With technology becoming more apparent in students’ lives today, teachers are incorporating more technology in classrooms, including the use of interactive tools like Kahoot, Pear Deck and Smartboard Clickers. Through these tools, students can be further engaged through quizzes, discussions and surveys with the use of smartphones, computers and tablets.
Using these games and activities raises students’ levels of engagement, increasing their involvement in class while also letting teachers know their progress in the class. Math teacher Cheri Dartnell states, “I think that it raises the level of engagement, which makes them more involved in class and makes them more accountable. With Pear Deck, I can see every single response of every student.”
Using technology in classrooms helps some students better retain their knowledge. Sophomore Sophie Louie says, “I think the tools help me review for a test. It’s fun, and you can remember the material at the same time.”
However, even with benefits, these tools may still have flaws. Senior Geth Wu says, “I do believe interactive tools help students in class because tools like Kahoot force students to have a healthy competition among classmates. On the other hand, an excessive amount of Kahoot takes away the excitement and enjoyment of these tools.”
Additionally, the success of these tools depends on how seriously the students approach the activities. Senior Puneet Mahesha says, “Some kids take the tools seriously and others don’t. The ones who don’t tend to do worse in their classes.”
Other pitfalls with these tools include internet issues, which occur from time to time. Aragon English teacher Sandra Skale says, “Sometimes the internet can be a little slow or students have trouble logging in right away; other times it works just fine.”
Dartnell also touched on these internet problems, saying, “The internet issues are rare and the devices work really well, but sometimes there are unknown issues or the site goes down.”
Tools like Kahoot help bring out the competitive spirit in students and helps them with memorization. Junior Brent Marin explains, “Kahoot allows me to study for tests in a way that I can enjoy. I think the more students that are into sports, where it’s competitive, they take it more seriously because they want to win. There might be better ways to learn, but they are boring and not as fun and enjoyable as Kahoot.“
Junior Jordan Chall, too, has a similar view: “It brings out my competitive edge and helps me retain the information.”
Regarding students’ use of the tools, Skale adds, “Students … seem genuinely engaged in the activities using them.”
Despite some small user glitches with the new interactive tools, it seems promising that these additions to the classroom will aid students in both their educational and hands-on learning experience.
