How to Use Gimkit to Foster Healthy Competition in Class

In the modern classroom, engagement is the currency of learning. Teachers are constantly searching for tools that not only capture students’ attention but also sustain it long enough for deep learning to occur. Among the myriad of edtech platforms available today, Gimkit has emerged as a standout favorite for its unique ability to blend assessment with high-energy gameplay. Unlike traditional quiz platforms where speed and accuracy are the only metrics, Gimkit introduces strategy, resource management, and a dynamic economy that levels the playing field.

However, any game-based learning tool brings a challenge: managing competition. While competition can drive motivation, it can also lead to discouragement or disengagement if not handled correctly. The secret to Gimkit’s success lies in how teachers deploy it to foster healthy competition—an environment where students strive to improve, collaborate, and celebrate collective success rather than just individual dominance.

This guide explores the features of Gimkit and provides practical strategies for teachers to build a positive, competitive culture in their classrooms.

Understanding the Gimkit Ecosystem

To leverage Gimkit effectively, it is essential to understand what makes it different from platforms like Kahoot! or Quizizz. Created by a high school student, Gimkit was designed with game theory in mind.

At its core, Gimkit is a quiz game, but with a twist. Students answer questions on their own devices at their own pace. Each correct answer earns them in-game virtual currency. But here is where the strategy kicks in: students can use that currency to buy upgrades and power-ups in the “Shop.”

Key Features That Drive Engagement

• The Economy: Students aren’t just racking up points; they are building an engine. They can buy “Money per Question” upgrades to increase their earnings or “Streak Bonuses” to reward consistency. This adds a layer of depth that appeals to students who might not be the fastest at answering but are excellent strategists.
• Power-Ups: These are game-changers. Some power-ups are defensive (protecting your earnings), while others can be offensive (freezing another player’s screen or reducing their earnings). This interaction keeps the leaderboard volatile and exciting.
• Varied Game Modes: Gimkit isn’t just one game. Modes like “The Floor is Lava” require cooperation to keep the class “alive,” while “Trust No One” mimics the social deduction mechanics of popular games like Among Us.
• Repetition for Mastery: Unlike games where a question appears once, Gimkit cycles through the question set. This repetition reinforces learning, as students see the same content multiple times until they master it to earn cash.

Strategies for Fostering Healthy Competition

The line between fun rivalry and toxic competition is thin. Healthy competition focuses on growth, effort, and sportsmanship. Toxic competition focuses solely on winning, often at the expense of others’ feelings. Here is how to use Gimkit to ensure your classroom stays on the healthy side of that line.

1. Shift the Focus from “Winning” to “Strategy”

In a traditional quiz, the smartest student usually wins. In Gimkit, the student with the best strategy often takes the lead. Make this explicit to your students. Before starting a session, discuss different approaches.

• Scenario: A student who struggles with content might feel defeated before the game starts.
• Solution: Encourage them to focus on the “Multiplier” upgrade early in the game. Even if they answer fewer questions correctly, the questions they do get right will be worth significantly more. This levels the playing field and gives every student a fighting chance, boosting confidence.

2. Utilize Team Modes Over Individual Modes

While “Classic” mode (every student for themselves) is fun, Team Mode is where healthy competition thrives. Gimkit automatically balances teams, or you can assign them.

When students work in teams, the dynamic shifts from “I need to beat you” to “We need to help each other.” Stronger students naturally begin to tutor their teammates because the team’s total cash depends on everyone’s contribution. The competition becomes Class A vs. Class B, or Red Team vs. Blue Team, rather than student vs. student. This builds camaraderie and soft skills like communication and collaboration.

3. Set Collective Class Goals

One of the most powerful ways to use Gimkit is to set a “Class Goal” rather than a time limit. In this mode, the game ends only when the class collectively earns a certain amount of money (e.g., $10,000,000).

This completely removes the adversarial element. Suddenly, it is the entire class against the game. You will see students cheering each other on, shouting out tips on which upgrades to buy, and celebrating together when the goal is reached. This is the epitome of healthy engagement—everyone pushing in the same direction.

4. Manage the “Nasty” Power-Ups

Gimkit includes power-ups that allow students to sabotage each other, such as “Icer” (freezes a screen) or “Subtractor” (removes money). While these can add excitement, they can also cause frustration and hurt feelings, especially in younger grades.

• Teacher Tip: You have control over which power-ups are available. For the first few sessions, turn off the offensive power-ups. Let students get used to the mechanics of earning and upgrading. Once the class culture is secure and students understand it is “just a game,” you can reintroduce them as a fun twist. Alternatively, use them only in “Team Mode,” where getting “iced” feels less like a personal attack and more like a strategic hurdle for the group.

5. Debrief After the Game

Don’t just let the bell ring and end the lesson. The post-game debrief is crucial for framing the competition healthily.

Instead of just praising the winner, praise the strategy. Ask questions like:

• “Who earned the most money without answering the most questions correctly?”
• “What upgrade helped you the most?”
• “How did it feel when the other team overtook us, and how did we recover?”

Highlighting resilience and strategic thinking validates students who may not have finished first but still engaged deeply with the material.

Practical Classroom Scenarios

To visualize how this works in practice, let’s look at two distinct classroom setups.

Scenario A: The Test Review (High Stakes)

• Context: A high school biology class is reviewing for a final exam. Anxiety is high.
• Approach: The teacher uses “Infinity Mode” (no time limit) but sets a collective financial goal. The class must earn $50 million collectively to “unlock” a reward, such as 5 minutes of free time or a hint on the exam.
• Outcome: Students drill the questions repeatedly without the fear of being ranked at the bottom. The high-achieving students drive the earnings, while struggling students get the repetition they need without public shaming. The competition is against the “Bank,” not each other.

Scenario B: The Friday Fun Review (Low Stakes)

• Context: A middle school history class wrapping up a unit on the Civil War.
• Approach: The teacher uses “Tag Mode.” In this mode, students run around a virtual map answering questions to earn energy. They can tag players from the opposing team to steal their energy.
• Outcome: This combines the excitement of a video game with academic content. Because the mechanic involves movement and territorial control, it appeals to gamers. The competition is intense but focused on the game mechanics (tagging) rather than just academic prowess, allowing different types of students to shine.

Maintaining an Inclusive Environment

The ultimate goal of using Gimkit is inclusivity. If the same three students win every time, the rest of the class will eventually check out. To prevent this:

1. Rotate Game Modes: Don’t play Classic mode every time. Switch between cooperative modes (The Floor is Lava), social deduction modes (Trust No One), and creative modes (Draw That). Different modes favor different skill sets.
2. Anonymous Nicknames: Occasionally, allow students to use aliases. This removes the ego from the leaderboard. A shy student might play more aggressively and confidently if they know their peers don’t know who “SuperPotato” is until the end.
3. Celebrate Improvement: Gimkit provides detailed reports after the session. Look for students who improved their accuracy from the last session, even if they didn’t win. Publicly acknowledging “Most Improved” is often more motivating than acknowledging “First Place.”

The Benefits for Teachers and Students

When implemented with intention, Gimkit does more than just fill time. It transforms the classroom dynamic.

For Students:

• Reduced Anxiety: The game mechanics distract from the pressure of testing. Students are so focused on buying the next upgrade that they forget they are being assessed.
• Autonomy: Students control their own path. They decide when to answer questions and when to shop. This agency increases buy-in.
• Soft Skills: Managing virtual money teaches basic financial literacy (investment vs. saving) and risk assessment.

For Teachers:

• Instant Data: While students play, the teacher gets real-time data on who is struggling and which questions are being missed. This allows for immediate intervention.
• Effortless Differentiation: Because students move at their own pace, advanced students aren’t waiting for others, and those who need more time aren’t rushed. The game automatically differentiates the pacing.
• Classroom Culture: A session of healthy, laughing, shouting-out-loud competition builds a bond between students and teacher. It creates a shared memory that strengthens the classroom community.

Conclusion

Gimkit is a powerful ally in the quest for student engagement, but like any tool, its impact depends on the craftsman. By shifting the focus from individual dominance to strategic growth, utilizing cooperative modes, and actively managing the classroom culture, teachers can turn a simple quiz game into a vehicle for healthy competition.

When students leave the class debating the best power-up strategy or laughing about a narrow team victory, they carry the content out the door with them. That is the power of gamification done right—learning that feels like play, and competition that lifts everyone up.