Using Kahoot! As A Formative Assessment Tool in Science Teacher Education

Abstract

The development of 21st century competencies and skills in science teaching and learning is a key strategic imperative. Game-based learning platforms can be used to promote pedagogic innovation in various educational settings. Game-based applications such as Kahoot! have been increasingly used in education to facilitate meaningful enactment of formative assessment practices. Within the realm of science education, formative assessment is largely perceived as an assessment practice with pedagogic potential to enhance students’ academic performance, motivation and engagement during the teaching and learning process. Kahoot! is an interactive game-based learning platform which can essentially be utilised to enhance students’ academic performance, motivation and engagement in the classroom. This paper explores the role of Kahoot! as a formative assessment tool to enhance students’ academic performance, motivation and engagement with a view to help students to achieve stipulated learning outcomes during remote teaching and learning in undergraduate Physical Sciences teacher education. The research study adopted a generic qualitative design and involved 21 purposively selected preservice Physical Sciences teachers at a South African university. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and the administration of qualitative user-generated online quizzes with the participants. The findings demonstrated that Kahoot! plays a significant role in enhancing students’ academic performance, motivation and active engagement during remote teaching and learning. Theoretical implications for technology-enhanced teaching and learning are discussed.