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The Kahoot! guide to
creating & playing
learning games
3rd Edition

1OCTOBER 2017 LIBRARY

HI THERE,
KAHOOT!’ER!
Feeling inspired? This practical guide will help you navigate
the most powerful ways to use Kahoot! beyond the basics.

Here you’ll find step-by-step instructions and no-nonsense tips for

creating the highest caliber kahoots and unlocking the magic of
learning through play.

You’ll learn how to introduce new topics with “blind” and

“connected” kahoots, boost motivation with Ghost Mode,
challenge players near and far with connected kahoots, and even
teach beginner Kahoot!’ers to design their own learning games.

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CONTENTS

4 How to make a kahoot awesome

10 Getting started

11 How to make your first kahoot

13 How to play your first kahoot

15 How to assign a kahoot as homework

17 Inspiring ways to play Kahoot!

18 Blind Kahoot!’ing

25 Connected Kahoot!’ing

30 Ghost Mode

34 Learners to Leaders

41 Master your skills: Kahoot! ideas

43 Contact us

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HOW TO MAKE
A KAHOOT
AWESOME
TOP TIP
Think about the kahoot’s
Research and plan ahead
description before you start
Before creating their kahoot online, many making it - it will help you
of our most experienced Kahoot!’ers take keep the game
a bit of time to make notes about the focused!
learning game, how it will be played, and
about the learners themselves. Aside from
researching the questions and answers, here are
some things you might want to think about:

∙∙ Why are you making the kahoot?

∙∙ What do you hope the outcome will be?
∙∙ What do the learners already know?
∙∙ How do they learn best?
∙∙ How might you make it accessible to all types of learners?
∙∙ How might you give everyone who plays this game a
chance to feel success?
∙∙ Where is it likely to be played?
∙∙ Do you need to build in breathing space of discussion,
debate, or creative activities between questions?
∙∙ Are you intending to open it up to the public? How would
you make sure it is found and enjoyed by the people who
need it most?

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HOW TO MAKE A KAHOOT AWESOME

Ask the right questions

Now you’ve done some research, it’s time TOP TIP
to think about the specific questions and Try asking the same
answers. Look at the best kahoots and question in multiple
you’ll see that there’s tremendous value not ways – it helps reinforce
in just asking questions, but in asking the knowledge.
right questions - ones which help you:

• Spark discussion or debate, using multiple

correct answers;
• Spot gaps in your learners’ knowledge so you can set
time aside later to help them build their understanding;
• Prompt learners to recognize - and fill in - the gaps in
their own knowledge;
• Teach subtleties or dispel myths and misconceptions;
• Build learners’ confidence in a certain subject

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HOW TO MAKE A KAHOOT AWESOME

TOP TIP
Make sure your kahoot holds
all the answers
Key to an engaging kahoot is ensuring Change the timer settings
that the questions are challenging so learners have time
enough to give learners a deep sense of to work out the answer
achievement when they answer correctly. instead of just
guessing.
That means thinking up the right wrong
answers, and making sure there is enough
time on the clock for learners
to work out the answer.

∙∙ Are the incorrect answers plausible?

∙∙ Are they tricky enough to be challenging and
prompt critical thinking, but still give everyone a
chance to feel success?
∙∙ Can you use the answer from this question as a
natural transition to the next, or even as a clue for a
later question?

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HOW TO MAKE A KAHOOT AWESOME

Get creative with high-impact images

and videos
TOP TIP
Check AP Archive on
We recommend you to use high quality
YouTube for video footage!
images, videos and animated gifs. They You’ll find 1.7 million global
will let you hide clues, inject a bit of news and entertainment
humor and make your kahoot generally stories, dating back
more engaging! to 1985.

Here are a few things to try with media

in your kahoot:

• Imagine how your kahoot will look when played on a

large screen or an interactive white board - use high
resolution images whenever possible;

VIDEO
• Maximize learning opportunities by adding
instructional images, diagrams, charts, or
YouTube videos; TIP
• Experiment with using multiple images
No need to use the
instead of just one - you can easily create a
whole video - just
mini slideshow-style animated gif using Giphy, set the start and
or a collage in PicMonkey or PIXLR Express; end times!
• Challenge students to create videos,
animations, images, or even code their own
artwork for the kahoot;
• Inject a little humor and surprise learners with your own
take on a meme;
• Build anticipation or gradually give learners little hints
with an “image reveal” animated gif (here’s how);
• Hide clues for this question or a later question in the
image - or, on the contrary, images can help you create
trick questions and test learners’ attention!

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HOW TO MAKE A KAHOOT AWESOME

Take learners on a journey

Like the best presentations or lectures, TOP TIP
awesome kahoots have a natural flow to
them. Building a narrative or flow into Reorder the questions and
add some ‘transition’
your learning game will make it shine! It
questions until you’ve
may need a bit of practice to master this got the flow just right.
storytelling skill - here are some tips to get
you started:

• Use the questions as building blocks to

introduce a new subject with the kahoot – once learners
understand the answer to Question 1, they’re ready to
move on to Question 2, then 3, and so on.
• Use storytelling strategies to take learners on a journey.
A great movie hooks the audience with scene setting,
highs and lows and moments of celebration. You can
do the same with your kahoot by weaving back and
forth between questions with multiple correct answers,
quick-fire “easy” questions, challenging problem-solving
questions, and game-show-style bursts of fun or humor.
• Use the answers or images as a natural transition from
one question to the next. For example, an incorrect answer
from Question 1 might form the basis of Question 2.

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HOW TO MAKE A KAHOOT AWESOME

AWESOME KAHOOTS
TO LEARN FROM
High school math: quadratic equations
Make algebra fun with this kahoot about
quadratic equations! Our resident math pro takes
us through what makes this an awesome math
Play
kahoot, plus some tips on how to play.

Who, what, wear: British fashion in the

1930s and 1940s
This unique kahoot adds a rather stylish twist on
learning. Find out what we loved most about this
Play
British Fashion kahoot.

Science: periodic table mania

A science kahoot for chemistry geeks and college
students, filled with fun ways to learn the ins and
outs of basic physical chemistry, or to refresh
Play
knowledge before exams.

English: figuring out figurative language

Are your students learning to spot the difference
between a simile, a metaphor, hyperbole and
personification? This “Figurative Language”
Play
kahoot makes it as easy as pie.

Music: learning to read notes on the treble clef

A learning game for budding musicians!
Designed for beginners, this kahoot is a sharp
Play way to learn to read music and build confidence
sight-reading notes on the Treble Clef.

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GETTING
STARTED
Welcome to Kahoot! This section will give a quick recap on
getting started with our game-based platform. It will also
be helpful if you’re teaching others how to use Kahoot!, for
example, in a professional development session.

About Kahoot!
Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform for any subject,
in any language, on any device, for all ages. It’s designed to make
learning fun - but it’s not just for the classroom.

There are millions of people using Kahoot! every month in

hundreds of different settings, from classrooms to business
meetings to charity fundraisers, award ceremonies, and events. For
example, wedding kahoots seem to become a popular genre!

That’s right, Kahoot! is all about coming together and making

learning awesome. Whether you come together to learn about
quadratic equations or food trivia, it’s up to you.

One of the things that makes Kahoot! so unique

is that it’s a platform where you decide on the
content, the imagery and how the game is played. TOP TIP
Search in our public library with millions of kahoots
and adapt them for your learners, if you don’t have
time to create a game from scratch.

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GETTING STARTED

HOW TO MAKE YOUR

FIRST KAHOOT

Step 1: Log in and click Quiz, Jumble, Discussion, or Survey

Log in to create.kahoot.it and click Quiz, Jumble, Discussion, or
Survey to create a fun learning game in minutes, made from a
series of multiple choice questions.

Step 2. Add a description, tags, and cover image

Adding a good description helps you define learning objectives for
the game and keep it focused. Using descriptive tags will ensure
other teachers can find it easily. A great cover image helps the
kahoot stand out and attract more players.

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GETTING STARTED
How to make your first kahoot

Step 3: Create the learning game by adding questions,

answers, and imagery
Follow the instructions on-screen to add questions, answers,
images and video clips. You can also fine-tune the kahoot
using different timer and points settings or setting multiple
correct answers.

Have you tried Jumble

yet? This is a game format TOP TIP
where accuracy is king.
Players will have to place the
answers in correct order.

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GETTING STARTED

HOW TO PLAY YOUR

FIRST KAHOOT

Kahoots are best played in a group

setting, like a classroom or a TOP TIP
conference room – or even with Players don’t need
family in the living room. an account to
play!
Games are displayed on a shared screen – for
example a smart TV, a laptop or an interactive
whiteboard. You can also use screen sharing tools
like Skype, Appear.In, or Google Hangouts to include
players from other classes or other parts of the world.

Players join in using their own device – whether that is a

smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop doesn’t matter, as
long as they have a browser and good internet connection.

Step 1: Find a game to play

There are millions of public kahoots available on the platform.
Search for a game on a relevant topic, or choose a kahoot from the
start page. For example, try one of our curriculum-aligned games
in math, science, and other subjects.

Or maybe you’ve created your

own kahoot already? Open
the kahoot and click Play.

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GETTING STARTED
How to play your first kahoot

Step 2: Launch the game so players can join

Change the settings if you like (for example, randomize the order
of questions, control answer streak bonus, etc) and click on Classic
or Team mode to start letting players in.

A unique Game PIN will be displayed at the top of the screen.

Players enter this PIN to join the game in the Kahoot! app for iOS
and Android. Alternatively, if they can’t install the app on their
device, they can join by going to kahoot.it in their browser.

Step 3: Play the kahoot

Click Start once you can see all the players’ nicknames on the
“lobby” or waiting screen. During gameplay you can use the space
bar or your mouse to go to the next question.

At the end of the game, click Feedback and Results, and then
Final Results to save and download the scores, favorite, play again,
or play in Ghost Mode.
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GETTING STARTED

HOW TO ASSIGN A
KAHOOT AS HOMEWORK

In addition to playing live in a group setting, you can also assign

kahoots as homework with the challenge feature.

Save time on correcting assignments and make homework really

engaging for students. They play homework challenges after class
in our mobile app, and you get a neat report with the results.

On your computer, open a kahoot and hit the Challenge button.

Select when you want the challenge to end, copy the link or the
game PIN and share it with your students. For example, via LMS,
email, etc. It’s possible to challenge players from the mobile app,
too: log in to your account, open a kahoot you like, tap Play and
Challenge friends.

You can also challenge your friends and family with a

cool quiz for fun!

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GETTING STARTED

READ MORE ABOUT GETTING STARTED

The Official Kahoot! Professional

Development Superpack
Presenting Kahoot! at your next PD
session? Here’s a quick and simple starting
Read
point for explaining Kahoot! to novices,
downloadable presentations, plus some
inspiring new ways to play.

Running an EdCamp, TeachMeet or

Training Event? Download Some
Goodies Here!
A series of resources free to download
More
which you can use to brand your
presentations and events, plus a handy
user guide, t-shirt and sticker templates
and more.

IDEA #4: Organize a game of Kahoot! at your

next training event
The best way to learn about Kahoot! is to play
Kahoot! Create a kahoot for fellow teachers,
using the tricks you’ve mastered. Here’s how:
1. Create a fun kahoot applying everything you’ve learned at
the Masterclass
2. Launch the game on a large screen at your next PD
session or training event
3. Use each question to talk about a feature, setting, or trick
you’ve used - like including videos, multiple correct answers,
timer settings and image reveal.

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INSPIRING
WAYS TO PLAY
KAHOOT!
Did you know that there are hundreds of ways to play
Kahoot! beyond the basics?

With millions of Kahoot!’ers all around the world, we get to hear

about all the inventive and engaging ways you use Kahoot! to
make learning fun. In this section we’ll walk you through four
examples and help you master these powerful ways to play:

1 2 3 4
Blind Connected Ghost Learners to
Kahoot!’ing kahoots Mode Leaders

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!

BLIND
KAHOOT!’ING

A powerful way to introduce new concepts, blind Kahoot!’ing is

all about building knowledge brick by brick in a single game.

This term was coined by Kahoot! ambassador, wonderful

Stephanie Castle. In essence, rather than teaching the content and
then using Kahoot! to recap, you’ll be asking the toughest review
questions first, before you’ve even begun teaching that content.
This switches learners into very active “questioning” mode, the
perfect mindset for learning something new.

Blind Kahoot!’ing works best if you know it

is truly blind – in other words, that learners
have not yet been exposed to the content
TOP TIP
at all, and that it’s not been touched upon
by other teachers as part of a spiral curriculum.

That, of course, means taking the time to understand what

your students have learned in other classes.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Blind Kahoot!’ing

HOW TO INTRODUCE NEW

CONTENT WITH A BLIND KAHOOT

Step 1: Set a goal

Before getting started with a blind kahoot, you’ll need to have a
clear goal in mind as to what the lesson’s outcomes should be.
What is the single most important thing your learners will take
away from that lesson, and why? Make a note of the question
you would ask at the end of the lesson to make sure learners had
achieved this goal. Here’s an example:

Learners can confidently and correctly spell

GOAL
tricky words with ie and ei.

Step 2: Set milestones

As you move gradually towards that goal, there will no doubt be
milestones along the way. Before you get started creating your
kahoot, make a note of those milestones – they’ll help you form the
right questions. In the example above, the milestones might be:

Milestone 1 Milestone 2 Milestone 3

Learners recognize Learners can Learners confidently
that ie and ei often confidently apply the apply the “i before e”
make the same “i before e” rule rule with the “except
sound after c” rule

Step 3: Find examples, tricks, and rules to help learners reach

those milestones
Are there tricks or rules which would help your learners grasp the
new content? Make a note of those, as you’ll be using them to
explain the new subject during Kahoot! gameplay.

Spend some time finding and creating fun, relevant and tangible
examples of those rules in action.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Blind Kahoot!’ing

CREATING & PLAYING THE KAHOOT

Step 1: Create a Quiz kahoot with one section per milestone
Create a Quiz kahoot as usual - as though learners had already
learned the content. This time, though, imagine that the kahoot is
broken into several sections: Part 1 is to reach Milestone 1, Part 2 is
to reach Milestone 2, and so on.

Step 2: Set the scene with a question about the main goal
Learners will feel more connected to their learning journey if
you start out by setting some objectives for the lesson using an
introductory question. The first question in the kahoot should be
tied to the goal you made a note of earlier, and designed to grab
everyone’s attention.

Step 3: Ask the toughest question for Milestone 1 first

For each milestone, first ask the toughest question – one which,
if answered correctly and quickly, would demonstrate that your
learners have understood the content and are ready to move on.
This is called a blind question. When you actually play the kahoot,
be prepared for very few correct answers!

Step 4: Take the time to explain the answer to the blind

question
Having had to guess or answer the blind question incorrectly,
learners will now be actively seeking to understand how they could
have answered correctly. That moment is a prime opportunity to
explain the correct answer, using a trick or rule you’d made a note
of earlier.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Blind Kahoot!’ing

Step 5: Ask a series of questions based on your explanation of

the blind question
With the knowledge fresh in their minds, give learners the
opportunity to immediately and successfully apply what they
have just learned. In practice, that means adding a series of
reinforcement questions with the fun, relevant examples you’d
prepared earlier.

Depending on how complex a subject you’re tackling, that might

even mean 10 almost-identical questions. Have fun with it, turning
the timer right down to 5 or 10 seconds for the latter questions,
and using funny GIFs to keep them engaged. With each question,
learners will feel more and more confident about the new content.

Step 6: Ask your toughest Milestone 1 question (the blind

question) again
If you’re confident that learners have grasped the new content, ask
your toughest Milestone 1 question again. As it’s no longer “blind”,
this time around you’ll no doubt have correct answers across the
board!

Step 7: Throw them off course with a blind question about

Milestone 2
Now you’re ready to get started towards Milestone 2. The trick here
is tochallenge your learners by switching things up with another
blind question, something that doesn’t fit neatly with what they’ve
just learned so well.

Brimming with confidence from having correctly answered the

toughest Milestone 1 question, they’ll be shocked when they get
the first Milestone 2 question wrong. The benefit of throwing
them off course in this way? Learners will be actively engaged and
seeking to understand why they got the answer wrong.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Blind Kahoot!’ing

Step 8: Explain the answer

Now’s your chance to explain a new trick or rule, and demonstrate
how it builds on what they learned.

Step 9: Reinforce the new knowledge

Again, the trick is to give learners the chance to immediately and
successfully apply what they have just learned. If they were paying
attention a few minutes ago during your explanation, every learner
– not just your most advanced students – will have a chance to feel
success.

If learners are answering any of the reinforcement questions

incorrectly, take a few moments to re-explain the new content
before moving on.

Step 10: Ask a series of questions based on Milestones 1 and 2

At this stage, learners should feel very confident about what they
have learned during the Milestone 2 section. Now’s the time to mix
it up and give them a chance to apply their knowledge to more
complex questions and learn the subtleties. This series of questions
should be designed to let them apply everything they’ve learned
so far - they’re called compound reinforcement questions.

Step 11: Rinse and repeat!

Carry on in the same way until all of your learners are confidently
and successfully applying their new knowledge. You’ll be amazed
at the results – your learners will have truly grasped the new
concepts and had plenty of fun getting there.

Step 12: Challenge learners to beat their scores in Ghost Mode

To further reinforce knowledge and boost motivation, try using
Ghost Mode. Teachers often either send the Ghost Mode link as
homework so their students can try to beat their own scores at
home, or play in Ghost Mode during next week’s class so learners
can see just how far they’ve come.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Blind Kahoot!’ing

LET’S LOOK AT AN EXAMPLE OF

A BLIND KAHOOT
Here’s a quick look at blind kahoot the basics of mitosis, by IB
Biology teacher Stephanie Castle. Without any prior knowledge,
by the end of the kahoot her students can correctly and quickly
distinguish between chromosomes, homologous pairs, and
sister chromatids.

Preview, play, or duplicate and adapt Steph’s kahoot here

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Blind Kahoot!’ing

READ MORE ABOUT BLIND KAHOOT!’ING

Unveiling the magic: introducing new

topics with Kahoot!
Introducing a powerful way to Kahoot! as
part of an integrated lesson plan. Kahoot!’er
Read
and teacher Stephanie Castle takes us
through her approach to blind Kahoot!’ing.

The art of blind Kahoot!’ing

We’ve seen how powerful Kahoot! can be
to introduce new content, but how do you
even get started? Here are 5 tips and tricks
Read
to help you create your first blind kahoot.

The powerful language of play: a Kahoot!

hero story
Teacher Robyn Thiessen melts our hearts
with magic moments blind Kahoot!’ing
Read
with a non-verbal student, reminding us
how much inclusion, class participation and
accessibility mean to learners.

IDEA #1: Introduce a concept with a blind kahoot

Teaching something completely new? Build knowledge
brick by brick in a single game. Here’s how:
1. Ask the toughest blind question first to fire up
students’ inquisitive natures
2. Take the time to explain the correct answer, using
examples, rules or tricks
3. Let learners immediately apply and reinforce
fresh knowledge

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!

CONNECTED
KAHOOT!’ING

WHAT IS CONNECTED KAHOOT!’ING?

Using screen sharing or live streaming tools to loop in players
from anywhere in the world, connected Kahoot!’ing is all about
unleashing global learning without borders.

With so many ways to connect with fellow learners around the

world, it’s easier than ever to boost motivation with classroom
vs. classroom kahoots, or build cultural awareness by Kahoot!’ing
with learners in another country. Aside from a device and internet
connection, all learners need to join in a game is a shared screen…
whether they’re in the same room with you, connected through a
video call, or following a live broadcast of your game.

Start small by connecting with a

Kahoot!’er you know well from
another school.
TOP TIP
To make your first connected
Kahoot!’ing experience a success, you’ll
want to be aligned when it comes to how
it’s played or even collaborate on creating the kahoot itself.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Connected Kahoot!’ing

HOW TO ENRICH LEARNING WITH

CONNECTED KAHOOT!’ING

Step 1: Create the kahoot

Create a Quiz, Discussion or Survey kahoot as usual, but make sure
that there are opportunities for everyone to feel success. You might
want to adjust the language, tone or cultural references to make
your game more accessible to people from other countries.

Step 2: Find a co-host in another classroom, school, or country

Your co-host will need to get everything organized at their
location, making sure that their learners are gathered around a
shared screen at the right time, and ready with devices in hand.
It’s best to team up with someone who knows Kahoot! already so
that they can let their learners know what to expect before
getting started.

Step 3: Share the game with your co-host (optional!)

You don’t need to share the kahoot, but if you’re planning to
connect with another classroom it’s best to make sure both
teachers are happy with the content of the game. To share the
game, just click Share and then type in your co-host’s Kahoot!
username – they’ll be able to preview the questions and answers,
and thumbnails of the images you’ve included.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Connected Kahoot!’ing

Step 4: Launch a screen sharing application

Whether you use Skype, Google Hangouts, Appear.In, or
another screen sharing tool is up to you – the most important
considerations are that the co-host(s) can log in, and that you’re
comfortable using it for video calls and switching between your
camera and the screen.

To use Skype, the co-host(s) you’re connecting with will need a

Skype account and Skype installed on the computer they’re using
to join the game. To use Google Hangouts, they will need to have
a Google account, or an account for any Google application,
like YouTube.

Some Kahoot!’ers prefer to use Appear.In since an account isn’t

needed, but you’ll need to make sure Google Chrome is installed
on your computer and the host’s computer first.

Step 5: Connect!
Invite your co-host(s) to join a video call or an Appear.In room, just
as you would if you were calling one of your friends. Make sure
that the sound and camera are working correctly – it’s no fun if you
can’t hear each other!

Step 6: Let players get to know each other

Before launching a game, the host should take a moment to make
introductions and explain what’s about to happen. Encourage
learners to wave and say hello.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Connected Kahoot!’ing

Step 7: Share your screen

Now it’s time to switch over from the camera to screen sharing.
On most video call or screen-sharing applications, if you hover over
your screen you’ll see a little icon to Start Screenshare or Present
to Everyone – click on it, and select Entire Screen.

Check that your co-host(s) can now see your screen.

Step 8: Launch a game of Kahoot!

Now, launch the kahoot as usual. The Kahoot! “lobby” screen
should now appear on your screen as well as on the screens of all
the co-host(s) you’re connected to via screen sharing. Everyone in
every location will see the same PIN code to join the game.

Ask learners to add their

class name or location to
their nickname - it sparks
TOP TIP
a bit of healthy competition
when it comes to seeing
results on the scoreboard!

Step 9: Play the kahoot

Ready, set… Kahoot! After you’ve started the game, switch between
screen sharing and the camera whenever a question needs further
explanation or to cheer a player’s achievements.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Connected Kahoot!’ing

READ MORE ABOUT CONNECTED KAHOOT!’ING

How to use screen sharing to do a global
classroom kahoot
Step by step instructions for using Skype,
Google Hangouts, or Appear.In to play a
Read
kahoot on a shared screen.

The magic recipe for connected kahoots

Kahoot!’ing with other classrooms – that’s
when global learning is unleashed! We
asked Gina Ruffcorn, a champion of
Read
connected kahoots, to share her magic
recipe for learning across borders.

Kahoot! hero spotlight: Jen Williams

Jen works schools, universities, and
organizations around the world as a
transformational leader in education.
Read
Working with such diverse audiences is
lots of fun, especially when she’s able to
instantly engage all of them with Kahoot!

IDEA #2: Finding a classroom with Skype

Using Skype with Kahoot! is a super simple way to get
connected with other classes and schools - here’s how:

1. Find classes or teachers ready to connect here within

Microsoft Educator Community - what matters most is that
they’re just as fond of your subject as you are!
2. Prepare the kahoot on your selected topic.
3. Before connecting, ask your students to test their internet
connection on their devices.
4. Connect via Skype, so all students use the same game PIN, and
get Kahoot!’ing!

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!

GHOST MODE

WHAT IS GHOST MODE, ANYWAY?

Designed to challenge learners to beat

previous Kahoot! scores, Ghost Mode is all
about motivation, healthy competition, and
reinforcing learning through fun repetition.

Ghost Mode allows learners to compete against

their previous scores, which appear as ghosts on the scoreboard.
By sharing the kahoot’s Ghost Mode link, learners can also
challenge other people to play against their ghosts.

How you use Ghost Mode is up to you – some teachers send Ghost
Mode links to their students as homework to reinforce key facts
through repetition. Others might play the same game in Ghost
Mode several times throughout a term to motivate learners by
letting them see just how much they’ve progressed.

Some Kahoot!’ers use Ghost Mode to inject a bit of healthy

competition into the room, playing against the ghosts of
celebrities, other classes or even against the Kahoot! team.

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Ghost Mode

HOW TO MOTIVATE LEARNERS

WITH GHOST MODE KAHOOTS

Step 1: Play a kahoot

Launch a kahoot as usual, whether that’s in the classroom or as
part of a Connected Kahoot!’ing experience. As you’re playing,
Kahoot! will automatically be collecting the scores for each
question in the background – there’s no need for you to change
any settings.

Planning to share the Ghost Mode

link with another school or on social
media? Make sure players know their TOP TIP
nicknames will be visible to the public!
Many players prefer not to use their real or
full name, so give them a moment to come up
with a cool nickname. You can even build team spirit
by getting them to add their location or class name
to their nickname.

Step 2: Go to My Results
Playing the same game in Ghost Mode right away is easy - just
click on the Ghost Mode button at the end of the game.

To play again later, assign Ghost Mode as homework or to

challenge others to beat your scores, you’ll need to find the Ghost
Mode link in your My Results screen.

When logged in to Kahoot!, you should see your username at the

top of the screen. Click on your name to open a drop-down menu,
and choose My Results.

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Ghost Mode

Step 3: Click Share Link

On the My Results screen you will see a list of all the kahoots you’ve
launched or created. Next to each game, you’ll see Download,
Save, Play Again (with a Ghost icon) and Share Link - that last one
is the shareable Ghost Mode link.

Step 4: Challenge players to a kahoot in Ghost Mode

Copy and paste the Ghost Mode link into a message to students
or add it to your class intranet. When they get home, they can click
on the link and play again on their own or with friends.

You can challenge anyone to a

Ghost Mode Kahoot!-off... Go on TOP TIP
and share the link with fellow
Kahoot!’ers on Twitter!

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Ghost Mode

READ MORE ABOUT GHOST MODE

Introducing Ghost Mode
Do your students ask for more Kahoot!
at the end of a game? We’ve introduced
an alternative way to play games that, as
Read
always, is competitive and fun but also
helps reinforce learning through repetition.

Going for gold with Ghost Mode

Competition doesn’t always have to be
against your peers! Encourage students to
play a kahoot at home in Ghost Mode – just
Read
imagine the success they’ll feel when they
beat their personal best.

IDEA #3: Beat the ghosts of another class

Ready to up the ante? Have another class send you
their Ghost Mode links – if they dare! Here’s how:
1. Click the Ghost Mode link shared with you
2. Launch and join the kahoot in a social or
classroom setting - as usual
3. The other class’ ghosts will join you in the lobby – now all you
have to do is beat their scores!

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!

LEARNERS TO
LEADERS

WHAT IS LEARNERS TO LEADERS?

One of the most rewarding experiences is seeing learners take

the reins, using their knowledge and resourcefulness to create
and lead their own kahoots. We call this ‘Learners to Leaders’.

Our “Learners to Leaders” approach works with learners of any

age – whether they are kindergarten children learning their ABCs
or adults learning a new coding language.

Before you get started, think about how you’d approach any self-
directed project:

∙∙ Will they work together in groups, or tackle

individual kahoots?
∙∙ Are your learners able to grab a “challenge” prompt and
just get started?
∙∙ Will you need to create a question template first to help
them plan their questions and answers on paper?
∙∙ How will you celebrate their achievements and give them
a chance to shine?

Help your learners in the

beginning of their journey - share
TOP TIP
kahoot templates they could use
as a starting point.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Learners to leaders

HOW TO ENCOURAGE LEARNERS

TO BECOME LEADERS

Step 1: Make sure learners have registered Kahoot! accounts

To create or duplicate kahoots, every creator will need to register
(for free) with Kahoot! using a valid email address. With young
learners who don’t yet have an email address, the easiest way to
get them started is to create accounts for individual students or
groups using aliases of your own email address.

Step 2: Set a theme for the challenge

Learners love a good challenge, and will relish the chance to share
knowledge with their friends.

To make sure your Learners to Leaders challenge is a great success,

choose a subject you know is close to their hearts. For example,
ask them to create a fun kahoot about their favorite book and its
characters, or about the coolest inventor and their inventions, or
even to sum up their Honors thesis.

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Learners to Leaders

Player

Learner Researcher

Leader Creator

Teacher

Step 3: Encourage learners to research and plan their kahoots

Even the youngest learners know that a little planning goes a long
way. Make planning easier by allotting time for learners to visit the
library, by suggesting good online resources, or even by providing
them with a skeleton structure or checklist for their kahoot.

To help learners plan and create high quality kahoots, share the
notes from the section on How to make an awesome kahoot.

Step 4: Inspire them to get creative

Having learners create their own videos and images is a wonderful
way to reinforce knowledge and to help them feel more
connected to the content they’re learning.

Why not challenge learners to create and photograph a LEGO

model or video a science experiment? We’ve even seen larger-
than-life papier-mâché volcanoes, funny stop-motion animated
short films, and spinning solar systems in kahoots created by
inventive learners.

Going on a field trip? Bring along an iPad and have them capture
the best images from the day to add to their kahoot, too. We can’t
wait to see what they create!

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Learners to Leaders

Step 5: Create the kahoot

Now that learners have done their research and planning and have
some interesting images and videos to hand, it’s time to create the
actual kahoot.

Most learners over age 10 will be fine to just get started. Younger
learners might need a little guidance to create their first kahoot;
you could even have them submit their questions, answers and
artwork on paper and help them create the game if they’re not
yet comfortable using a computer.

Step 6: Preview their kahoots

While wanting to encourage independence, it’s a good idea to
preview each kahoot before learners take center stage and host
their game – in the same way you would if helping students prep
for an oral presentation.

Firstly, it gives you an opportunity to give them constructive

feedback – not to correct their work or take away from their sense
of ownership, but to give them the very best chance to improve it
and really impress their peers.

Secondly, sometimes naughty words or offensive content can find

their way into student work – you might find it’s best to deal with
those before the kahoot is played with the whole class.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Learners to Leaders

Step 7: Let learners take the lead inviting players and setting up
Whether learners are hosting games in the classroom or arranging
a popcorn-fuelled Kahoot!’athon in the auditorium, they will truly
enjoy being trusted to prepare and host the event.

Encourage them to self-organize, entrusting someone from the

group to set up the screen and computer, another to MC and
introduce each game’s creator, and so on.

Besides getting to sit back and enjoy yourself, you’ll be fostering

independence, forethought, collaboration, team-building,
clear communication, trouble-shooting, problem-solving, and
confidence in public speaking… in other words, true leadership
skills.

Step 8: Celebrate #LoudLearning by playing their kahoots

Having worked hard to create their own learning games, learners
will be looking forward to challenging their friends and classmates
to play their kahoot.

Aside from giving learners a remarkable sense of achievement,

you’ll have a unique opportunity to spot their strengths, areas
where they need more support, and what motivates them
to learn.

Better still, your learners will have had fun learning, become
more adept at their digital, creative, research and planning skills,
and also developed the invaluable “soft” skills it takes to become
a leader.

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Learners to Leaders

READ MORE ABOUT LEARNERS TO LEADERS

Player

Learner Researcher From learners to leaders with the

Kahoot! pedagogy
An introduction to the Kahoot! pedagogy,
and how it encourages both independent
Read
Leader Creator

or collaborative research and creation

Teacher

whilst empowering learners to share their

new-found knowledge with peers in a
playful and social manner.

Language learning with Kahoot!:

students creating their own kahoots
Carol Salva teaches English as second
language. Read this inspiring story on how
Read her learners create selfie kahoots to get to
know each other better.

Learners to leaders: watch Norwegian

students create their own kahoots
Students at Grav Skole in Norway created
kahoots in groups as part of their latest
Watch
project, using worksheets to plan
their questions.

Kahoot! of the Day: Black History Month

kahoot made by students
Talented and resourceful young learners
created this exceptional kahoot, using high
Read
quality images, prompts for discussion,
plausible wrong answers and incredible
opportunities for their peers to learn
something new.

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INSPIRING WAYS TO PLAY KAHOOT!
Learners to Leaders

SAMPLE RUBRIC FOR ASSESSING

STUDENT-CREATED KAHOOTS
Kahoot! user Jeremy Johnston (@helpteachtech) recently
shared with us how his students are using Kahoot! in class.
Jeremy is a technology teacher and EdTech enthusiast in
Brenham, Texas.

It was so great, that we thought we’d share it with everyone.

Perhaps you could adopt Jeremy’s approach in challenging
students to ask their own great questions?

He includes his instructions, rubric, tutorial, and submission video

that he gave to his students when tasking them to make their
own Kahoots on their last project.

Click here for more details on using this rubric

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IDEAS
IDEA #5: Livestream a kahoot
Install and launch a broadcasting or live streaming
application like YouTube or Facebook Live, and click
“stream” or “broadcast”. Now, share the broadcast link
with players and launch the game.

IDEA #6: Create a kahoot that IDEA #7: Beat your ghost
gets featured or a classmate’s ghost
High quality, engaging and Ghost Mode is a great way
well-researched learning to reinforce through fun
games attract thousands of repetition and see how
players worldwide through the much you’ve progressed.
Featured list on the platform Click “Ghost Mode” at the
and the Explore section end of a game, or use a link
on our website. Can you sent by the teacher to play
use our “How to make a against your own ghosts.
kahoot awesome” tips to
create a learning game
worth featuring?

IDEA #8: School vs. school

Don your school colors and connect with another school
for a game. Here’s how:
1. Gather together around a big screen in the school hall
or auditorium
2. Connect to another school through any screen share application
and have the hosts or school principals make introductions.
3. Launch the game on the shared screen, challenging your
schoolmates to bring their very best to the game.

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IDEAS

IDEA #9: Create a kahoot with video

Use video clips to bring a subject to life, deepen
understanding, or to prompt learners to think on their
feet. You can insert any YouTube video and set the start
and end times.

IDEA #10: Beat the IDEA #11: Create an

teachers’ ghosts image reveal kahoot

Gather teachers together to Animated GIFs with a

play a challenging kahoot, gradually revealed image
then copy the Ghost Mode are the perfect way to
link from the “My Results” boost engagement - but
screen. Share the link with by slowly revealing clues in
students by email or on the image, you’ll be giving
your school’s intranet everyone in the class a
and see if they can beat chance to feel success, too.
the teachers’ scores!

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SAY HELLO!
Get in touch anytime - whether you need a hand, have
stories or resources to share, want to chat about an event,
or just say hello.

@GetKahoot @GetKahoot @GetKahoot

@
@GetKahoot [email protected]

Latest news, tips, and tricks

Visit our blog to to read our latest news, inspiring stories from
Kahoot!’ers all over the world, classroom tips, as well as discover
new ways to play Kahoot!

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