By Bemi Brooks 
Did you know that students in game-based learning environments can show a 20% increase in retention compared to traditional review sessions? The secret to unlocking this potential in your classroom isn’t just the game itself—it’s the educator behind the screen, the Gimkit host.
As the host, you’re more than just a game master; you’re an experience architect. Your role is to blend fun, competition, and curriculum into a powerful learning cocktail. This guide will give you everything you need to master the Gimkit host role, design unforgettable review experiences, and use the rich assessment data to inform your teaching.
Think of yourself as the director of a play. The students are the actors, and Gimkit is your stage. Your job is to set the scene, guide the action, and make sure everyone leaves feeling like a star. The host controls the critical levers of the game:
- Game Selection: Choosing the right mode (Classic, Team Mode, Trust No One, etc.) for your class’s energy and learning objective.
- Question Crafting: Populating the game with high-quality, curriculum-aligned questions.
- Pacing & Economy: Adjusting in-game cash, power-up costs, and game length to keep engagement high.
- Data Interpretation: Analyzing the post-game report to see exactly what your students know and where they need help.
When you embrace this role fully, you transform a simple quiz into a dynamic learning event.
Ready to host your first epic game? Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and impactful session.
1. Pre-Game Prep: Building Your Kit
- Log In & Create: Head to Gimkit.com, log into your educator account, and click “New Kit.”
- Choose Your Questions: You can write your own, import from a spreadsheet, or use Gimkit’s “KitCollab” to have your students help build the question set. Pro tip: Include a mix of question difficulties to challenge all learners.
- Select a Game Mode: This is your secret weapon. Is your class competitive? Try “Classic.” Need to foster collaboration? “Team Mode” is perfect. Want to introduce intrigue? “Trust No One” is a student favorite.
- Set Your Economy: Adjust the starting cash, answer rewards, and penalty for wrong answers. A higher penalty can encourage careful thinking, while a generous economy keeps the game fast and fun.
2. Launching the Live Game
- Display the Code: Once you hit “Start Game,” a unique game code will appear on your screen. Project this for your students.
- Students Join: Students go to Gimkit.com/join on their devices, enter the code, and their name. Encourage them to use real names for easier data tracking later!
- Host Controls: Keep the host tab open on your device. Here, you can pause the game, adjust settings on the fly, or even project the “Leaderboard” to fuel friendly competition.
3. During the Game: Be an Active Host
- Circulate the Room: Don’t just sit at your desk! Walk around, feel the energy of the room, and listen to student conversations. You’ll get instant, qualitative feedback.
- Offer “Power-Up” Hints: If you notice the entire class struggling with a concept, pause the game and offer a quick mini-lesson.
- Encourage Sportsmanship: Celebrate big moves and encourage students who are struggling. The host sets the tone.
The chart below shows a typical engagement curve during a live Gimkit game, highlighting key moments where host intervention can boost energy and focus.
This is where the Gimkit host role becomes truly powerful. The game doesn’t end when the winner is declared; it’s when you open your reports.
After the game, you’ll get a detailed breakdown. You can see:
- Question Analysis: Which questions had the lowest percentage correct? This instantly identifies topics that need re-teaching.
- Student Performance: See how each individual performed, not just who finished first. This helps you plan for differentiation and small group instruction.
- Overall Class Health: Get a snapshot of overall class understanding of the reviewed material.
This data is your roadmap for the next day’s lesson. Did 80% of the class miss a question about photosynthesis? Now you know exactly what to review tomorrow.
Even the best hosts can stumble. Here’s how to sidestep common pitfalls:
- Choosing the Wrong Mode for the Goal: Using a chaotic, fun mode like “Trust No One” for a high-stakes final exam review might not be the best fit. Match the mode to your objective.
- Ignoring the Data: It’s easy to play the game and move on. But skipping the report means you’re missing Gimkit’s most powerful feature. Schedule two minutes after the game to quickly scan the question analysis.
- Not Setting Clear Expectations: Before you start, remind students about sportsmanship, the importance of trying their best (not just winning), and that the goal is learning. A quick pep talk makes a huge difference.
- Letting the Game Run Too Long: The sweet spot is usually 10-15 minutes. You want to end while energy is still high, leaving them wanting more, not feeling burned out.
Becoming a master Gimkit host is a journey. Start here:
- Experiment with One New Mode: Next time, try a game mode you’ve never used before.
- Make a Data Promise: After your next game, vow to use one piece of data from the report to inform a teaching decision.
- Ask Your Students: The best feedback comes from your players. Ask them what their favorite modes are and what they feel helps them learn the most.
What’s one change you’ll make in your next Gimkit session?
You May Also Read: How to Keep Your Kid Engaged Without Relying on Screens
Q: Do I need a paid account to be a Gimkit host?
A: You can host live games with a free Gimkit account, but it has limitations (like a cap of 5 players). The paid Gimkit Pro “Teach” plan unlocks full class sizes and all game modes.
Q: Can students host a Gimkit game?
A: Not in the same way. Students can create Kits (question sets) with KitCollab, but only a teacher account with a host subscription can actually start and control a live game.
Q: My game code isn’t working. What should I do?
A: First, ensure you’ve clicked “Start Game” and that the game is still active. Codes expire after a certain period of inactivity. If problems persist, try refreshing your host page to generate a new code.
Q: Can I use Gimkit for asynchronous work?
A: Yes! Gimkit offers “Assignments” that students can complete on their own time, without needing a live host. It’s a great way to extend learning beyond the classroom.
Q: How is Gimkit different from Kahoot or Blooket?
A: While all are engaging, Gimkit is unique for its persistent in-game economy (students earn and spend cash), deeper strategy through power-ups, and incredibly robust data reporting for teachers.
Q: What if a student gets disconnected during a game?
A: No problem! They can simply re-join using the same game code and their name. Their progress and cash are usually saved.
Q: Are there pre-made Gimkit kits I can use?
A: Absolutely! The Gimkit gallery is filled with thousands of pre-made kits on every subject imaginable. You can use them as-is or copy and edit them to fit your needs.
Arthur