SpeedQuizzing听has launched a free听version of its virtual听quiz听hosting platform for teachers and pupils.听
The York-based start-up听is听looking听to support both remote–听and classroom-based learning across the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.听
听provides educators with free access to an online platform which they can use to run fast-paced, interactive, multi-round virtual听quizzes to support subject learning for home and classroom-based pupils.听
To play, pupils 鈥� or their guardians 鈥� simply download the free听SpeedQuizzing听Live app to any smart device, such as a phone or tablet, and enter the听quiz听pin provided by the hosting teacher.听听
Pupils play the听quiz听using their app-enabled smart device to view and answer each question, with up to 40 pupils able to participate in the听quiz. In order to hear and see each other, home-based students require a second Zoom or Microsoft Teams enabled device, such as a computer, laptop or tablet.听
The software allows the听quiz听to be hosted and played live, with teachers able to create their own topic-specific questions in a variety of game-play formats, from multiple choice and first letter of the answer, through to picture and sequence questions.听听
Educators can also introduce time limits for answering questions, rewarding the fastest correct answer with extra points and eliminating opportunities for any googling of answers. All scoring is done automatically by the software and a range of buzzer noises are available to be allocated amongst players.听
SpeedQuizzing听co-founder Alan Leach said:听“We were surprised to hear reports that teachers across听the UK had resorted to using our existing听SpeedQuizzing听platform throughout 2020 to spice up teaching, both in the classroom and remotely, with many of them resorting to paying for the听SpeedQuizzing听license out of their own pockets.听
鈥淲e’d always assumed there would be a wealth of purpose-built interactive online educational tools already available, however the feedback we’ve received is that many of these products lack the fun-competitive element which SpeedQuizzing brings to the table.听听
鈥淲e鈥檝e created a schools-specific version in听SchoolQuizzing, which is really straightforward to use, with teachers able to quickly and easily create an account and input their own questions before running a听quiz.听听
鈥�Features such as bonus points for the fastest correct answers won’t fit in with everyone’s teaching styles or school teaching policies, but as we’ve seen from hosting fun family听quizzes throughout lockdowns over Zoom, people of all ages love trying to be the fastest to answer a question.听
鈥淲e wanted to do what we could to support schools and teachers during this challenging time, so the biggest difference between听SchoolQuizzing听and our existing听SpeedQuizzing听product is that it鈥檚 free for teachers to use throughout 2021 鈥� hopefully making a positive difference at a time when it鈥檚 most needed.鈥�听
SchoolQuizzing听offers a range of game-formats, ensuring it caters for pupils of all ages and abilities. For example, the听First Letter of the Answer听format, which is unique to听SpeedQuizzing, means that participants who may struggle with spelling and presentation find themselves on more of an even keel, as they can answer the question with a single press of a key.听
One educator 鈥� and regular pub听quiz听host – who has already trialled the tech in the classroom is Ben Knight, who teaches at All Saints鈥� First School in Leek, Staffordshire, which caters for children aged three to nine years old. He said:听
鈥淥utside of teaching, I鈥檝e hosted听SpeedQuizzing听events for a while now, and have frequently used their technology to run mini听quizzes for pupils at my school, which have always gone down very well.听
鈥淐hildren all learn in different ways, and听SpeedQuizzing听has been a great tool to keep them engaged and to allow some, who may find it difficult with their writing, to come into their own.听听
鈥�A particular favourite moment was when a child said, 鈥榯hat was the best maths lesson ever, thank you so much for making it fun鈥�. Now, whenever I bring the iPads into the classrooms, the first thing the children ask me is, 鈥榓re we听SpeedQuizzing听today?鈥�听
The York-based company, which employs 12 people, has created a new site,听, where UK-based educators can sign up to use the platform for free and access a simple tutorial on how to use it to run fast-paced, interactive听quizzes.听听
There鈥檚 also an area where pupils can go to download the free听SpeedQuizzing听Live app, which is available through Apple, Google and Amazon Play stores.听
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