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Boosting Reading and Listening Comprehension skills with Technology: Kahoot! VenTESOL workshop, 2018 By Maria Pearsall

Why Kahoot!

Engagement is the engine that drives meaningful and successful learning. When I came across Kahoot, I found what I call “a magic wand.” Kahoot has not only given my students a game, it has equipped them with the power to review, to lead, to test, and to have fun in an unique way. Unlike traditional methods, Kahoot allows students to play with classmates in the same classroom and with other classrooms at the same time. Yes, you’ve read it right; you can have as many classrooms, or people playing at the same time. Along with the fun, teachers and students can get real-time feedback.

Sparking creativity and fun is my goal in every class. As a language educator, I look forward to finding tools that focus on enhancing all four language skills. With Kahoot, learners of all ages and skill levels can improve reading and listening comprehension skills through playing.

It’s fun, interactive, collaborative, and meaningful. The best part, you can create games that fit your students’ needs, or use games that others have created. Students are hooked up and they always ask for the links they use in class to practice on their own. They have even created their own Kahoot, and we have played their games in class. Parents also get involved at home. It’s not just a classroom game. It’s fun everywhere.

It is learning transformed. In checking listening and reading comprehension, Kahoot supports critical thinking, problem solving, comprehension, and recognition of unique aspects of the language they are learning.

Kahoot can help teachers to individualize content and reach struggling learners. One can design and use Kahoot content that focuses on improving teachers’ and students’ personal achievement. Using technology and games to advance my students’ language learning skills has made reviewing class material enjoyable for me, for my students, and it has motivated them to continue to learn.

In addition, Kahoot oppens opportunities to all. Students not only use fill-in-the-blank activities, but they also use video clips and voice recordings which enhance their listening skills and focus. These features have also facilitated assessing students’ knowledge and progress more easily. Listening to stories and reading passages became an entertaining challenge ignited by Kahoot, and my students requested Kahoot every time they see computers in the classroom.

The purpose of this workshop was to provide participants with a useful easy to use resource as well as to support the use of technology to plan lessons. We must not forget that our students’ success is not determined by what we teach, but how we teach.

Resources in my Kahoot Presentation:

Learn/practice English with movies: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=learn+english+with+movies+the+incredibles

Songs/videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW3UFC5b4DI&list=RDhW3UFC5b4DI&t=34

Movie clips : https://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/eslvideo/index.html

Credits:

MariaPearsall, Hesperia Hotel Valencia, Venezuela, 2018