Kahoot: Sparking Innovation and Engagement in Modern Teaching

This action research investigated the impact of Kahoot!, a game-based digital platform, on the mathematics performance of Grade 6 learners at Communal Elementary School. The study was prompted by concerning trends in mathematics achievement, with national proficiency levels at only 33%. Through classroom observations and stakeholder interviews, researchers identified a misalignment between traditional teaching methods and students’ learning preferences as a primary root cause. The intervention was systematically implemented across all 317 Grade 6 learners following a three-phase approach: pre-implementation assessment and preparation, structured implementation with regular Kahoot! sessions, and post-implementation evaluation. A paired samples t-test revealed significantly higher mathematics performance after the Kahoot! intervention (M = 6.216, SD = .098) compared to pre-intervention scores (M = 4.414, SD = 1.871), t(273) = -13.320, p < .001, with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = -.806). Thematic analysis of teacher reflections identified four key dimensions of implementation experience: initial skepticism and gradual engagement, differential student responses, pedagogical adaptation and professional growth, and emotional complexity. The intervention particularly benefited previously disengaged students, while high-achieving students maintained consistent performance. Despite limitations related to response heterogeneity, the findings advocate for continued implementation of game-based learning platforms in mathematics education, with recommendations for investigating moderating factors and optimizing implementation strategies.