Edutainment: assessing students’ perceptions of Kahoot! as a review tool in French L2 classes

Abstract

Gamification is a method used to engage and motivate students virtually during the coronavirus pandemic. This paper reports on the use of Kahoot! as a review tool in French as a foreign language (L2) classes at Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Jamaica, as a means of formative assessment. Using the exploratory approach, it seeks to highlight students’ perceptions of this platform to enhance teaching and learning. Twenty-one students of both genders between the ages of 18 and 35 responded to a post questionnaire, after participating in two or more games of Kahoot!. Data was also collected through semi-structured interviews and observations recorded by the instructor. Preliminary findings show that Kahoot! helps most students (95%) to improve their French, in terms of learning and/or reinforcing new vocabulary or previously taught concepts, as well as pronunciation. All the participants highlighted that Kahoot! is fun and interactive, and playing the game serves as a motivation for them to revise their already acquired knowledge. However, the countdown feature can provoke stress and affect the thought process.

Exploring the Use of Live Interactive Worksheets in Foreign Language Classes: Perceptions of Students and Teachers

“…These findings are consistent with studies conducted by Madden (2022b), Sadeghi et al (2023), and Le and Prabjandee (2023), that foreign language instructors have found innovative ways to incorporate new forms of assessments in their classrooms, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Madden's study focused on the integration of Kahoot!…”

“…Additionally, researchers and instructors have incorporated new forms of assessments, such as quizzes via Google Forms and Kahoot! games and interactive worksheets (Le & Prabjandee, 2023;Madden, 2022b;Sadeghi et al, 2023), which could all fall under the broad concept of gamificationthe application of game-like features and operations to non-game contexts to boost learner engagement and participation while interfacing with teaching content for both reinforcement and application of new knowledge.…”