Gimkit is famous for making review fun. But what if it could do even more? What if it could be a strong tool for building important skills? I mean things like critical thinking. Or problem-solving. And smart decision-making. Can Gimkit help with Gimkit for building specific skills? Yes, it can.
We all know we need to move past simple memorizing. Modern education asks for more. We want students to think deeply. We want them to apply what they learn.
Gimkit can be a bridge. It is a game platform. It is perfect for helping kids think better. It uses fun games. These games help students with tough brainwork. This truly boosts classroom engagement.
This guide will show you how. We will look at how to design your Gimkit activities. We will make them help kids think critically. We will boost Gimkit’s problem-solving activities. We will grow Gimkit’s analytical skills. This will lead to deeper learning. It will be more meaningful for everyone.
Making Learning Better: Why Use Gimkit for Skills?
Let’s dig into why using Gimkit for skills is a good idea. It’s not just about getting answers right. It’s about building brain power.
Connecting to Higher-Order Thinking (Like Bloom’s Taxonomy)
Bloom’s Taxonomy is a guide. It shows different levels of thinking. Many teachers know it.
Going Past “Remember” and “Understand”
Gimkit can do more than just test facts. It can aim for “Apply.” It can target “Analyze.” It can help with “Evaluate.” It can even support “Create.” These are all higher-order thinking skills. You can use Bloom’s Taxonomy with Gimkit to plan your questions.
Deeper Involvement
Hard questions make students think more. This means they care more. They get more involved in the learning. It makes learning stick better. This adds rigor to gamified learning. The benefits of gamified learning are well-documented in educational research.
Real-World Connections
Skills learned in class should help in life. Gimkit can provide that practice.
Problem-Solving for Life
Students can practice solving problems. These skills help them outside the classroom. They use them every day.
Practice Making Choices
Games can make students choose. They pick the best path. They do it under pressure. This builds strong Gimkit decision-making games.
Using Data for Skill Growth
Gimkit gives you information. You can use it to see how students are doing.
Finding Skill Gaps
You can see where students struggle. Are they bad at analysis? Or just remembering? Gimkit data can show this.
Focused Practice
You can make Kits just for weak spots. This helps students practice what they need most.
Making Gimkit Questions for Critical Thinking
Let’s get practical. How do you write questions that make kids think? Here are some ways. This is how you design Gimkit for critical thinking.
Questions Based on Scenarios
These questions put students in a situation. They have to figure it out.
How to Create Them
Give a real-life story. Then ask students to look at it.
Examples
“A scientist watches X happen. What is the best guess based on what they saw?” Or, “A character in the story faces Y. What should they do next?”
Gimkit Questions for Applying Ideas
These questions ask students to use what they learned. They use it in a new way.
How to Create Them
Ask students to take a concept. Then apply it to a fresh problem.
Examples
“If [Math Concept] works for X, how would you solve Y?” Or, “Think about [Historical Event]. What would likely happen now, because of it?” This helps with Gimkit application questions.
Comparing and Contrasting Questions
These questions ask students to find what’s similar or different. Or pick the “best” one.
How to Create Them
Ask students to spot how things are alike. Or how they are different. Or choose the perfect fit.
Examples
“Which of these events happened similarly to [Event A]?” Or, “What is the main difference between [Concept A] and [Concept B]?”
“Why” and “How” Questions (for Gimkit Reasoning Skills)
These questions make students explain their answers. They show their thinking.
Using Text Input or Multiple Choice with Explanation
Students can type their reasons. Or pick an answer and then explain why. This builds strong Gimkit reasoning skills.
Examples
“Why did the author end the story this way?” Or, “How does the rule of energy saving work in this example?”
Dealing with Wrong Ideas Using Smart Wrong Answers
Sometimes, wrong answers can teach you things.
Design Wrong Answers to Show Thinking
The incorrect choices should come from common mistakes. They show if students are thinking wrong. This is a great formative assessment strategy within Gimkit.
Gimkit Problem-Solving Activities & Game Mode Plans
Let’s look at how different game modes can help with skills. This is where Gimkit’s problem-solving activities shine. You can learn more about exploring Gimkit’s game modes to find the perfect fit.
Solving Puzzles with “Text Input” Mode
This mode is great for quick answers. But it’s also good for puzzles.
Escape Room Mini-Puzzles
Use text input for codes. Or short answers to riddles. (Like we talked about in the Gimkit Digital Escape Room post).
Math Problem Solving
Just ask for the right number answer. Students type it in.
Gimkit Games for Making Choices
Some games are perfect for practicing tough choices.
“Trust No One” Mode
This game makes students think about strategy. They guess who to trust. They take risks. It’s a social game. This builds Gimkit decision-making games.
“One Way Out” Mode
This game needs careful planning. Students must manage what they have. They think ahead.
Using Other Games
You can use “Classic” or “Team Mode.” Just make questions that give dilemmas. Students have to pick an option.
Working Together to Solve Problems
Team-based games force students to cooperate.
Team Mode Focus
Teams must talk. They must agree on answers. This works well for hard problems. Learn more about Gimkit teamwork strategies. This approach can be vital for developing problem-solving skills in education.
KitCollab for Shared Questions
Students can build a Kit together. They work on one problem. They add questions. This is inquiry-based learning activities in action.
Using Power-Ups Smartly for Skill Practice
Even power-ups can teach skills.
“Freeze” or “Disguise”
Students decide when to use these. They gain an advantage. Or they stop others. This helps them practice smart timing. It boosts Gimkit games that promote strategic thinking.
Making Skills Better Through Talking After the Game
The game is not the end. Talking about it afterward is very important. It locks in the learning.
Talking About the Game
Don’t just ask, “Who won?” Ask how students got their answers. Talk about their thinking. Talk about what was hard.
Reviewing Hard Questions
Look at the questions many students got wrong. Why were they hard? What was the mistake in thinking?
Celebrating Smart Plays
Point out clever moves. Show how teams worked well together. This makes the learning exciting.
Connecting Game Play to What They Learned
Make sure students see the link. How did the game help them learn?
Writing About Thinking
Students can write down what they did. What critical thinking skills did they use? What problem-solving steps did they take? This is reflective journaling.
Using Skills in New Ways
Give a new task after the game. It uses the same skills. But in a different situation. This helps with Gimkit for deeper conceptual understanding. You might also explore Gimkit scavenger hunt ideas for more application-based learning.
Last Words
Gimkit is so much more than a review tool. It’s a powerful place for real learning. It builds important skills for today’s world. By planning your Kits and activities carefully, you can use Gimkit for building specific skills. I mean things like critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Virtual escape rooms have been shown to improve learning performance and problem-solving skills across various subjects.
Make your teaching stronger. Help your students become smart thinkers. Help them solve problems well. Help them analyze things. Let Gimkit help you make engaging lessons. Make them challenging. Make them focus on skills. This truly gets students ready for the future!
How do you use Gimkit to make kids think harder in your class? Share your best Gimkit problem-solving activities or question types below! We love hearing from our awesome teachers.