to extend the time. Shorter games can also keep the energy level high. Which keeps students engaged and motivated.
6. Ignoring the Data and Reports
Gimkit gives great data and reports about the data of every game. These reports give you valuable insights into which questions your students struggled with. Which concepts they understand, and which ones need more attention.
Why Does This Happen?
Many new users forget to look at the reports after playing the game. However, missing out on this data means missing an opportunity to improve future lessons.
How to Avoid This Mistake
After each game, review the reports. Find out which questions your students found difficult. This will help you know what to teach next and how to adjust your teaching strategies. You can find these reports in your Gimkit Dashboard.
7. Not Organizing Kits Properly
Things can get messy as you start to create more Kits. New users sometimes just add all their Kits to a big list without organizing them. This can make it difficult to find what you need when you need it.
Why Does This Happen?
When you haven’t got many Kits. It may also seem unimportant to organize at first. However, as you create more, the lack of organization can slow you down and waste time.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Once you have created your Kits. Group them into folders from the beginning. You can make folders by subject, grade level or lesson. This will help you find the right kit quickly and easily. Staying organized saves a lot of time and stress later on.
8. Not Trying the “Live” Mode Features
Some of the features that Gimkit has Live Mode which makes the game more interactive. Features like Screen Takeover and Collect Evidence are great tools to enhance the learning experience. But new users often miss these features.
Why Does This Happen?
The teachers who are new to the platform often stick to the basics as they might have forgotten to try the more Gimkit advanced features. This can prevent them from fully exploring what Gimkit has to offer.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Use Live Mode Features. With Collect Evidence, students can provide reasons for their answers. And helping to deepen their understanding. Screen Takeover allows you to share important information with the class. That makes the game more engaging. Try them out and see how they can improve your lessons.
Also Read: Work Smarter – A Teacher’s Guide to Automating Gimkit Using Zapier9. Not Asking for Help
When you’re learning something, it’s normal to have questions. However, many new Gimkit users try to figure everything out on their own. Which can lead to frustration.
Why Does This Happen?
But teachers are typically very independent and like to find solutions on their own. However, not asking for help when needed can make the learning process harder.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Remember that help is available! The Help Center of Gimkit contains articles and guides. You can also find support in online communities of teachers who use Gimkit. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re stuck. The more you practice, the smoother it will get.
10. Overusing Gimkit for Everything
Gimkit is very powerful, but it is not the only tool. Some new users try to use Gimkit for everything. Which can lead to burnout and a lack of variety in lessons.
Why Does This Happen?
Teachers may want to use Gimkit for every lesson when they discover how fun and effective it can be. However, overusing it can make it less exciting and reduce its educational impact.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Gimkit is a teaching EdTech tool. However, don’t rely on it for everything. It can be mixed with other teaching methods like books, hands-on activities, group discussions. This will keep your students excited and also will help them learn in different ways.
Conclusion
Using it in the classroom can be a great use of Gimkit. However, it is not a common error that new users make often. With a simple structure and games that are customized to fit your classroom. You will be able to come up with a game mode and implement them in a way that will be fun and effective for your children. Keep in mind that mistakes come with the process. You should continue to experiment, learn and use Gimkit to make your lessons alive.
