Stop Manual Tasks: A Teacher’s Guide to Automating Gimkit with Zapier

Hey teachers! Let’s be real. You’re juggling a million things, right? Grading papers, planning lessons, keeping students engaged – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Are you sometimes left feeling like you’re drowning in a sea of tasks, wishing for a magic wand to make some of the repetitive stuff just disappear?

What if I told you that magic wand might actually exist? Okay, not a real wand, but something pretty darn close in the digital world: workflow automation! And when it comes to making your EdTech tools work for you, instead of adding to your to-do list, tools like Zapier are total game-changers.

Think about it: You love using Gimkit to make learning fun and engaging. But setting up games, assigning them to classes, sharing links… it all takes clicks, time, and mental energy. What if you could automate Gimkit workflows so some of that busy work just… happened? For those just getting started with the platform and want to understand the basics, you might find our guide on how to play Gimkit yourself helpful.

That’s where Zapier steps in. Consider Zapier your new digital teaching assistant. It’s like a super-smart connector that helps your online tools talk to each other and automate tasks for you. You’ll manage your classes and kits within the Gimkit Dashboard Guide, and Zapier will help streamline the processes around them.

In this blog post, we’re going to show you exactly how to use Zapier to automate Gimkit workflows. We’ll focus on a seriously time-saving example: Gimkit auto-assign games with Zapier. Ready to ditch some of those manual tasks and reclaim your precious teaching time? Let’s jump in and explore the world of Gimkit automation!

What is Zapier & Why Should Teachers Care About Automation?

So, what exactly is this “Zapier” thing, and why should busy teachers even bother learning about automation? Let’s break it down in a super teacher-friendly way.

Zapier Explained: Connect Your Apps, Automate Your Tasks (Teacher-Friendly Definition)

Imagine Zapier as a super helpful bridge. This bridge doesn’t connect roads, but it connects all sorts of apps you use online. Think of your email, your calendar, your Google Classroom (we’ll get to Zapier Gimkit Google Classroom integration later!), and yes, even Gimkit.

Zapier lets you create automated workflows, which they call “Zaps.” Think of a Zap as a set of instructions: “If this happens in one app, then automatically do that in another app.” It’s basically like setting up a chain reaction for your digital tools.

For example, imagine you want to automatically get a notification whenever a student submits work in Google Classroom. With Zapier, you can create a Zap that says: ” If a student submits an assignment in Google Classroom (This – Trigger), then send me an email notification (That – Action).”

Zapier can connect Gimkit to Zapier, and thousands of other apps, making countless app integrations possible. It’s a powerful tool, but the core idea is really simple: make your apps work together automatically so you don’t have to do all the manual steps.

The Teacher’s Time Crunch: Why Automation is Essential

Let’s be honest, teaching is amazing, but it’s also a lot. You’re not just teaching – you’re also managing a classroom, communicating with parents, tracking progress, and constantly finding new ways to keep learning exciting. Teacher productivity is constantly stretched!

In today’s world, we use so many digital tools in the classroom. EdTech is fantastic, but all those different platforms and logins and manual setups can actually add to your workload if you’re not careful. That’s why EdTech automation is becoming so essential.

Think about all the time you spend on tasks that, while necessary, aren’t really using your amazing teaching skills to their fullest. Things like:

• Manually assigning Gimkit games to each class, one by one. If you’re not yet a Gimkit user, the idea of saving time through automation might be a great reason to sign up for a Gimkit account.
• Copying and pasting game links into multiple platforms.
• Manually tracking student game completion.
• Replying to the same types of student or parent questions over and over.

Classroom management automation, even in small doses, can be a lifesaver. By automating repetitive tasks, you save time teaching and free yourself up to focus on what truly matters: your students. Automation isn’t about replacing teachers – it’s about empowering you to be even more effective. You can even explore how to further enhance classroom participation with Gimkit rewards alongside your automated workflows.

Benefits of Automating Gimkit Workflows with Zapier:

Okay, so we know automation is good in general, but what are the specific perks of using Zapier for teachers’ Gimkit tasks? Here are some awesome benefits:

• Gimkit auto-assigns games Zapier: This is the big one! Automatically schedule and assign Gimkit games to your classes. No more manual setup for each class, each time. Think of the efficiency!
• Reduce manual steps in setting up games: Less clicking, less copying, less pasting. Zapier takes care of the behind-the-scenes work.
• Potentially integrate Gimkit with other classroom platforms: While direct Zapier Gimkit Google Classroom integration for auto-assignment might depend on API capabilities (we’ll explore this!), Zapier can still help connect Gimkit to other tools you use. For instance, you might automate posting game links or results in communication platforms.
• Improve organization and consistency in game delivery: Ensure games are assigned on time, every time, to the right classes, without you having to remember every single step.
• Focus on teaching, not just tech administration: Spend less time on tech tasks and more time on what you love – interacting with your students, creating engaging lessons, and providing personalized support.

In short, Gimkit workflow automation with Zapier is all about making your teaching life easier, more efficient, and more focused on what truly matters – the learning! If you’re still discovering all that Gimkit has to offer, be sure to check out what are the main features of Gimkit? to see how automation can further enhance your use of the platform.

Step-by-Step Guide: Auto-Assigning Gimkit Games with Zapier

Ready to see how this magic actually works? Let’s walk through a step-by-step guide to automate Gimkit using Zapier, focusing on our star example: how to auto-assign Gimkit games with Zapier.

Prerequisites: What You’ll Need to Get Started

Before we jump into building our first Zapier workflow for Gimkit classroom management, let’s make sure you have a few things ready:

1. A Gimkit Teacher Account: You’ll need your regular Gimkit teacher account, with your Kits and Classes set up as you normally would.
2. A Zapier Account: Sign up for a Zapier account at [https://zapier.com/]. Zapier offers a free plan to get started, which might be enough for basic Gimkit automation. We’ll talk about Zapier pricing and plans a bit later.
3. Basic Familiarity (Helpful): While we’ll guide you through it, a little bit of experience with both Gimkit and the Zapier interface will be helpful. But don’t worry, we’ll keep it super clear!

That’s it! Let’s get started setting up your first Zap!

Setting Up Your First Zap: “Auto-Assign Gimkit Game”

We’re going to create a Zap that, in theory, could automatically assign a Gimkit game to your classes. Important Note: Direct, fully automated auto-assignment might depend on Gimkit’s current API (API – Application Programming Interface – think of it as a technical way for apps to talk to each other). If direct auto-assignment via the API isn’t fully available yet, we’ll focus on automating the most valuable parts of the workflow, such as scheduling reminders or posting game links. We’ll adapt our example to be realistic and highly useful for teachers.

Here are the steps to set up your Zap (we’ll assume a scenario where you want to assign a Gimkit game every Monday morning to your classes):

Create a New Zap:

• Log in to your Zapier account.
• Click the “Create Zap” button (often big and prominent on the Zapier dashboard).

Choose a Trigger App:

• A Trigger is what starts your Zap. Since we want this to happen automatically every Monday, we can use Zapier’s “Schedule by Zapier” trigger.
• Search for “Schedule by Zapier” in the “Choose App & Event” box and select it.
• Choose “Trigger Event” as “Every Week” and click “Continue.”

Set Up Trigger Details:

• Now, you need to tell Zapier when every week you want this to trigger.
• Set the “Day of the week” to “Monday.”
• Set the “Time of day” to your desired assignment time (e.g., 8:00 AM).
• Click “Continue.”
• Zapier will offer a “Test trigger” step – you can skip this for now since a schedule trigger is straightforward.

Choose Action App:

• Now, you need to tell Zapier what Action to take when the schedule trigger happens. This is where we connect to Gimkit!
• Search for “Gimkit” in the “Choose App & Event” box.

Action Event: Here, we need to see what Gimkit actions are available in Zapier. Ideally, we’d see something like “Create Assignment” or “Assign Game.” (Check Zapier’s Gimkit integration for available actions. If a direct “Assign Game” action isn’t there, we’ll adapt to the closest and most useful action. Possible alternatives include “Create Kit,” “Get Kit Details,” or we might focus on automating a different part of the Gimkit workflow, like posting a game link to Google Classroom if direct assignment isn’t yet available via Zapier). For this example, let’s assume there’s an action called “Create Assignment” (or similar) for illustration. Select this action and click “Continue.”

Connect Your Gimkit Account:

• If you haven’t connected your Gimkit account to Zapier before, you’ll be prompted to connect.
• Click “Sign in to Gimkit.” 
• Follow the prompts to log into your Gimkit teacher account and authorize Zapier to access it. This often involves an API key or a standard authorization process.

Set Up Gimkit Action – Configure Your Assignment:

This is where you tell Zapier what Gimkit game to assign and to whom.

• Choose Kit: You might see a dropdown menu to select which Gimkit Kit you want to assign. Select the Kit you want to use for your weekly Monday game.
• Choose Class(es): You might be able to select which of your Gimkit classes to assign the game to. Select the class or classes you teach on Mondays.
• Set Due Date/Time (If Applicable): If the “Create Assignment” action allows, set a due date and time for the game.
• (Adapt based on actual Zapier Gimkit Actions): The exact options here will depend on what actions Gimkit makes available in Zapier. You might have options to customize game modes, settings, etc. Configure these as desired.

Optional: Add a Notification Step (e.g., Google Classroom):

• For even more automation, you could add another action step after the Gimkit assignment is created.
• For example, you could choose “Google Classroom” as the app and “Create Post” as the action.

You could then configure this action to automatically post a message in your Google Classroom stream letting students know their Gimkit game is assigned, with a direct link to join (if available from the Gimkit Zapier action outputs).

(Note on Google Classroom Integration Realism): Direct Zapier Gimkit Google Classroom integration for posting to Google Classroom is more likely to be feasible than direct auto-assignment, depending on API capabilities. Even automating the posting of the game link to Google Classroom would save teachers a step!

Test Your Zap!

Crucially important! Click the “Test Step” button in Zapier to test your entire Zap.

see if a test assignment was created correctly. Check your Google Classroom (if you added that step) to see if a test post appeared.

If the test is successful, congratulations! You’ve automated your Gimkit game assignmentZapier will run a test. Check your Gimkit account too!

If the test fails, Zapier will give you error messages to help you troubleshoot. Double-check your connections and settings.

Name and Turn On Your Zap:

Give your Zap a descriptive name like “Auto-Assign Monday Gimkit Game.”

Toggle the “Off” switch at the top right of the Zap editor to “On” to activate your Zap.

Beyond Auto-Assign: Other Potential Gimkit Automation Ideas

Auto-assigning games is just the tip of the iceberg! Once you get the hang of Gimkit workflow automation with Zapier, you’ll start seeing automation possibilities everywhere!

Idea Brainstorm: Other Gimkit Workflows to Automate

Here are a few more ideas to spark your imagination – some are more technically advanced, but all are about saving time with Gimkit automation Zapier:

• Automatically Post Gimkit Game Links to Google Classroom/LMS: Even if direct auto-assignment isn’t fully API-driven, you could automate posting the game link. When you manually create a Gimkit game, Zapier could automatically grab the join link and post it as an announcement in Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, or your preferred Learning Management System (LMS).
• Trigger Gimkit Game Assignment Based on Another App Event (More Advanced): For the super tech-savvy teachers: Could you trigger a Gimkit game assignment based on student progress in another app? For example, if students complete a certain lesson in a reading app, then Zapier could automatically assign a Gimkit vocab review game. This is more complex and depends on the APIs of both apps, but opens up exciting personalized learning possibilities!
• Collect Gimkit Report Data Automatically: Could you automatically have Gimkit game report data (scores, completion rates, etc.) sent to a spreadsheet (like Google Sheets) for easy tracking and analysis? This could streamline your data collection and reporting workflows.

These are just a few initial thoughts. As you get more familiar with Zapier and explore the available triggers and actions for Gimkit and your other EdTech tools, you’ll discover even more creative ways to automate your teaching tasks!

Prioritize Time-Saving & High-Impact Automation

Automation can be addictive (in a good way!). But when you’re getting started, don’t try to automate everything at once. Focus on efficiency and prioritize the automation that will give you the biggest teacher productivity boost right away.

Start simple. That Gimkit auto-assign example is a great starting point because it directly tackles a repetitive, time-consuming task. Once you have one or two Zaps working smoothly, you can gradually explore more complex Gimkit workflow automation ideas.

Think about your week. What are the tasks that you dread? What takes up too much time? Those are the tasks ripe for automation!

Troubleshooting & Best Practices for Zapier Gimkit Automation

Like with any new tech tool, you might run into a few bumps along the road as you explore Zapier for teachers and Gimkit automation. Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot and make the most of your automation journey:

Common Zapier Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

• Incorrect App Connections: Double-check that you’ve correctly connected your Gimkit and other app accounts to Zapier. Authorization issues are a common snag. Re-authenticate your connections if needed.
• Misconfigured Triggers/Actions: Carefully review the trigger and action setup for each Zap step. Are you choosing the right triggers and actions? Are you filling in all the required fields correctly? Read the Zapier prompts carefully.
• Data Mapping Errors: When you set up actions, Zapier often asks you to “map” data from the trigger step to the action step. This means telling Zapier which piece of information from the trigger should go into which field in the action. Mapping errors can cause Zaps to fail. Double-check your data mapping.
• Not Testing Thoroughly: Always, always, always test your Zaps thoroughly before relying on them for live classroom workflows! Use the “Test Step” buttons in Zapier to verify each step and the entire Zap.

If your Zaps aren’t working as expected, Zapier provides helpful Zapier logs that can show you where errors are occurring. Check these logs to get clues for troubleshooting.

Zapier Pricing & Free Plan Considerations for Teachers

Let’s talk about cost. Zapier for teachers does come with Zapier pricing plans. The good news is, that Zapier does offer a free plan that might be enough to get you started with basic Gimkit automation.

Zapier’s free plan typically includes:

• With a limited number of “Zaps” (automated workflows), you can be active.
• A limited number of “Tasks” per month (a “Task” is counted each time a Zap successfully completes an automation).
• Access to “Standard” Zaps (connecting many popular apps).

For more extensive Gimkit workflow automation, especially if you want to create many Zaps or have high usage, you might need to consider a paid Zapier plan. They offer different tiers with increasing numbers of Zaps and Tasks and access to “Premium” apps and features.

Is Zapier Free for Teachers? Not exactly a special “teacher discount” per se, but the free plan is available to everyone, including educators. Assess your automation needs. Start with the free plan, and see if it meets your needs. You can always upgrade later if you find you need more power!

Start Small & Iterate: Your Automation Journey

The key to successful Gimkit automation (and any EdTech automation, really) is to start small and iterate. Don’t feel like you need to automate your entire teaching life overnight!

Begin with one simple, high-value Zap, like our Gimkit auto-assign games Zapier example. Get that working smoothly. Then, think about one more workflow you could automate. Test, refine, and gradually build your automation skills.

Automation is a journey, not a destination. As you become more comfortable with Zapier and see the teacher productivity gains firsthand, you’ll naturally discover more and more ways to streamline your teaching workflows and save time teaching!

Wrapping It Up

Using Zapier to automate Gimkit workflows is a smart move for any teacher looking to boost their efficiency and reclaim precious time. From Gimkit auto-assign games Zapier to automating notifications or data collection, the possibilities are vast.

By embracing EdTech automation with tools like Zapier, you’re not just saving clicks – you’re saving mental energy, reducing stress, and ultimately freeing yourself to focus on what you do best: teaching and connecting with your students.

Ready to connect Gimkit to Zapier and unlock the power of automation in your classroom? Stop manual tasks and start exploring the world of Gimkit workflow automation today!

Time to get automated!

• Go Explore Zapier and Sign Up for a Free Account: [https://zapier.com/]
• Revisit Gimkit and Get Ready to Automate Your Games: [https://www.gimkit.com/]

We’d love to hear about your Zapier workflows for Gimkit classroom management! Share your automation ideas and successes in the comments below. Let’s build a community of tech-savvy, super-efficient teachers!