How to Make Gimkit Games: A Step-by-Step Guide for Teachers
11 mins read

How to Make Gimkit Games: A Step-by-Step Guide for Teachers

If you are a teacher looking to spice up your classroom, you need to learn how to make Gimkit games. Gimkit is a live learning map where students answer questions to earn virtual money. Unlike a boring quiz, this platform feels like a real video game. Students can buy power-ups, sabotages, and themes to make the game more exciting. It was actually created by a high school student, which is why it feels so “cool” to kids.

When you make Gimkit kits, you aren’t just giving a test; you are creating an experience. It helps students stay focused because they want to win. They can work in teams or play alone. The best part is that it provides great data for teachers. You can see exactly which questions were hard for the class. This makes it a powerful tool for any subject, from math to history.

The Creator Behind the Magic: Josh Feinsilber

Before we dive into the steps, let’s look at the person who started it all. Knowing the background helps us trust the tool more.

DetailInformation
Creator NameJosh Feinsilber
Original GoalHigh School Project
Platform Launch2017
Key FeaturesVirtual Economy and Power-ups
Main MissionMaking learning more engaging for students
Current StatusOne of the top classroom games globally

Step 1: Create Your Teacher Account

The first thing you need to do is sign up. Go to the official website and click on the sign-up button. You can use your school email or a Google account to make it fast. Once you are in, you will see a clean dashboard. This is your home base where you will make Gimkit content for your students.

Choose the “Educator” account type to get the right tools. There is a free version called Gimkit Basic, and a paid version called Gimkit Pro. The free version is great to start with. It allows you to make Gimkit kits and play several game modes. As you get more comfortable, you might want the Pro version for extra features.

Step 2: Starting Your First Kit

To make Gimkit games, you start by creating a “Kit.” Think of a Kit as a deck of flashcards or a question bank. Click the “New Kit” button on your dashboard. You will need to give your Kit a name. Choose something catchy that matches your lesson plan. You can also pick a cover photo to make it look professional.

When you make Gimkit kits, you can choose a language and a subject. This helps keep your dashboard organized. Once you click “Create,” you are ready to add your questions. This is the heart of the game, so try to make the questions clear and fun. Don’t worry; you can always edit them later if you find a typo.

Step 3: Adding Questions Manually

The most direct way to make Gimkit content is to type questions yourself. Click on “Add Question” to begin. You can type multiple-choice questions or text-input questions. Multiple-choice is usually better for fast-paced games. You can even add images or audio clips to your questions to help visual or auditory learners.

When you make Gimkit questions, remember to keep them short. Students like to answer quickly to earn money in the game. If the question is too long, it might slow down the fun. Aim for a mix of easy and hard questions. This ensures that every student feels like they have a chance to succeed and earn some virtual cash.

Step 4: Using “KitCollab” for Class Participation

One of the coolest ways to make Gimkit kits is to let your students help. This feature is called KitCollab. When you turn this on, students can submit their own questions from their devices. You get to review them before they go live. This saves you time and makes the students feel like they are part of the process.

Using KitCollab to make Gimkit games is a great way to see what your students think is important. It encourages them to think critically about the material. They love seeing their own questions pop up on the screen during the game. It creates a sense of ownership and pride in the classroom, which is a big win for any teacher.

Step 5: Importing from Quizlet or Spreadsheets

If you already have a lot of material elsewhere, you don’t have to start from scratch. You can make Gimkit kits by importing questions from Quizlet. Just copy the URL of your Quizlet set and paste it into Gimkit. In seconds, all your cards are turned into a game. This is a huge time-saver for busy teachers.

You can also use a CSV file if you have questions in a spreadsheet. This is perfect if you want to make Gimkit sets using data you’ve collected over the years. The platform is very flexible. It understands that teachers are busy, so it provides many shortcuts to get your game ready in just a few clicks.

Step 6: Using AI to Generate Questions

Technology has made it even easier to make Gimkit content. You can now use AI tools to generate questions for you. Simply type in a topic or paste a paragraph of text, and the system will create a list of questions. This is a game-changer for lesson planning. It allows you to make Gimkit kits in under a minute.

Even when using AI, always double-check the questions. Sometimes the AI might miss a detail or make a mistake. When you make Gimkit kits this way, you are the editor. You ensure that the level of difficulty is just right for your 5th graders or high schoolers. It’s a smart way to work more efficiently.

Step 7: Choosing the Right Game Mode

After you make Gimkit questions, you have to pick how to play. Gimkit is famous for its different modes. You can play “Classic,” which is every student for themselves. Or you can try “Trust No One,” which is inspired by the game Among Us. Choosing the right mode is just as important as the questions.

When you make Gimkit sessions, think about the energy in the room. If it’s a Friday afternoon, a high-energy mode like “Snowball Fight” might be best. If you want a calm review, “Humans vs. Zombies” is a great team-building choice. Each mode uses the same questions you created, so you can play the same Kit in many different ways.

Step 8: Customizing Game Settings

Before you hit start, you can change the settings of your game. You can set a time limit or a goal for how much money students should earn. You can also turn off certain power-ups if you think they are too distracting. When you make Gimkit games, you are the boss of the rules.

You can also decide if students can see the correct answer after they miss a question. This is very helpful for learning. When you make Gimkit a part of your routine, you can adjust these settings based on how well the class knows the material. For a new topic, give them more help. For a final review, make it a bit tougher!

Step 9: Sharing the Game with Your Students

Now that you know how to make Gimkit kits, it is time to play. Click the “Play” button, and a code will appear on your screen. Students go to the Gimkit website on their devices and enter the code. They can pick a nickname and join the lobby. Once everyone is in, you can start the music and the fun!

Watching the students interact while you make Gimkit a live event is the best part. You will see them cheering, strategizing, and—most importantly—learning. You can keep the game running on your main screen so everyone can see the leaderboard. It creates a friendly competition that keeps everyone engaged until the very last second.

Step 10: Reviewing the Results and Data

Once the game ends, your job isn’t quite done. One of the best reasons to make Gimkit kits is the data report. You can see a detailed breakdown of how the class performed. It shows you which questions were the hardest. This tells you exactly what you need to teach again the next day.

You can even see individual student reports. When you make Gimkit a regular part of your grading or review process, you get a clear picture of student progress. You can share these reports with parents or use them to help students who are struggling. It turns a fun game into a serious teaching tool that saves you hours of manual grading.

Conclusion: Start Creating Today!

Learning how to make Gimkit games is one of the best things you can do for your classroom. It turns “boring” study sessions into an exciting adventure that students actually look forward to. By following these steps, you can create a kit in minutes and see instant results in student engagement.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different modes and question types. The more you make Gimkit kits, the better you will get at it. Your students will thank you for making learning so much fun. So, grab your laptop, log in, and start building your first Kit right now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it free to make Gimkit games?

Yes! You can make Gimkit kits for free using the Basic version. It includes all the essential features you need to start playing with your class today.

2. How many questions should I put in a Kit?

When you make Gimkit sets, it is best to have at least 20 to 30 questions. This prevents students from seeing the same questions too many times during a long game.

3. Can students play Gimkit at home?

Yes! You can make Gimkit assignments. This allows students to play the game at their own pace for homework or extra practice outside of school hours.

4. Can I use images in my questions?

Absolutely. When you make Gimkit kits, you can upload images to make the questions easier to understand or to add a visual challenge for the students.

5. What is the best game mode for beginners?

The “Classic” mode is the best way to start when you make Gimkit games. It is simple to understand and helps students get used to the shop and power-up system.

6. Can I share my Kits with other teachers?

Yes, you can! Once you make Gimkit kits, you can share the link with your colleagues. You can also search for Kits made by other teachers to save time.

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