Benefits and challenges of using game-based formative assessment among undergraduate students

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This research aims to identify the advantages and challenges faced by TESL undergraduates from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in using Kahoot as a formative assessment tool in a course, i.e., Teaching of Writing in English as a Second Language Context. Methodology: The research instruments employed are semistructured interviews and questionnaire. All 46 Year 3 TESL students enrolled in the course responded to the questionnaire, while five of them responded to the individual interview session. Main Findings: The findings indicate that the majority of the respondents agreed that the application of Kahoot enables students to relate to lectures and lecture notes, recall important points, and discover other useful information and knowledge pertaining to the course. Despite the advantages mentioned, the challenges faced were also identified. Among the challenges mentioned are students’ readiness and mastery level of the topics revised. Applications of this study: With the proper usage of Kahoot in a classroom context, both educators and students could adopt it as a learning catalyst to enhance teaching and learning. Novelty/Originality of this study: The students’ knowledge and interest could be improved using Kahoot if the educator plays his/roles and know what they should do to implement Kahoot in their own class.