How to Share a Kahoot: A Step-by-Step Guide for Educators and Trainers
Kahoot! has become an indispensable tool for educators, trainers, and anyone looking to make learning fun and engaging. Its interactive, game-based approach transforms traditional lessons and presentations into exciting challenges that capture attention and boost retention. One of Kahoot!’s key strengths lies in its shareability, allowing you to easily distribute your creations to students, colleagues, or workshop participants. Whether you want to assign a self-paced challenge or lead a live game, sharing your Kahoot is simple and straightforward. This comprehensive guide provides detailed step-by-step instructions and tips on how to share a Kahoot effectively.
Why Share a Kahoot?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s quickly recap why sharing your Kahoots is so beneficial:
* **Engaging Learning:** Kahoots transform learning into a game, increasing student participation and motivation.
* **Reinforcement:** They provide a fun and effective way to review concepts and reinforce learning.
* **Assessment:** Kahoots offer immediate feedback on student understanding, allowing you to identify areas that need further attention.
* **Collaboration:** Sharing allows colleagues to use and adapt your Kahoots, fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices.
* **Accessibility:** Students can access Kahoots on various devices, making learning more accessible.
* **Flexibility:** Kahoots can be used in live, virtual, or self-paced learning environments.
Methods for Sharing a Kahoot
Kahoot! offers several ways to share your Kahoots, each suited to different scenarios. These include:
* **Live Game:** Host a live game in a classroom, meeting room, or virtual environment.
* **Challenge Mode (Self-Paced):** Assign a Kahoot as a self-paced challenge for students to complete independently.
* **Direct Link:** Share a direct link to your Kahoot for easy access.
* **Embed Code:** Embed the Kahoot directly into a website or learning management system (LMS).
* **Collaborate:** Invite others to collaborate on editing and improving the Kahoot.
We’ll explore each of these methods in detail below.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sharing a Kahoot
Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to share your Kahoot using each of the methods mentioned above:
1. Sharing a Kahoot for a Live Game
This method is ideal for real-time interaction in a classroom, meeting room, or virtual conference. Here’s how to do it:
**Step 1: Log in to Your Kahoot! Account:**
* Go to the Kahoot! website ([https://kahoot.com/](https://kahoot.com/)) and log in to your account. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one.
**Step 2: Find the Kahoot You Want to Share:**
* Once logged in, navigate to your ‘Library’ to find the Kahoot you want to use for the live game. You can also use the search bar to quickly locate a specific Kahoot.
**Step 3: Start the Live Game:**
* Hover over the Kahoot you want to share and click the ‘Play’ button. This will present you with two options: ‘Teach’ (for a live game) and ‘Assign’ (for a self-paced challenge). Choose ‘Teach’.
**Step 4: Choose Game Mode:**
* You’ll be presented with two game modes: ‘Classic’ and ‘Team mode’.
* **Classic Mode:** Players compete individually.
* **Team Mode:** Players compete in teams, sharing devices.
* Select the game mode that best suits your needs.
**Step 5: Adjust Game Options (Optional):**
* Before starting the game, you can customize the game options. These include:
* **Friendly nickname generator:** Allows Kahoot! to generate nicknames for players.
* **Randomize question order:** Shuffles the order of questions.
* **Randomize answer order:** Shuffles the order of answer options.
* **Show questions and answers on players’ devices:** Displays the questions and answers on players’ screens (recommended for virtual games).
* **Enable two-step join:** Adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access.
* **Mute video:** Mutes the intro video.
* Adjust these options as needed.
**Step 6: Share the Game PIN and Instructions:**
* Once you’ve selected your game mode and adjusted the options, Kahoot! will generate a unique game PIN. This PIN is displayed prominently on the screen.
* Instruct your students or participants to:
* Go to [https://kahoot.it/](https://kahoot.it/) on their devices (smartphones, tablets, or computers).
* Enter the game PIN.
* Enter a nickname.
* Once players have entered the PIN and nickname, their names will appear on your screen. You can then start the game.
**Step 7: Start the Game:**
* Click the ‘Start’ button to begin the live game.
* The questions and answer options will be displayed on your screen, and players will select their answers on their devices.
2. Sharing a Kahoot for a Self-Paced Challenge
This method is ideal for assigning Kahoots as homework or independent learning activities. Here’s how to do it:
**Step 1: Log in to Your Kahoot! Account:**
* Go to the Kahoot! website ([https://kahoot.com/](https://kahoot.com/)) and log in to your account.
**Step 2: Find the Kahoot You Want to Share:**
* Navigate to your ‘Library’ to find the Kahoot you want to assign as a challenge. You can also use the search bar to locate it.
**Step 3: Assign the Kahoot:**
* Hover over the Kahoot you want to share and click the ‘Play’ button. Choose ‘Assign’.
**Step 4: Set the Challenge Deadline:**
* Set a deadline for the challenge. This is the date and time by which students must complete the Kahoot.
**Step 5: Adjust Challenge Options (Optional):**
* You can customize the challenge options. These include:
* **Friendly nickname generator:** Allows Kahoot! to generate nicknames for players.
* **Randomize question order:** Shuffles the order of questions.
* **Show questions and answers on players’ devices:** Displays the questions and answers on players’ screens (recommended for virtual games).
* **Player identifier:** Requires players to enter a username, often an email address.
* **Question timer:** Adjusts the time limit for each question.
* Adjust these options as needed.
**Step 6: Share the Challenge Link:**
* Once you’ve set the deadline and adjusted the options, Kahoot! will generate a unique challenge link and PIN. You can share this link in several ways:
* **Copy the link and share it via email, messaging app, or LMS.**
* **Share directly to Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Remind, or other integrated platforms.**
**Step 7: Monitor Progress:**
* You can track student progress and view results in your Kahoot! account.
* Go to the ‘Reports’ section to see who has completed the challenge and their scores.
3. Sharing a Kahoot with a Direct Link
This method is suitable for quickly sharing a Kahoot without assigning it as a live game or challenge. It provides a simple way for others to access and play the Kahoot on their own. This essentially allows someone to practice playing the Kahoot.
**Step 1: Log in to Your Kahoot! Account:**
* Go to the Kahoot! website ([https://kahoot.com/](https://kahoot.com/)) and log in to your account.
**Step 2: Find the Kahoot You Want to Share:**
* Navigate to your ‘Library’ to find the Kahoot you want to share. You can also use the search bar to locate it.
**Step 3: Access the Kahoot Details Page:**
* Click on the title of the Kahoot to open its details page. This page displays information about the Kahoot, including its questions, settings, and previous results.
**Step 4: Find the “Share” Button:**
* On the Kahoot details page, look for the “Share” button. It’s usually located near the top of the page, often next to options like “Play” and “Edit.”
**Step 5: Copy the Direct Link:**
* Clicking the “Share” button will open a pop-up window or a slide-out panel with different sharing options. Look for the option to copy a direct link. This link will allow anyone with access to it to play the Kahoot.
**Step 6: Share the Link:**
* Copy the direct link and share it via email, messaging app, social media, or any other platform you prefer.
4. Embedding a Kahoot on a Website or LMS
Embedding a Kahoot allows you to seamlessly integrate it into your website, blog, or learning management system (LMS), making it easily accessible to your audience. This is particularly useful for educators who want to incorporate Kahoots into their online courses.
**Step 1: Log in to Your Kahoot! Account:**
* Go to the Kahoot! website ([https://kahoot.com/](https://kahoot.com/)) and log in to your account.
**Step 2: Find the Kahoot You Want to Embed:**
* Navigate to your ‘Library’ to find the Kahoot you want to embed. You can also use the search bar to locate it.
**Step 3: Access the Kahoot Details Page:**
* Click on the title of the Kahoot to open its details page.
**Step 4: Find the “Share” Button:**
* On the Kahoot details page, look for the “Share” button.
**Step 5: Find the Embed Code:**
* Clicking the “Share” button will open a pop-up window or a slide-out panel with different sharing options. Look for the option to get an embed code. The location may vary depending on Kahoot!’s interface updates, but it’s typically within the sharing options.
**Step 6: Copy the Embed Code:**
* Copy the embed code provided. This code is typically an HTML snippet that you will paste into your website or LMS.
**Step 7: Embed the Code on Your Website or LMS:**
* Go to the page or section of your website or LMS where you want to embed the Kahoot.
* Switch to the HTML editor of your website or LMS. This is usually an option within the content editor that allows you to view and edit the raw HTML code.
* Paste the embed code into the HTML editor at the location where you want the Kahoot to appear.
* Save your changes and preview the page to ensure the Kahoot is embedded correctly.
**Important Considerations for Embedding:**
* **Responsiveness:** Ensure that the embedded Kahoot is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes. You may need to adjust the width and height parameters in the embed code to achieve this.
* **Compatibility:** Test the embedded Kahoot on different browsers and devices to ensure compatibility.
* **LMS Integration:** Check if your LMS has a direct Kahoot integration feature. This may be a more convenient way to embed Kahoots than using the embed code.
5. Collaborating on a Kahoot with Others
Kahoot! allows you to collaborate with other users on creating and editing Kahoots. This is a great way to work together on developing engaging and effective learning resources.
**Step 1: Log in to Your Kahoot! Account:**
* Go to the Kahoot! website ([https://kahoot.com/](https://kahoot.com/)) and log in to your account.
**Step 2: Find the Kahoot You Want to Collaborate On:**
* Navigate to your ‘Library’ to find the Kahoot you want to collaborate on. You can also use the search bar to locate it. If you want to create a new Kahoot together, start by creating a new Kahoot.
**Step 3: Access the Kahoot Details Page:**
* Click on the title of the Kahoot to open its details page.
**Step 4: Find the “Share” Button:**
* On the Kahoot details page, look for the “Share” button.
**Step 5: Invite Collaborators:**
* Clicking the “Share” button and look for a section for collaboration and find the option to invite collaborators. You can usually invite collaborators by entering their email addresses or Kahoot! usernames.
**Step 6: Set Permissions:**
* When inviting collaborators, you can typically set their permissions. This determines what they can do with the Kahoot. Common permissions include:
* **Can Edit:** Allows the collaborator to edit the Kahoot’s content, questions, and settings.
* **Can Play:** Allows the collaborator to play the Kahoot but not edit it.
* Choose the appropriate permissions for each collaborator.
**Step 7: Send the Invitation:**
* Once you’ve entered the collaborator’s email address (or username) and set their permissions, send the invitation. The collaborator will receive an email or notification with a link to access the Kahoot.
**Collaborating on Edits:**
* Once a collaborator accepts the invitation, they can access the Kahoot and make changes according to the permissions you’ve granted. You can see who is currently editing the Kahoot and their changes in real-time. It’s beneficial to communicate and coordinate changes so no one accidentally deletes anything important.
Tips for Sharing Kahoots Effectively
To maximize the impact of your Kahoots, consider these tips:
* **Clearly Communicate Instructions:** Provide clear instructions to students or participants on how to join the Kahoot.
* **Test Before Sharing:** Always test your Kahoot before sharing it to ensure that it works as expected.
* **Consider Your Audience:** Tailor your Kahoot content and difficulty level to your audience.
* **Promote Friendly Competition:** Encourage a friendly and supportive learning environment.
* **Provide Feedback:** Offer feedback to students or participants on their performance in the Kahoot.
* **Analyze Results:** Use the Kahoot! reports to analyze student understanding and identify areas for improvement.
* **Use Relevant Images and Videos:** Enhance engagement by incorporating relevant images and videos into your Kahoot questions.
* **Keep it Concise:** Keep your Kahoot questions and answers concise to maintain attention.
* **Vary Question Types:** Use different question types (e.g., multiple-choice, true/false, puzzles) to keep things interesting.
* **Promote Accessibility:** Ensure your Kahoot is accessible to all learners by using clear and simple language, providing alternative text for images, and considering color contrast.
* **Brand Your Kahoots:** If you’re using Kahoot! for professional training or marketing purposes, consider branding your Kahoots with your company logo and colors.
* **Use Folders for Organization:** Organize your Kahoots into folders to keep them organized and easy to find.
Troubleshooting Common Sharing Issues
Here are some common issues you might encounter when sharing Kahoots and how to troubleshoot them:
* **Players Can’t Join the Game:**
* **Incorrect PIN:** Double-check that you have shared the correct game PIN.
* **Network Issues:** Ensure that players have a stable internet connection.
* **Too Many Players:** Kahoot! has limits on the number of players that can join a game depending on your subscription plan. Make sure you haven’t exceeded the limit.
* **Nickname Issues:** If players are having trouble entering a nickname, suggest using the friendly nickname generator.
* **Embedded Kahoot Doesn’t Display Correctly:**
* **Incorrect Embed Code:** Verify that you have copied and pasted the embed code correctly.
* **Website/LMS Compatibility:** Ensure that your website or LMS supports embedding iframes.
* **Code Conflicts:** Check for any code conflicts with other elements on your website or LMS page.
* **Challenge Link Doesn’t Work:**
* **Expired Deadline:** Verify that the challenge deadline has not passed.
* **Incorrect Link:** Double-check that you have copied and pasted the challenge link correctly.
* **Collaborators Can’t Access the Kahoot:**
* **Incorrect Email Address:** Verify that you have entered the correct email address for the collaborator.
* **Invitation Not Accepted:** Ensure that the collaborator has accepted the invitation.
* **Incorrect Permissions:** Check that the collaborator has the necessary permissions to access and edit the Kahoot.
Conclusion
Sharing Kahoots is a powerful way to enhance learning and engagement. By following the step-by-step instructions and tips outlined in this guide, you can easily share your Kahoots with students, colleagues, and workshop participants in various learning environments. Whether you’re hosting a live game, assigning a self-paced challenge, or embedding a Kahoot on your website, Kahoot!’s flexible sharing options make it a versatile tool for educators and trainers. Embrace the power of game-based learning and start sharing your Kahoots today!