Is It the Right Time to Include Kahoot?

Abstract

This study aimed to test the effectiveness of the 'Kahoot!' gamification program. It is one of the first studies of its kind to be conducted in a university in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). An experimental design was adopted, followed by interview-style surveys. The sample comprised two, randomly selected groups who were undertaking the Grammar module of the English Diploma at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, KSA. One group, allocated to use Google Forms for their assignments, consisted of 32 female students. The other group, consisting of 32 female students, was allocated to use ‘Kahoot!’ (gamification) for their assignments. The results indicated no significant differences between the groups in terms of their grammar development. However, the impact factor was higher in the Kahoot! group, and the students in this group were very positive in describing their experience.