Introduction

Thank you, everyone, for joining today’s session. In this workshop, we’re going to explore how interactive tools like Blooket and Bamboozle can be used to support engagement, reinforcement, and participation in learning environments.

Many of us already use tools such as Moodle quizzes and discussion forums for low-stakes assessment and knowledge checks. Today’s focus is on how game-based platforms can offer an alternative way to ask the same questions, but in a more playful and interactive format.

Why Game-Based Learning?

At their core, tools like Blooket and Bamboozle are still doing what traditional quizzes do:

• Checking understanding

• Reinforcing key concepts

• Repeating questions to support retention

The difference is how students interact with the material.

Instead of simply answering a question and moving on, students may:

• Gain or lose points

• Swap scores with others

• Steal points

• Experience chance-based outcomes

This unpredictability adds an element of play, which can increase engagement and motivation.

Blooket: Engagement Through Play

Blooket allows instructors to use question sets in a variety of game modes. While the questions themselves may stay the same, the experience changes depending on the mode selected.

Students often find this engaging because:

• The competitive elements keep them focused

• Outcomes are not always linear or predictable

• Answering correctly doesn’t always guarantee points

Even when students lose points, they remain engaged because the experience feels like a game rather than a test.

Importantly, the repetition of questions supports learning. Students may see the same question multiple times, which reinforces key information.

Assessment and Feedback

Blooket also provides reporting features. Instructors can review:

• How individual students performed

• Overall class performance

• Common areas of difficulty

This allows the tool to function not only as an engagement activity, but also as a formative assessment tool that informs instructional decisions.

Bamboozle: Collaboration and Participation

Bamboozle works well in group-based or collaborative settings. It encourages:

• Team discussion

• Shared decision-making

• Participation from quieter students

Because students answer together, the pressure of individual performance is reduced. This can make Bamboozle especially useful for:

• Review sessions

• Icebreakers

• Low-stakes knowledge checks

Pedagogical Considerations

While these tools are fun, it’s important to use them intentionally. The goal is not novelty, but alignment with learning outcomes.

When using game-based tools, consider:

• What skill or concept is being reinforced

• Whether competition supports or hinders learning for your students

• How often repetition is helpful versus overwhelming

Used thoughtfully, these platforms can enhance learning without replacing sound instructional design.

Closing Thoughts

Blooket and Bamboozle offer instructors another way to engage students using familiar content in new formats. They don’t replace traditional assessments, but they can complement them, especially for review, reinforcement, and participation.

By balancing play with purpose, educators can use technology not just to entertain, but to support meaningful learning experiences.