Introduction
Assessing student learning is a critical aspect of education, and technology has made it easier and more efficient for teachers to gather data on student performance. Two popular educational apps that teachers use for this purpose are Kahoot and Quizlet. I will compare the two tools and determine which is better for assessing student learning.
ISTE Standard 7:
“Educators understand and use data to drive their instruction and support students in achieving their learning goals.”
My Question:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Kahoot and Quizlet for assessing student learning, and which platform is better suited for different types of assessments and learning objectives?
Overview of Kahoot and Quizlet:
Kahoot and Quizlet are both online platforms that allow teachers to create quizzes and games to assess student learning. Kahoot is a game-based learning platform that allows teachers to create interactive quizzes, surveys, and discussions that students can access via their mobile devices or computers. Quizlet, on the other hand, is an online platform that allows teachers to create study sets and flashcards for students to use for self-paced learning and assessment. (Liao, Y. W., Chen, N. S., & Lin, C. H. (2020)
Free and Paid Versions
Both Kahoot and Quizlet offer free and paid versions. Kahoot’s basic plan is free, but the premium version, Kahoot! Pro, offers additional features such as personalized branding, advanced reporting, and collaborative learning. Quizlet also offers a free version, but the premium version, Quizlet Teacher, offers additional features such as customizable quizzes, progress tracking, and the ability to create class accounts. (Kahoot.Quizlet)
Privacy Policies
Both Kahoot and Quizlet have privacy policies that protect student data. Kahoot’s privacy policy states that they collect personal information only for specific purposes and do not share it with third parties without consent. Quizlet’s privacy policy also states that they collect personal information only for specific purposes and do not sell or share it with third parties without consent. (Kahoot.Quizlet)
Benefits and Drawbacks of Kahoot
Kahoot has several benefits for assessing student learning, including:
- Engaging and Interactive: Kahoot’s game-based learning format makes it more engaging and interactive than traditional assessment methods, which can increase student motivation and participation.
- Real-time Data Analysis: Kahoot provides real-time data analysis, which allows teachers to track student progress and adjust instruction as needed.
- Customizable: Kahoot is customizable, allowing teachers to create quizzes and games that align with their specific learning objectives.
Bao, W., & Sweeney, J. (2019)
Some of the drawbacks of Kahoot include:
- Limited Assessment Types: Kahoot is primarily designed for multiple-choice questions, which may not be suitable for all assessment types.
- Limited Question and Answer Options: Kahoot has limited question and answer options, which may not allow for more complex or nuanced responses.
Dichiaro, D., & Ciampa, K. (2019).
Benefits and Drawbacks of Quizlet
Quizlet also has several benefits for assessing student learning, including:
- Self-Paced Learning: Quizlet’s self-paced learning format allows students to learn and review at their own pace, which can help with retention and recall.
- Diverse Question Types: Quizlet allows for a diverse range of question types, including multiple-choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank, which can accommodate a range of assessment needs.
- Customizable: Quizlet is customizable, allowing teachers to create study sets and quizzes that align with their specific learning objectives.
Gopalakrishnan, L., & Soni, A. (2021).
Some of the drawbacks of Quizlet include:
- Limited Interactivity: Quizlet is less interactive than Kahoot, which may make it less engaging for some students.
- Limited Data Analysis: Quizlet does not provide real-time data analysis, which may make it more challenging for teachers to track student progress and adjust instruction as needed.
Aragon, C., & Immediato, T. (2019).
Recommendation
Based on the comparison of Kahoot and Quizlet, both tools have their advantages and drawbacks. However, Kahoot’s game-based learning format and real-time data analysis make it a more engaging and effective tool for assessing student learning, particularly for formative assessment. Therefore, if I had to choose only one tool for my classroom, I would recommend Kahoot.
Conclusion
After evaluating both Kahoot and Quizlet, it is clear that both tools have their own unique benefits and drawbacks for assessing student learning. Kahoot is a game-based learning platform that allows for interactive quizzes and surveys, while Quizlet is a study tool that provides students with self-paced learning and assessment opportunities.
In terms of privacy policies, both platforms are committed to protecting student data and adhere to privacy laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Both platforms also offer free and paid versions with varying features and capabilities.
If I had to choose only one tool for my classroom, I would recommend Kahoot. The interactive nature of the platform allows for more engagement and participation from students, which can lead to a more effective assessment of their learning. Kahoot also offers collaborative learning opportunities and advanced reporting features in their paid version, which can be valuable for teachers looking to analyze student performance data.
Overall, both Kahoot and Quizlet are useful tools for assessing student learning, and the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the classroom.
References:
Aragon, C., & Immediato, T. (2019). The effects of Quizlet use on learning and retention of medical terminology. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 14(3), 182-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2018.12.002
Bao, W., & Sweeney, J. (2019). The effects of Kahoot!, an educational technology, on performance, engagement, and learning in undergraduate nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 75, 65-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2019.01.015
ISTE standards: Educators (no date) ISTE. Available at: https://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards-for-teachers
Gopalakrishnan, L., & Soni, A. (2021). The effectiveness of Quizlet in learning and retention: A systematic review. Journal of Education and Learning, 10(3), 27-42. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v10n3p27
Kahoot! (n.d.). Pricing. Retrieved from https://kahoot.com/pricing/
Quizlet. (n.d.). Compare Plans. Retrieved from https://quizlet.com/upgrade?redirect_uri=%2Faccount%2Fbilling%2Fplans
Liao, Y. W., Chen, N. S., & Lin, C. H. (2020). Comparing the effectiveness of Kahoot! and Quizlet in supporting learning outcomes. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 58(5), 1304-1327. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0735633120902806
