How Gimkit Host a Live Game Works? Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Gimkit is an interactive learning platform that makes studying fun! It lets educators create quizzes (kits) that students answer to earn virtual money. This money is used to buy power-ups and bonuses, making the learning process game-like. Hosting a live game as a Gimkit host is easy and exciting, and this guide will walk you through each step.

Teachers can track student performance with detailed reports. Whether you’re a teacher or a student, you’ll be ready to host or join a live game in no time! Let’s get started!

What is Gimkit?

Gimkit is an interactive quiz-based learning platform that turns studying into a fun and engaging experience. It allows educators to create or use pre-made “kits” (quizzes) on any topic, while students answer questions to earn virtual money. 

This money can be used to buy power-ups like bonuses and streak rewards, adding a game-like element to learning. Teachers also get detailed reports on student performance, making it a great tool for assessments. 

With features like live games, assignments, and collaborative kits, Gimkit helps make learning enjoyable and effective for all.

Key Features of Gimkit

Gimkit offers a range of features that make learning interactive and fun for students. Here are the key highlights:

• Interactive Gameplay: Students earn virtual money by answering questions correctly and use it to buy power-ups, making quizzes exciting.
• Live Games and Assignments: Host live games in class or assign kits for homework to suit your teaching needs.
• KitCollab: Create collaborative quizzes where students submit questions, encouraging teamwork and creativity.
• Detailed Reports: Teachers get in-depth reports on class and individual performance to track progress and identify areas needing improvement.
• Customizable Options: Choose game modes, set goals, and personalize settings for each session.
• Accessibility: Students can join games without creating accounts, making it easy to get started.
• Pro Features: Advanced options like audio questions, image uploads, and unlimited edits are available with a Pro subscription.

Requirements to Gimkit Log In

To get started with Gimkit, here’s what you need to know:

• No account needed to play: Students can join a game without creating an account. Simply enter the game code provided by the host.
• Account required for hosting: If you want to run a game or create a kit, you need to sign up.
• Sign up options: You can sign up using your Google account or email address.

For Students:

• Date of birth: When logging in, students will need to provide their date of birth to create an account.

For Educators:

• Details needed: Educators must provide their country, area code, and school name when logging in.

How to Gimkit Sign Up: Quick Steps

Before you can host a game on Gimkit, you’ll need to first create your account. Don’t worry. It’s a simple process! Follow these quick steps to get started and unlock all the features Gimkit offers for fun and engaging learning experiences.

• Go to the Website: Visit gimkit.com.
• Click “Sign Up”: Find the “Sign Up for free” button in the homepage.
• Enter Your Information: Provide your email address and click on Continue. Or sign up using your Google account for quicker access.

• Complete the Setup; Educators: Add details like your school, subjects, or interests. Students: Enter your date of birth and follow any prompts for guardian consent (if required).
• Pick Your Plan: Choose between the Basic (Free) plan or upgrade to Pro if needed.
• Start Using Gimkit: Log in and begin exploring Kits, creating quizzes, or joining games!

A Beginner’s Guide to Hosting a Live Gimkit Game

Gimkit is an exciting and interactive way to make learning fun. If you’re new to Gimkit, this guide will help you host your very first live game step by step. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Pick Your Kit

The first thing you need is a Kit. Kits are the quizzes or question sets that your game will be based on. You can:

• Create your own Kit.
• Use a public Kit available on Gimkit.

To select a Kit:

1. Log in to your Gimkit account.
2. Once logged in, click on “New Kit” to start creating your game kit.
3. Name the kit and choose the language and subject.
4. Click on options like “Add Question,” “Create with Flashcard,” “Continue with KitCollab,” “Add from Question Bank,” or “Import from Spreadsheet” to add content to your kit.
5. Select the type of question (Multiple Choice or Text Input).
6. Add answers and mark the correct one with a green checkmark.
7. If using multiple choice, mark incorrect answers with a red X.
8. When done, click “Finish Kit”.
9. Click the green “Play Live” button next to the Kit.

If you’re inside the Kit, you can also find the “Play Live” option in the right-hand menu.

Step 2: Choose a Game Mode

After selecting a Kit, you’ll see the Mode Picker. This is where you decide how your game will be played. Gimkit offers many fun modes, like:

• Classic Mode: Traditional gameplay where students compete to earn money by answering correctly.
• Team Mode: Students work in teams for collaborative gameplay.

Browse the modes, and if you’re unsure about one, click “Learn More” for details. Once you’ve chosen, click “Continue” to proceed.

Step 3: Set Up Game Options

Now it’s time to customize your game. You’ll see various settings depending on the mode you’ve picked. Here’s what you can adjust:

• Game Goals: Choose whether the game ends based on time, a cash target, or all students completing the quiz.
• Join Late: Enable or disable whether students can join after the game has started.
• Nickname Generator: Use this to ensure students use appropriate names.
• Shop Options: Decide if power-ups, themes, and clean power-ups are allowed.

Once you’ve adjusted the settings, click “Continue” to move on.

Step 4: Share the Gimkit Host Code

Now you’re ready to let your students join! A game code will appear on the screen.

• Students can join by visiting gimkit.com/join and entering the code.
• You can also share a join link by clicking the game code to copy it.
• For a QR code, hover over the game code to display it. Students can scan the QR code to join instantly.

If you’ve enabled Classes, students in your class can join without needing the code.

Step 5: Start the Game

When all students have joined, click the “Start Game” button.

• In non-2D modes, the screen will display a leaderboard showing scores.
• In 2D modes, the screen will show a map, and you can even choose to join as a player or spectator using the toggle in the corner.

Step 6: Manage the Game

Once the game starts, you’ll see controls in the top-right corner. These controls let you:

• Adjust music and sound effects.
• View the leaderboard or player information.
• End the game early if needed.

Step 7: End the Game

The game will end automatically when the goal is reached (time, cash target, etc.). If you need to stop it earlier, just click the “End Game” button. After the game, you’ll receive a report showing how students performed. Use this to review progress and identify areas for improvement.

How Students Join the Gimkit Game?

Joining a Gimkit game is simple and quick. Follow these steps.

1. Go to gimkit.com/play: Open a browser and visit the game link.
2. Enter the Game Code: Type in the game code shared by the teacher/host.
3. Enter Your Name: Students will be prompted to type their name.
4. Wait for the Game to Start: Once all students join, the host will start the game. Students will see a “Get ready…” message while waiting.
5. Answer the Questions: Choose the correct answers to earn money. Incorrect answers will result in losing money.
6. Shop for Upgrades: While waiting for the next question, students can visit the shop to purchase upgrades, power-ups, and themes.
7. Game Results: At the end of the game, students will see their rank, final balance, and the number of questions they answered correctly.

Benefits of Hosting a Gimkit Game

Hosting a Gimkit game can bring a lot of excitement and learning to your classroom. Here are some key benefits:

1. Engaging Learning Experience: Gimkit turns studying into a fun, interactive game. Students stay motivated as they answer questions and earn virtual money, which they can use to buy power-ups. This competitive edge makes learning more engaging.
2. Instant Feedback: Students receive immediate feedback on their answers, helping them learn from mistakes right away. This instant response helps reinforce correct information and allows teachers to identify areas that need more attention.
3. Versatility: Whether you’re reviewing vocabulary, geography, or even complex subject matter, Gimkit can be adapted to fit any lesson. You can create quizzes that match your class’s needs and make learning diverse and fun.
4. Easy for Teachers to Set Up: Hosting a game is quick and easy. Once you’ve created your kit, you can select the game mode, set options, and start the game with just a few clicks.
5. Real-Time Data: Gimkit provides real-time data reports, allowing you to track student progress and participation during the game. This data can help in making informed decisions on what to teach next.
6. Collaboration and Teamwork: With modes like Team Mode, students can collaborate and work together towards a common goal, fostering teamwork and communication.
7. Flexible for Any Class Size: Whether you have a small class or up to 500 students, Gimkit can handle it. You can host live games for any size group and keep the fun going for everyone involved.

Overcoming Obstacles: Solutions for Gimkit Hosts

While hosting a game on Gimkit, you might encounter some challenges. Here’s a guide to help you overcome these hurdles and keep the game running smoothly:

1. Problem: Students Not Joining the Game

• Double-check the game code: Ensure the code is correct and shared clearly.
• Use the Join Link: Share the link directly with students for easier access. They don’t need to enter the code manually.
• QR Code: Encourage students to scan the QR code on the host screen to join faster.

2. Problem: Students with Inappropriate Names

Use the Nickname Generator: Enable the Nickname Generator feature to assign randomized names to students, preventing inappropriate names.

Monitor the Lobby: Keep an eye on the Lobby to check names before starting the game and kick out any students with unsuitable names.

3. Problem: Game Freezes or Lags

Check Internet Connection: Ensure both you and the students have stable internet connections.

Restart the Game: If the game experiences heavy lag, try refreshing the page or restarting the session.

Switch to Simpler Game Modes: If you’re experiencing technical issues, switching to a less graphically intensive mode can improve performance.

4. Problem: Difficulty Creating a Kit

Start Simple: Don’t overcomplicate the kit by adding too many features or questions at once.

Use Question Bank: If you’re stuck on creating questions, you can pull from Gimkit’s Question Bank for inspiration.

Take Advantage of Templates: Try using templates or pre-made kits if you’re unsure how to start.

5. Problem: Students Joining Late:

Allow Late Join: Ensure that the “Players Can Join Late” setting is turned on to give students more flexibility.

Pause the Game: If only a few students join late, consider pausing the game momentarily to allow them to catch up.

6. Problem: Unclear Instructions for Students

Provide Clear Guidelines: Before starting the game, explain the rules clearly to the students so they know what to expect.

Use the Demo Mode: If this is their first time using Gimkit, consider running a demo round so students can practice.

7. Problem: Game Ending Too Soon or Late

Adjust the Game Goal: Be mindful of the game goal settings. Choose options like “Time” or “Race” depending on how long you want the game to last.

Set Time Limits: If necessary, adjust the time limits or game conditions to ensure the game runs as planned.

Tips for a Smooth and Fun Gimkit Hosting Experience

To make your Gimkit game a hit, here are some tricks to help you host with ease and ensure everyone enjoys the game:

1. Plan Ahead with Your Kit: Create your Kit in advance. Make sure the questions are clear and relevant to the topic you’re teaching. You can customize your questions or import them from other platforms like Quizlet.
2. Choose the Right Game Mode: Pick a mode that suits your class. Whether it’s Classic for quick fun or Team Mode for group collaboration, each mode offers a different experience. Think about what will engage your students most.
3. Set Clear Game Goals: Define your game goals early. Whether you choose Time, Race, or All In, setting a goal keeps the game focused and fun. It helps students understand what they’re working towards.
4. Encourage Friendly Competition: Enable nicknames to add a fun personal touch, but keep an eye on inappropriate names. Students can also join as teams, creating a sense of friendly competition that encourages participation.
5. Control the Pace: Adjust game speed and settings. If the pace is too fast or slow, you can easily tweak it during the game. Don’t forget to set up the limit to ensure everyone gets a fair chance.
6. Use Power-ups Wisely: Utilize power-ups like more points per question or streak bonuses to keep the game exciting. Encourage students to use these wisely for strategic play.
7. Monitor & Engage: Keep an eye on the leaderboard. Watch the students’ progress and celebrate achievements, whether they’re leading or catching up. It boosts morale and encourages continued participation.

Faqs

Can you Gimkit host without login? 

No, you need to log in to host a game on Gimkit.

Can you host a game on Gimkit for free?

Yes, Gimkit offers a free plan for hosting games.

How do you host a live game on Gimkit for free?

Simply log in, select a kit, choose a game mode, and start the game on Gimkit using the free plan.