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28 Oct 2015

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The art of Blind Kahoot!ing

A powerful way to teach new concepts, the “Blind Kahoot” is all about building knowledge brick by brick in a single game… but how do you even get started? IB Bio Teacher & Kahoot!’er Steph Castle shares her (totally GENIUS) tips and tricks on the art of Blind Kahoot!’ing.

First, why create a Blind Kahoot?

While many people create and play kahoots for review, formative assessment or to re-energise the class, kahoots designed to teach take Kahoot!’ing to a whole new level. Using Kahoot! as an instructional tool takes some careful planning and a solid understanding of your learners, but it’s by far the most powerful way to use the platform – in fact, some teachers tell us it is the way to use Kahoot!

Why? Well, blind kahoots are designed to give every learner a chance to feel success and motivation throughout the game, and with long lasting effects.

In a single game, you’ll be sparking curiosity about the new topic, laying the foundations for understanding increasingly complex concepts, and giving learners the opportunity to immediately and successfully apply their knowledge.

Check out the story of Blind Kahoot!’ing below!

How to create a Blind Kahoot

Ready to try making a Blind kahoot of your own? Once you’ve learned the basic structure, you’ll quickly become adept at creating Blind kahoots in your own personal style and perfectly tuned to your learners. For now, though, you might find it easier to start here!

  • Blind kahoot template: We designed this kahoot especially for teachers to quickly and easily adapt for their own subjects. Preview the kahoot to learn the basic structure and some tips that will make even your very first Blind kahoot stand out. Then, duplicate the kahoot and edit to adapt it for your topic and learners.
  • Step-by-step guidance: Skip to page 11 of The Kahoot! Guide to Creating & Playing Learning Games and you’ll find practical step-by-step guidance to help you plan, create and lead a Blind kahoot.

Top Tips from Stephanie Castle!

Without further ado, here are IB Bio Teacher Stephanie Castle’s top tips for Blind Kahoot!’ing…

1. Level the playing field

According to Steph Castle, “Blind” Kahoot!’ing works best if you know it is truly blind – not already covered as part of a spiral curriculum. That, of course, means taking the time to understand what your students have learned in other classes.

“The first question is almost a bit more psychological, it’s more about levelling the playing field.”

From Steph’s perspective, the first question really catches them off guard, and flips the students straight into questioning mode.

2. Sneak in some rules

Now is the perfect moment to explain what the correct answer was, and why – for example, a rule that she applied to deduce the correct answer. The second and third questions are opportunities for the students to apply that very same rule, which helps consolidate that knowledge and really make it stick.

When she’s happy that everyone gets it, she might pose a similar question, but with a tiny twist, and an opportunity to introduce a new rule.

"They soon get the hang of it and will already start to apply the new knowledge they gained in that same quiz."

3. Spark critical thinking

She also advocates making the most of being able to embed images and video, and using those to prompt critical thinking. Get them to look BEHIND the pictures and the charts. What is the chart showing? More importantly, what is it not showing?

"Sometimes it’s not about the answers – it’s about getting them to look more critically at the question and at the research. "

We. Are. In. Awe.

And we are of course super, super grateful to have awesome users like this superstar who shed light on new ways to use Kahoot! and help make learning awesome. You rock, Steph.

Planning on Blind Kahoot!’ing in your classroom? Make sure you tag your kahoots #blindkahoot so we can check them out and share our favorites with the rest of the community. You can share them with us on twitter too @GetKahoot!

About our featured Kahoot!’er

Stephanie Castle is a most marvellous Super Kahoot!’er, Apple Distinguished Educator (check her out on iTunes U!), and IB Biology teacher. In her spare time you’ll probably find her testing clever ways to use iPads to enhance learning in science, speaking aboutlive streaming technology and its use in blended learning, and making the most awesome science videos EVER. Give her a high five on Twitter @castlestephanie.

What is a Blind kahoot, by Stephanie Castle

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