Engaging students in the learning process can be challenging, especially when reviewing material. However, incorporating interactive games into your teaching strategy can significantly boost student engagement, retention, and enjoyment. Here are five top review games that can transform your classroom into an exciting learning environment.
1. Factile
At the top of our list is Factile, a game-changing tool for educators looking to bring the excitement of Jeopardy into their classrooms. Factile is an innovative Jeopardy game maker that allows teachers to create customized quiz games or choose from an extensive library of over 2 million pre-made games. This versatility makes it an invaluable resource for reinforcing learning across various subjects and grade levels.
What sets Factile apart is its user-friendly interface and vast array of features. Teachers can easily create their own games by inputting questions and answers into categories, mimicking the familiar Jeopardy format. The platform also allows for the inclusion of images and videos, adding a multimedia dimension to the learning experience.
One of the most significant advantages of Factile is its accessibility. Games can be played on any device with an internet connection, making it perfect for both in-person and remote learning environments. Teachers can project the game board onto a screen for whole-class participation or have students access it individually on their devices for solo or small group play.
Factile also offers several customization options to tailor the game to specific classroom needs. Teachers can set time limits for answers, and even incorporate Daily Double-style bonus questions.
Moreover, Factile’s extensive library of pre-made games is a time-saver for busy educators. Teachers can browse through games created by other educators, covering a wide range of subjects and topics. This feature is particularly useful for last-minute review sessions or when looking for inspiration for new game ideas.
The competitive nature of Factile’s Jeopardy-style game format naturally encourages student engagement. Students are motivated to recall information quickly and accurately, reinforcing their knowledge in an exciting, low-stakes environment. The game format also promotes healthy competition and teamwork when played in groups.
Factile’s effectiveness in reinforcing learning stems from its alignment with proven educational strategies. The game format promotes active recall, a powerful learning technique where students actively bring information to mind rather than passively reviewing it. This process strengthens memory and improves long-term retention of the material.
In summary, Factile stands out as a top review game for classrooms due to its versatility, ease of use, and effectiveness in engaging students. Whether you’re reviewing for a test, introducing new material, or simply want to inject some fun into your lessons, Factile provides an excellent platform for interactive learning.
2. Kahoot!
Coming in at number two on our list is Kahoot!, a game-based learning platform that has taken classrooms by storm. Kahoot! allows teachers to create multiple-choice quizzes that students can answer in real-time using their own devices.
What makes Kahoot! particularly engaging is its colorful, high-energy interface and the element of time pressure. Students see questions displayed on a main screen and submit their answers as quickly as possible on their devices. The faster they answer correctly, the more points they earn, adding an exciting competitive element to the review process.
Kahoot! is excellent for quick formative assessments, allowing teachers to gauge student understanding instantly. The platform provides detailed reports after each game, giving teachers valuable insights into areas where students might need additional support.
One of Kahoot!’s strengths is its flexibility. Teachers can create their own quizzes from scratch, duplicate and edit existing ones, or choose from millions of public kahoots created by other educators. This vast library of pre-made quizzes covers virtually every subject and grade level, making it easy to find relevant content for your class.
The platform also offers different game modes to suit various learning objectives. For instance, the “Classic” mode pits students against each other individually, while the “Team mode” encourages collaboration. There’s also a “Ghost mode” where students can compete against their previous scores, promoting self-improvement.
Kahoot! can be an effective tool for reviewing before tests, introducing new topics, or reinforcing key concepts. Its game-like nature reduces test anxiety and makes the review process more enjoyable for students.
3. Quizlet Live
Third on our list is Quizlet Live, a team-based learning game that promotes collaboration and communication among students. Unlike individual quiz games, Quizlet Live requires students to work together to answer questions correctly.
Here’s how it works: The teacher creates or selects a set of terms and definitions on Quizlet. When the game starts, students are randomly assigned to teams, and each team member sees only some of the possible answers on their device. This setup necessitates communication within the team to match the correct term to its definition.
Quizlet Live’s collaborative nature makes it an excellent tool for promoting teamwork and peer learning. Students must discuss and agree on answers, which can lead to deeper understanding and retention of the material. It’s particularly effective for vocabulary review, historical dates, scientific concepts, and other fact-based learning.
The random team assignments in Quizlet Live also have social benefits, encouraging students to work with classmates they might not typically interact with. This can help build a more cohesive classroom community.
Teachers can monitor the game’s progress in real-time, seeing which questions are causing difficulty and which teams are performing well. This information can be valuable for identifying areas that might need further instruction or review.
4. Plickers
Fourth on our list is Plickers, a unique review game that stands out for its ability to engage students without requiring them to have their own devices. This makes it an excellent option for classrooms with limited access to technology.
Plickers works by giving each student a unique paper card with a QR-like code. Each side of the code corresponds to a multiple-choice answer (A, B, C, or D). To answer a question, students hold up their cards oriented to their chosen answer. The teacher then uses a smartphone or tablet to scan the room, instantly collecting and recording all student responses.
This low-tech approach to digital assessment has several advantages. It eliminates the distractions that can come with student devices, ensures equal participation from all students regardless of their access to technology, and allows for quick, anonymous feedback.
Plickers is particularly useful for formative assessment. Teachers can quickly gauge class understanding of a topic and adjust their instruction accordingly. The instant feedback allows for immediate discussion of misconceptions or difficult concepts.
The Plickers platform allows teachers to create and save question sets, making it easy to reuse or modify quizzes for different classes or review sessions. It also provides detailed reports on student performance, helping teachers track progress over time.
While Plickers might not have the same flashy interface as some other review games, its uniqueness and effectiveness make it a valuable tool in any teacher’s repertoire.
5. Gimkit
Rounding out our top five is Gimkit, a fast-paced review game that combines elements of trivia with resource management. In Gimkit, students answer questions to earn virtual cash, which they can then invest in powerups to increase their earning potential.
What sets Gimkit apart is its strategy element. Students must decide whether to use their earnings to purchase upgrades that will help them earn more money faster, or to save up for more expensive, powerful upgrades. This adds an extra layer of engagement beyond simply answering questions correctly.
Gimkit offers several game modes, including a team mode and a “Trust No One” mode where students can set traps for their classmates. These variations keep the game fresh and exciting, even when reviewing the same material multiple times.
Teachers can create their own question sets or use pre-made kits from the Gimkit store. The platform supports text, image, and audio questions, allowing for diverse question types to suit different subjects and learning styles.
One of Gimkit’s strengths is its adaptability. As students play, the game adjusts the frequency of questions based on individual performance, ensuring that students get more practice on concepts they’re struggling with. This personalized approach helps reinforce learning where it’s most needed.
Gimkit also provides detailed analytics for teachers, showing not only overall performance but also data on specific questions and concepts. This information can be invaluable for identifying areas that might need additional instruction or review.
Conclusion
Incorporating these review games into your classroom can significantly enhance student engagement and improve learning outcomes. Each game offers unique features and benefits, allowing you to choose the best fit for your specific classroom needs and learning objectives.
Remember, while these games are excellent tools for review and reinforcement, they should be used as part of a comprehensive teaching strategy. Balancing game-based learning with other instructional methods will provide students with a well-rounded educational experience.
By making review sessions more interactive and enjoyable, these games can help transform dreaded test prep into an activity that students actually look forward to. So why not give them a try? Your students – and their test scores – will thank you!