Are you an educator looking to gamify your classroom? A corporate trainer seeking to make employee development more engaging? Or perhaps just a trivia buff wanting to host a virtual game night with friends? If so, you‘ve likely heard of Kahoot – the wildly popular online quiz platform that has taken the world by storm.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll dive deep into all things Kahoot, including:
- What is Kahoot and how does it work?
- Kahoot‘s backstory and explosive growth
- How to create a free Kahoot account (with screenshots)
- Free vs paid Kahoot plans
- Legitimate ways to get Kahoot Premium for free
- Tips for creating awesome kahoots
- Data privacy and security considerations
- The future of Kahoot and game-based learning
Whether you‘re a Kahoot newbie or a seasoned host looking to up your game, this comprehensive post has something for you. Let‘s get quizzing!
What is Kahoot? A Primer
At its core, Kahoot is a game-based learning platform that allows users to create, play, and share interactive quizzes (called "kahoots"). Launched in 2013 by three Norwegian entrepreneurs – Johan Brand, Jamie Brooker, and Morten Versvik – Kahoot‘s mission is to "make learning awesome" by leveraging the power of play and friendly competition.
Here‘s how it works: A game host creates a kahoot on their device, which can be a mix of multiple choice questions, true/false, puzzle, polls, word cloud, or open-ended. The host then shares a unique game PIN with players, who join the live game via the Kahoot app or website using a second device. As the host displays questions on a shared screen, players answer in real-time on their own devices, earning points for speed and accuracy. The result is a high-energy, socially-driven learning experience that can be used in virtually any setting – classrooms, corporate offices, conferences, parties, you name it.
Fueled by the shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kahoot has seen absolutely explosive growth in recent years. Check out these mind-blowing stats:
| Kahoot Usage Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Active monthly users | 50 million |
| Countries used in | 200+ |
| Total participants since launch | 5 billion+ |
| Kahoots hosted monthly | 20 million |
| Cumulative kahoots created on platform | 100 million+ |
| Largest Kahoot game | 7,000 players |
Source: Kahoot Official Site, retrieved May 2023
According to the company, over 50% of K-12 students in the US use Kahoot for learning. Prominent corporate clients include Facebook, IBM, Uber, Pinterest, Unilever, and more. And it‘s not just for schools and businesses – over a third of Kahoot‘s usage actually happens outside of work/class for social gatherings and events.
The Science Behind Game-Based Learning
So what is it about Kahoot that makes it so dang engaging and effective for learners of all ages? The secret sauce lies in the power of game-based learning, which has been extensively researched by psychologists and educators alike.
Studies have found that well-designed learning games can:
- Increase motivation and engagement
- Improve knowledge retention and recall
- Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Provide real-time feedback and opportunities for practice
- Foster social interaction and collaborative learning
- Reduce learning anxiety and increase confidence
By packaging educational content into a fun, low-stakes game format, platforms like Kahoot tap into our natural desires for play, competition, and social interaction. The fast pace keeps players laser-focused, while the points system and leaderboard provide instant positive reinforcement. And because every player needs their own device, it ensures active participation rather than passive listening.
How to Create a Free Kahoot Account
Ready to join in the fun? Creating a free Kahoot account is quick and easy. Here‘s a step-by-step guide:
Go to kahoot.com and click "Sign Up" in the top right corner.
Choose your account type from the options listed (teacher, student, personal, or business).
Enter your date of birth and click "Continue."
Choose a unique username, or generate a suggested one by clicking the magic wand icon.
Enter your email address and create a secure password, then click "Continue."
Fill out the basic info form with your name, institution/organization, and primary use of Kahoot. You can also opt in/out of marketing communications here.
Click the verification link sent to your email to complete signup. And that‘s it – you‘re ready to start Kahooting!
Note: You can also choose to sign up using an existing Google, Microsoft, Apple, or Clever account to save time.
Once logged in, you can explore Kahoot‘s creator studio where you can build kahoots from scratch or search their 500+ million public question bank for inspiration. Hosting a live game is as simple as clicking "Play" and sharing the unique game PIN with your players.
Kahoot Free vs Paid Plans
Now, the moment you‘ve been waiting for – what do you actually get with a free Kahoot account? How does it compare to the premium paid plans? Here‘s the breakdown:
Basic (Free):
- Create and host kahoots with up to 40 players per game
- Access to 500+ million public kahoots
- Assign student-paced challenges with up to 20 questions each
- Basic reporting and analytics
Kahoot!+ (Paid):
- $17.99/month or $119.99/year for individuals
- Includes all Basic features plus:
- Host games for up to 2000 players (varies by plan)
- Larger question bank with millions of premium kahoots
- Advanced question types like polls, word clouds, puzzles
- Personalized learning features like question timers and practice mode
- More detailed reporting and analytics
- Priority customer support
For organizations, Kahoot also offers several other premium solutions:
- 360 Spirit ($10/host/month): For companies, non-profits, and adult learning groups. Host up to 100 players and collaborate as a team.
- 360 Pro ($20/host/month): Geared towards professional training. Host up to 200 participants and access advanced presenter features.
- EDU (Varies by school size): For K-12 schools and districts. Includes premium training, onboarding, and school-specific features.
As you can see, Kahoot‘s free plan still gives you access to tons of questions and a respectable number of players. Paid plans are best for power users like professional trainers or teachers who want to use Kahoot more extensively.
How to Get Kahoot Premium for Free
On a tight budget but still want those sweet premium Kahoot features? Here are a few legit ways you might be able to score an upgrade:
Free Trials: Kahoot occasionally offers limited-time free trials of their paid plans, usually to promote a new feature rollout. Keep an eye out for these!
Kahoot EDU Grants: K-12 educators in public schools who qualify for financial need can apply for a free year of Kahoot‘s premium EDU plan via this form. Homeschool parents and after-school programs may also be eligible.
Refer Friends: While not currently active, Kahoot has in the past offered referral promotions where users can earn free months of premium by getting others to sign up.
Social Media Giveaways: Follow Kahoot‘s social media accounts for contests and prize drawings, which sometimes include premium upgrades.
Educator Programs: Teachers can also unlock free Kahoot features by participating in professional development programs like Microsoft Innovative Educator.
Now, a word of caution – you may come across websites claiming to offer free Kahoot Premium accounts or hacks to bypass paywalls. However, using these is strictly against Kahoot‘s terms of service and can result in your account being banned. Not to mention, it‘s just plain unethical! We strongly advise against using any unofficial tools or logins.
Creating Killer Kahoots: Pro Tips
Now that you‘re a Kahoot account pro, let‘s talk about crafting quizzes that will wow your crowd. Here are some tips from experienced Kahoot hosts and e-learning experts:
Keep it concise: Aim for 10-15 questions max to maintain engagement. Each question should be 1-2 sentences, with answer choices no longer than 60 characters.
Strike a balance: Questions should be challenging enough to get those wheels turning, but not so difficult that players get frustrated. Aim for a 50-75% average accuracy rate.
Think visually: Capitalize on Kahoot‘s multimedia features by adding relevant images, GIFs, and YouTube video clips. It helps break up text and adds pizazz.
Use a variety of question types: In addition to classic multiple choice, try true/false, polls, word clouds, and puzzles to change things up and challenge different skills.
Encourage teamwork: Have players pair up in teams to promote discussion and collaboration. A little friendly rivalry always gets the energy up!
Provide immediate feedback: After each question, take a moment to explain the correct answer and clear up any confusion. This improves long-term retention and keeps players hooked.
Get creative with themes: Boost excitement by crafting kahoots around fun themes, holidays, pop culture events, or inside jokes with your group. A punny title goes a long way!
Of course, the golden rule of thumb is to always keep your specific audience and learning objectives in mind. What works for a classroom of 6th graders might not fly for a boardroom of executives!
Is Kahoot Safe to Use?
Given Kahoot‘s popularity with students and the amount of user data they collect, it‘s valid to have questions about the platform‘s data privacy and security measures. Especially if you handle sensitive information, you‘ll want to ensure it‘s protected from hackers or misuse.
According to their privacy policy, Kahoot does collect personal information like name, email, IP address, and usage activity. However, they claim to use this data only for account management, product personalization, and service improvements – never for advertising or sale to third parties.
Some key safety measures Kahoot has in place:
- Servers hosted on Google Cloud Platform with encryption and daily backups
- Secure payment processing via Stripe
- COPPA and GDPR compliant
- Optional two-factor authentication for account login
- Ability for account holders to access, delete, and download all personal data
- Parental consent required for students under 16 to create an account
Despite these safeguards, it‘s important to remember that no online platform is 100% immune to data breaches or leaks. Educators and organizations should obtain documented consent before requiring students/employees to use Kahoot. Administrators can also use custom URLs, set additional game security measures like password entry, and monitor security logs for suspicious activity.
The Future of Kahoot and Game-Based Learning
As remote work and e-learning become the norm, platforms like Kahoot are well-positioned to play a big role in the future of education and training. By making it easy for anyone to create and play learning games, Kahoot is democratizing access to engaging, interactive content.
Looking ahead, some exciting developments on the horizon for Kahoot include:
- Kahoot!+ Study: A brand new blended learning platform designed for higher education, with additional features like mobile study, flashcards, and adaptive learning algorithms.
- Deeper LMS Integrations: Tighter integration with learning management systems to enable seamless assignment tracking, grade syncing, and rostering.
- More Accessibility Features: Improved support for learners with disabilities, like enhanced keyboard navigation, alt-text for images, and dyslexia-friendly fonts.
- Expanded Content Partners: More premium content packs from big names in education like National Geographic, Common Sense Education, and Encyclopedia Britannica.
- Better Data Analytics: More granular insights into player performance, question trends, and game metrics to help hosts optimize their kahoots.
- Enterprise-Grade Security: Stricter compliance certifications and authentication protocols to meet the needs of large-scale corporate clients.
As an avid technologist and e-learning aficionado myself, I‘m excited to see how Kahoot and other game-based learning tools continue to evolve and shape the 21st-century classroom. One thing‘s for sure – with the power of play at our fingertips, we‘re in for a fun ride!
Go Forth and Kahoot!
Phew, that was a lot of info! By now, you should be a certified Kahoot expert – armed with the knowledge to create a free account, craft engaging quizzes, and even score some premium features without breaking the bank.
Whether you‘re an educator looking to spice up your lessons, a trainer wanting to boost employee engagement, or just a fun-loving host planning your next trivia night, Kahoot has something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start Kahooting!
Have you used Kahoot before? What are your favorite tips and tricks for creating awesome games? Let us know in the comments below, and happy quizzing!
