How I Use Kahoot!, Classpoint, SLIDO, and More to Teach My Journalism and Visual Communication Modules

When I began teaching journalism and visual communication, I knew I didn’t want my classroom to be a place where students just listened and took notes. I wanted to create a space where they could actively engage, think critically, and most importantly, have fun. But how do you make subjects like media convergence or principles of design engaging for first-year students? The answer came to me through games.

1. The classic, Kahoot!

Kahoot! has always been my go-to for bringing a burst of energy to the classroom. It turns a typical review session into something students actually look forward to. In my Visual Communication and Introduction to Journalism modules, I use Kahoot! to quiz students on everything from journalism ethics to gestalt theory. Watching students race to answer questions on their phones always adds a spark of competition and excitement.

For example, when covering topics like how social media has changed journalism, I might throw in questions about which platforms are leading the charge in media convergence. The real-time feedback from the leaderboard keeps them focused, and they love seeing who’s on top at the end of each quiz.

2. Classroom Feud with ClassPoint

Looking for new ways to switch up the routine, I started using ClassPoint, a tool that allows for live quizzes and audience interaction right within a PowerPoint presentation. That’s when I came up with the idea for “Classroom Feud,” a spin on the classic Family Feud game.

In this setup, I split the class into teams and ask them to answer questions based on course topics, from identifying news values to discussing the role of the media as a watchdog. Teams only have a short time to agree on and submit their answers, and powerpoint shows the results instantly.

The beauty of this approach is the collaboration it inspires. Watching students debate over answers and work as a team mirrors the real-world dynamics of newsroom collaboration, which is exactly the kind of skill-building I aim for in my modules. And of course, winning teams always get bragging rights!

3. The versatile and interactive, SLIDO

While I use ClassPoint for game-style quizzing, SLIDO has become a powerhouse in my classroom for fostering real-time interaction. SLIDO allows me to do more than just run quizzes; it opens the door to live polls, multiple-choice questions, word clouds, and even open-text responses, all within the same session.

The live polling feature is invaluable. I use it to check in with students’ understanding of key journalism concepts. For instance, when discussing journalistic integrity, I might ask, “What do you think is the most important quality of a trustworthy journalist?” The answers flood in instantly, allowing us to see class-wide trends. This helps us steer our discussions, based on what matters most to the students in real-time.

The word cloud feature is another way I get students thinking creatively. I’ve used it during lessons on visual communication by asking students to submit words that they associate with certain media images. As the word cloud grows on the screen, we get a collective sense of their associations, sparking deeper analysis.

Then there’s the open text option, where students can freely type longer responses. This is especially useful in debates over controversial media coverage or ethics. For example, during discussions about the role of social media in journalism, students submit their thoughts anonymously, making them feel more comfortable expressing opinions they might hesitate to voice in person.

For deeper engagement, SLIDO’s ranking feature comes in handy. I’ve used it to have students rank the most important values of journalism or the relevance of various media platforms in today’s world. It fosters discussion while making the learning interactive.

Other Game-Based Learning Tools

Besides Kahoot!, ClassPoint, and SLIDO, I’m always on the lookout for new tools to keep students engaged. Here are a few others I’ve been exploring:

? Quizizz: Similar to Kahoot!, but with a twist. Students can go at their own pace, which is great for more in-depth questions or assignments that require careful thought. I’ve used Quizizz in my journalism classes when we tackle topics like media regulation and ethics—subjects that require more reflection than speed.

? Gimkit: Created by a high school student, Gimkit turns quizzes into games where students can earn in-game currency by answering correctly. It’s particularly useful when reviewing complex concepts in journalism, like newsroom roles or media law, and students enjoy the gamified earning and competition aspect.

? Minecraft: Education Edition: While more common in subjects like math or science, Minecraft is surprisingly adaptable for media-related subjects. I’m exploring ways to use Minecraft as a collaborative storytelling platform, where students can build virtual newsrooms or create scenarios that represent the challenges of modern journalism, such as fact-checking in the age of fake news.

Why Game-Based Learning Works

Game-based learning isn’t just a way to make class fun, it’s grounded in solid pedagogy. Games give students immediate feedback, show them where they stand, and make abstract concepts more tangible. In journalism, where students need to grasp fast-moving trends like media convergence or the evolving role of social media, games create an interactive environment where learning can happen dynamically.

Moreover, incorporating games into my lessons has boosted participation and collaboration in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Students are more willing to contribute, challenge each other’s ideas, and dive into discussions after a round of competitive learning.

Creating a Playful Learning Environment

As an educator, I believe in meeting students where they are digitally, socially, and intellectually. By integrating games into my modules, I can break down complex subjects, like the role of the journalist in the digital age, in a way that resonates with their world of fast-paced interactions and instant feedback. Whether it’s through a classic Kahoot! quiz, a Family Feud-inspired challenge on ClassPoint, or SLIDO’s versatile interaction tools, the goal is always to engage students in learning that feels relevant, exciting, and, dare I say, fun.

With game-based learning, teaching is no longer just about conveying information; it’s about creating an environment where students can explore, compete, and grow.

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