The educational technology tool I have chosen is Kahoot. Kahoot is an online learning platform that creates games in order to test your knowledge on a subject. I have used Kahoot in a classroom setting as well in an online class over zoom. The platform allows to for individuals to test how well they know a topic by making it a game against other peers in the classroom. Stommel and Morris presented 3 main questions when it comes to resisting educational technology. I took those questions and an online learning platform I am familiar with and answered them with as much detail as possible provided by Kahoot.

  • Kahoot was founded in 2012 by Jamie Brooker, Morten Versvik and Johan Brand. Partnered with the Norweigan University of Science and Technology they brought on professor Alf Inge Wang.
  • Kahoot is a game based learning tool, initially made for classroom learning Kahoot has now been introduced into business training sessions, sporting events and in any social context.
  • Depending on how you are participating in Kahoot the tools required to play differentiate. If you are an individual simply joining the game a game pin provided by the creator of the game is needed. You are required to create a name for the scoreboard, this does not need to be your real name. If you would like to create your own game you must create an account and provide, your account type whether you are using the account as a student, teacher, personal or professional. After choosing what account type each option has different tools that is asked from you. Student account asks for your date of birth, a username, an email and a password. Teacher accounts ask you to describe your workplace, and then for an email and a password. Personal accounts ask who you will play Kahoot with the most and then an email and password. Professional accounts ask for an email and password.
  • Kahoot collects data whenever an individual interacts with the service, they state that they also may collect how often you use the service as well as other performance data.
  • Personal information is collected for legal bases. Kahoot has many reasons as to why they collect your personal information a few examples range from marketing, enables you to use certain features and payments.
  • Kahoot allows for students and teachers to test knowledge together no matter where they are located. It provides teachers with information as to what students need to work on and prepares students for future tests. It has shown to decrease anxiety in students and increase the want to learn.
  • Kahoot states that their pedagogy is based on creating a trusted learning space, using both independent and collaborative research.

I chose this learning activity because of the amount of times I have personally used Kahoot. I was curious to look into the three questions and learn more about the online platform and how it can affect pedagogies. I am always interested in learning about more ways I can use online platforms in my future whether it be for personal use or to benefit my career in anyway. This activity taught me ways to properly assess whether a learning platform is worth using or resisting.