Gimkit

Written By Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

Gimkit was created by Josh Feinsilber, a high school student who wanted to make learning more interactive and engaging. Recognizing a gap in educational tools that could dynamically incorporate student input, he designed Gimkit to allow for real-time learning enhancements, leveraging game mechanics to boost student engagement. His initiative has led to a platform that's both educational and highly interactive, supporting a variety of game modes that cater to different learning styles and objectives.

Differentiation: What Makes Gimkit Special

Gimkit stands out due to its interactive game show format which actively involves students in their learning process. Unique features like the ability for students to earn in-game credits and use them for strategic advantages, such as power-ups, differentiate it from other learning platforms. The inclusion of game modes like "Trust No One" and "Humans vs. Zombies" adds a layer of fun and competition, making learning an enjoyable and memorable experience.

How to Get Started

Getting started with Gimkit is straightforward. Teachers can sign up with an email or a Google account, import their class roster, and immediately start creating or assigning quizzes. The platform allows for easy setup of live class-wide games or individual assignments, making it versatile for different teaching settings.

How It Works

For homeschooling, Gimkit can be a flexible tool. It recommends varying amounts of time based on the type of game and learning objectives, but typically, games are fast-paced and can last from a few minutes to an entire class period. Teachers and parents can choose between fully interactive live games or set assignments that students can complete on their own time, providing a balance between guided learning and independent study.

What Educational Concepts It Teaches

  • Vocabulary and language skills

  • Math problem-solving

  • Historical facts and analysis

  • Science concepts and data interpretation

  • General knowledge through quiz-based games

What’s Good About It

Users appreciate Gimkit for its engaging, fast-paced gameplay that significantly boosts classroom interaction and excitement. The platform's ability to let students contribute questions and help build quizzes encourages deeper involvement in the learning process, enhancing both understanding and retention of the material.

What Could Be Improved

While Gimkit offers a dynamic learning environment, the competitive nature might overshadow the educational objectives for some students, who may focus more on winning than learning. The limited number of students per game in the free version can also be restrictive for larger classes.

Advice from Parents on How to Get the Most Out of It

Parents suggest utilizing Gimkit's variety of game modes to keep learning fresh and engaging. Regularly switching between modes can help maintain student interest and cater to different learning needs. Incorporating Gimkit into a regular learning routine can also help reinforce new concepts and assess student understanding continuously.

Overall Educational Value Score for Gimkit: 62/100

Gimkit receives a positive score of 72 and a negative score of 10, resulting in an Overall Educational Value Score of 62. This score reflects a strong positive reception among users, particularly highlighting its engaging and innovative approach to learning through gamification. The platform effectively merges education with entertainment, promoting active participation among students. However, there are some concerns regarding its potential for overemphasis on competition.

Positive Score

  • Uniqueness (9/10): Gimkit introduces unique game modes like "Trust No One" and interactive gameplay elements that significantly differ from standard educational tools, offering a fresh approach to learning.

  • Engagement (8/10): The platform is highly engaging, with dynamic game styles that keep students interested and motivated throughout the learning process.

  • Accuracy (8/10): Gimkit maintains a high level of accuracy in its educational content, ensuring that the information provided is reliable and up-to-date.

  • User-Friendliness (8/10): It is noted for its ease of use, allowing quick setup and intuitive navigation for users of all ages.

  • Pedagogy (8/10): The platform is effective in its educational approach, aligning with various learning styles and encouraging active participation.

  • Homeschooling Suitability (8/10): Many homeschooling parents find Gimkit to be a valuable tool for at-home education, providing a flexible and engaging way to review and learn new concepts.

  • Learning Focus (8/10): Gimkit focuses on deep learning rather than just test preparation, promoting comprehensive understanding and retention of information.

  • Personalization (8/10): The program offers good customization options to tailor learning experiences to individual student needs.

  • Special Needs Accommodation (7/10): Gimkit is fairly accommodating of special needs students, though there is room for improvement in this area.

  • Value (8/10): The cost of Gimkit is generally perceived as reasonable considering the features and benefits it offers.

Negative Score

  • Boredom (2/10): There is minimal feedback indicating that Gimkit causes boredom; the interactive and diverse game modes help keep learning interesting.

  • Addictive Components (3/10): Some concerns are raised about the potentially addictive nature of the game-like elements, which might distract from educational goals.

  • Violence (0/10): Gimkit does not contain violent content, making it suitable for all age groups.

  • Unhealthy Competition (4/10): While competition is a core part of Gimkit's appeal, some feedback suggests it can occasionally lead to stress or an overly competitive atmosphere.

  • Excessive Prioritization of School Standards (1/10): Gimkit primarily promotes comprehensive learning rather than focusing solely on school standards or test preparation.

Who It’s an Ideal Fit For

Gimkit is ideal for learners who thrive in interactive, game-based environments. It suits students who enjoy competition and are motivated by in-game rewards and achievements. It's particularly effective for groups that benefit from collaborative learning and discussion.

Who It’s Probably Not a Fit For

Students who are easily distracted by competitive elements or who prefer traditional, less gamified learning approaches may find Gimkit overwhelming. It might not be suitable for learners who need a quieter, more structured educational environment.

Grades

Gimkit is versatile and can be used from elementary to high school levels, effectively covering grades K-12.

Cost

Gimkit is free for up to five students per game. The Pro version, offering unlimited access and additional features, costs $9.99 per month or $59.98 annually.

Ways to Get It

Gimkit is available directly through their website, where teachers and parents can sign up and start using the platform immediately. The process involves a simple registration that can integrate with Google accounts for easy setup and management.

Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.

Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.

I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.

I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.


During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.

I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.

In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.

My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.

My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.

I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.

In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

And I love to learn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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