Gimkit Info: A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your First Game

Educators are continually searching for innovative tools that capture students’ attention and reinforce learning. One platform that has gained significant popularity for its unique approach to classroom review is Gimkit. Combining the structure of a quiz with game-show mechanics and strategic elements, Gimkit transforms learning into a memorable and competitive experience. If you are new to this platform, the initial setup can seem like another task on a long to-do list.

This guide is designed to simplify that process. We will provide all the Gimkit info you need to move from sign-up to launch with confidence. You will learn how to create your account, navigate the dashboard, build your first question set (a “Kit”), customize game modes to fit your classroom’s needs, and successfully host your first game. By the end, you’ll be prepared to integrate this powerful tool into your teaching practice.

What is Gimkit and Why Should You Use It?

Gimkit is an interactive learning game platform created by a high school student who wanted to make studying more engaging than traditional review methods. At its core, it’s a quiz game where students answer questions to earn in-game currency. What sets it apart is what students can do with that currency. They can purchase power-ups to help themselves, use them strategically against classmates, and invest in upgrades that earn them more money over time.

The benefits of integrating Gimkit into your classroom are numerous:

• Increased Engagement: The fast-paced, competitive nature of the game keeps students highly engaged. The element of strategy adds a layer of critical thinking beyond simply answering questions correctly.
• Repetition Without Monotony: Students will willingly answer the same questions multiple times to earn more currency, which helps reinforce key concepts and improve knowledge retention.
• Customizable Content: You can create your own question “Kits” tailored specifically to your curriculum or search a vast library of user-created content.
• Data-Driven Insights: After each game, you receive a detailed report showing individual and class-wide performance. This helps you identify topics that may require further instruction.

Step 1: Creating Your Gimkit Account

Your journey begins with setting up a free educator account. This process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes.

1. Navigate to the Gimkit Website: Open your web browser and go to the official Gimkit homepage.
2. Sign Up for Free: Look for the “Sign Up” or “Educators” button. You will be prompted to create an account. You can sign up using an existing Google account or by providing an email address and creating a password. Using a Google account often simplifies the process.
3. Complete Your Profile: You will be asked for basic information, such as your name, the name of your school, and your role. This helps tailor the experience and connect you with other educators from your institution.
4. Choose Your Plan: Gimkit offers a free plan, “Gimkit Basic,” which provides access to all classic game modes and allows you to create an unlimited number of Kits. There is also a paid subscription, “Gimkit Pro,” which unlocks exclusive game modes, assignment features, and the ability to upload images and audio. For your first game, the Basic plan is more than sufficient.

Once you have completed these steps, you will be directed to your educator dashboard.

Step 2: Exploring the Educator Dashboard

The dashboard is your central hub for creating, managing, and launching games. It’s designed to be intuitive, but let’s take a quick tour of its key components.

• Kits: This is where all your question sets live. Think of a Kit as the content for your game. You can create new Kits, edit existing ones, or organize them into folders.
• Assignments: This feature (part of Gimkit Pro) allows you to assign Kits as homework. Students complete them at their own pace, and the system tracks their progress.
• Classes: You can create classes and invite students to join them. This simplifies the process of inviting students to games and tracking their performance over time.
• Search: This powerful tool lets you explore Kits created by other educators. If you are short on time, you can find a pre-made Kit on almost any topic, copy it to your account, and customize it as needed.
• Game Modes: This section showcases all the different ways you can play Gimkit, from the classic “Classic” and “Team” modes to creative options like “Trust No One” and “The Floor is Lava.”

Spend a few minutes clicking around the dashboard to familiarize yourself with the layout before you move on to creating your content.

Step 3: Creating Your First Kit

A Kit is the collection of questions that will fuel your game. Building one is a simple process, whether you’re starting from scratch or importing questions from another source.

1. Start a New Kit: From your dashboard, click the “New Kit” button. You will be prompted to give your Kit a name, select the language, and choose a subject.
2. Choose Your Creation Method: You have several options for adding questions:
3. • Add Question: This is the manual method. You type a question, provide the correct answer, and then add at least one incorrect answer (distractor). You can add up to three distractors.
   • Import from a Spreadsheet: If you have questions in a CSV file or a spreadsheet, you can use the “Import from Spreadsheet” option. This is a fast way to transfer existing content.
   • Use KitCollab: This unique feature allows students to contribute questions to the Kit. You give them a special code, they submit questions, and you approve or deny them before the game begins. This is a great way to involve students in the creation process.
   • Use the Question Bank: Search millions of questions from other public Kits to quickly add them to your own.
3. Add Your Content: For your first game, start by manually adding 10-15 questions. This is a manageable number that will give you a good feel for the process. Make sure your questions are clear and your correct answer is accurately marked. You can also add photos to your questions to make them more visually appealing (a Pro feature).
4. Finish Your Kit: Once you have added all your questions, click “Finish Kit.” Your new Kit will now appear in the “Kits” section of your dashboard, ready to be used in a game.

Step 4: Customizing Game Settings and Choosing a Mode

With your Kit ready, it’s time to host your first game. This is where you select the game mode and fine-tune the settings to match your learning objectives and time constraints.

1. Select Your Kit and Click “Play Live”: Find the Kit you just created on your dashboard and click the “Play Live” button. This will take you to the game mode selection screen.
2. Choose a Game Mode: For your first game, “Classic” mode is the perfect choice. It’s the original Gimkit experience where every student plays for themselves. As you become more comfortable, you can explore “Team Mode,” where students pool their money to reach a collective goal.
3. Customize the Game Options: You will be presented with a list of options to tailor the game. Key settings include:
4. • Game Goal: You can set the game to end after a certain amount of time (“Time”) or once a player reaches a specific cash goal (“Race”). A 10-15 minute time limit is a good starting point.
   • Starting Cash: Give students a small amount of money to begin with so they can start making purchases right away.
   • Handicap: This setting gives players who are falling behind a boost, making the game more equitable.
   • Shop Options: You can toggle specific power-ups on or off. For your first game, it’s best to leave them all enabled to give students the full experience.
4. Generate the Game Code: After confirming your settings, click “Continue.” Gimkit will generate a unique game code.

Step 5: Inviting Participants and Starting the Game

Now it’s time to get your students into the game.

1. Share the Game Code: Display the game code prominently on your screen. Instruct students to go to gimkit.com/join on their devices (laptops, tablets, or phones) and enter the code.
2. Students Join the Game: Students will be prompted to enter their name. Once they join, their name will appear in the “lobby” on your screen. You can see how many players have joined in real-time.
3. Start the Game: Once all your students are in the lobby, click the “Start Game” button. The game will begin for everyone simultaneously.

As the game progresses, your screen will show a live leaderboard, keeping the energy and competition high. You can watch as students answer questions, earn money, and use their power-ups.

Tips for Maximizing Engagement

• Explain the Strategy: Before starting, briefly explain that Gimkit is not just about answering questions correctly. Encourage students to explore the shop and think strategically about how they spend their money.
• Narrate the Game: Act like a sports commentator. Call out when students reach milestones, make big purchases, or use power-ups on each other. This adds to the fun and excitement.
• Review the Post-Game Report: After the game ends, take a few minutes to go over the report with your class. Highlight the questions that were most frequently missed and use it as a teaching moment.
• Experiment with Modes: Once you are comfortable with Classic mode, try others. Team mode fosters collaboration, while modes like “Trust No One” introduce social deduction elements that students love.

By following these steps, you can confidently set up and run your first Gimkit game. You’ll quickly see how this dynamic tool can transform your review sessions from a passive activity into an exciting and effective learning experience.

Please visit the official site for more info.