ClassKick Review: A Must-Have EdTech Tool For Your Classroom This Year

The Landscape of education is forever evolving, and technology has finally found itself in the spotlight instead of working behind the scenes. What was once seen as nice to have has now become essential. Education technology, or EdTech tools, provides innovations that can improve teaching and learning experiences. Many prominent tools are impacting the world of education, but one stands out. Classkick is an EdTech tool designed for real-time instruction. With its unique features, it is rooted in research-based teaching. It allows educators to create assignments that cater to diverse learning styles, track student progress, and address individual needs. This review will evaluate if Classkick is suitable for all classrooms and if it provides an easy way for educators to build relationships with students while respecting their privacy.

Classkick was designed by former high school teacher, Andrew Rowland. In an interview with Google for Developers, Rowland shares how his creation helps increase the number of aha moments for learners. He states, “With real-time feedback and collaboration from student to student, and student to teacher. . .teachers have more time to form relationships with their kids. . . to help them get unblocked is more than 10x what it would conventionally be” (Developers.google.com). This highlights how Classkick improves an instructor's ability to connect with their learner, which most professionals consider the key to instructional effectiveness. Teachers who prioritize building relationships would appreciate Rowland’s focus on providing opportunities for connecting with students individually.

What do the critics think about Classkick? A review of the EdTech tool was written by Med Kharbach, PhD, where he shines a light on how easy it is to use for students and teachers. The review suggests, “Classkick is a straightforward, four-step process. First, teachers create an engaging assignment. . . establish a roster. . . and link this roster to the assignment ... students sign in using a unique 6-digit class code” (Educatorstechnology.com). As noted, Classkick's simplicity and user-friendliness allow for a quick and easy setup in any classroom setting. Kharbach’s notes would be useful to teachers worried about how much of a task it is to integrate Classkick into their students’ routines.

Can this truly apply to any classroom setting? Marianne Rogowski, instructional technology coach, wrote a review of Classkick for teachers who are considering implementing it into their instruction. One way she admits Classkick shines is because of its “Ability to interact with and adapt instruction to individual students in real-time [it] allows for targeted progress monitoring and differentiation” (Commonsense.org). However, she also brings to the reader that, “The site navigation is a bit outdated, and depending on the number of students in a class, it can be a challenge for teachers to keep up with larger assignments” (Commonsense.org). In the end, Rogowski’s final advice to teachers interested in Classkick was, “It's a great option for teachers who want to go paperless, provide specific feedback, and encourage collaboration among students in virtual or 1-to-1 classrooms” (Commonsense.org). Although this EdTech tool has its advantages, it may not be the best fit for all educational environments. Those looking to use it would benefit if they taught in a virtual-synchronous setting.

What are the accessibility issues when using Classkick? If one were to visit the FAQ section of the company’s website, they’d find that transparency isn’t an issue. Classkick explains “Our roadmap includes plans to improve equitable access for all users, regardless of ability, situation, or context. We are working toward becoming ADA and WCAG compliant” (Classkick.com). This means that Classkick is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act or the World Wide Web Consortium. However, they do highlight their, “many features that help create an accessible experience in the classroom” (Classkick.com); such as Text to Speech for learners who struggle with written words and need to give oral feedback. Although there seems to be much room for improvement regarding accessibility, Classkick is making strides to provide a better service.

Are there any concerns about student privacy? One of the accessibility features Classkick props up is its Chat Feature, designed to be, “helpful for students who struggle with asking for help in front of others, non-verbal students, [or] the learner who requires an easier way of communicating” (Classkick.com). This feature emphasizes the EdTech tool's innovative way of addressing student privacy and accessibility. Depending on the environment, this feature can help students feel protected and confident, knowing they can have a private conversation with their teacher, even in a classroom full of others.

In conclusion, this EdTech tool enhances classroom efficiency by allowing teachers to monitor and guide student work seamlessly, fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. Classkick transforms traditional teaching methods by streamlining the instructional processes for educators and making learning fun and stress-free for students. It is inclusive for most classrooms but works best virtually and is a great fit for educators who want their students to feel a part of a community that respects their privacy.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are based on personal experiences and research at the time of writing. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or legal advice. While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, tools like ClassKick may evolve over time, and readers are encouraged to explore the platform themselves to make informed decisions. I am not affiliated with ClassKick, nor did I receive compensation for this review. Always consult with your school or district's technology policies before integrating new tools into your classroom.

Work Cited

“Andrew’s Story | Community, Network, Stories, and Programs.” Google for Developers, Google, developers.google.com/community/stories/

Classkick, ClasskickCo, 2024, classkick.com.

Kharbach, Med. “Classkick Review.” Educators Technology, EdTech Reviews, 10 May 2024, www.educatorstechnology.com/2024/02/classkick-review.html.

Rogowski, Marianne. “Classkick Review for Teachers.” Common Sense Education, Common Sense Media, 2021, www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/classkick.