Teacher Takeover: The Kahoot! Cup 2024 remains celebration of global connection and learning

What began in 2017 as a small classroom experiment has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon: the Kahoot! Cup. This year's event, held on November 21-22, brought together 4,400 students from 53 countries, united by their curiosity, creativity, and a shared mission to build bridges through learning.

Spearheaded by Kahoot! Ambassador Steve Auslander , the Kahoot! Cup is a shining example of how educational tools can foster global empathy and understanding. In its eighth year of gameplay, the Kahoot! Cup remains a celebrated event. Each year, students and teachers come together for a live, virtual, pop culture quiz tournament! Students from around the world represent their countries with flags, trophies, posters, and banners, engaging in a 30-question kahoot recapping trends, stories, and news from the year prior. Waving across the live Zoom video screen, students across all ages, grades, and ability levels corral for a collaborative, competitive, and all-around awesome live event. In the years since the inaugural event, Steve has themed the Kahoot! Cup with a mantra of "more alike than we are different" driving group success while offering trivia that transcends language and culture, including topics like global events, pop culture, and shared traditions.

From local to global: a story of growth

What started as a creative idea in Steve Auslander's Indiana classroom has flourished into a worldwide phenomenon. With the inaugural Kahoot! Cup, Steve envisioned uniting students from different corners of the world. His method? Fun, accessible quizzes rooted in pop culture and global events. Fast forward to today, and Steve, with support from his son, Benny, has crafted an experience that resonates with students and educators everywhere.

The trivia quizzes are more than just games-they are carefully curated bridges between cultures. They span universal topics like trending music, sports, world holidays, and even movie plotlines, ensuring that every participant, regardless of their background, feels connected.

Curating content with a purpose

The foundation of the Kahoot! Cup lies in its inclusive and engaging content. Each question aims to spark curiosity and foster understanding among participants. Over the years, Steve and Benny have fine-tuned their approach:

• Themes that unite: From seasonal celebrations to shared global milestones, the trivia emphasizes commonalities that transcend language or geography.
• Pop culture focus : Familiar topics like popular songs, sports icons, and blockbuster movies invite participation from all age groups.
• Collaborative creation: What began as Steve's solo endeavor now benefits from input across a diverse network, reflecting collective insights and feedback.

Hosting the world: a masterclass in global engagement

Inclusivity is a core pillar of the Kahoot! Cup. Steve has perfected a strategy to ensure participation from as many classrooms, countries, and cultures as possible. Kahoot!'ing throughout the night, Steve organizes sessions to align with the school day in different hemispheres and corners of the world!

• Broad representation: The emphasis is on reaching new corners of the globe, prioritizing diversity over numbers from any single region.
• Flexible sessions: To accommodate different time zones, four separate sessions are held, ensuring that no classroom is left behind.
• Cultural pride: Participants are encouraged to share their heritage-be it through national flags, traditional attire, or heartfelt messages celebrating their identity.

Mina A., an elementary teacher in Romania explains: "This brought more than 100 kiddos working together for one goal (TO HAVE FUN) and the fact that they were clapping for the team that won was everything."

Lifelong lessons beyond the cup

While the competition lasts only two days, its impact is lasting. The event teaches participants and educators alike the value of empathy and connection:

• Finding common ground : From shared pop culture references to mutual interests, students discover how much they have in common with peers from different parts of the world.
• Strengthening bonds: Many teachers have formed lasting friendships through these events, with some recognizing each other from past Kahoot! Cup events.
• Teaching empathy: Educators leverage the stories and experiences from the event to reinforce lessons on perspective-taking and cultural appreciation.

Karen B., a middle school teacher in Indiana, USA shares: " Wow! Inspiring children all over the world! No fighting, no ugly speech, just kids being kids! Love this Steve! Such an inspiration!"

An inspiration to all educators

The Kahoot! Cup has become a model for educators worldwide. Inspired by Steve's work, teachers in countries around the world are organizing their own versions of the event, further expanding its reach and impact!

Johann, a fifth grade teacher from the Dominican Republic shares: " At an elementary social yesterday, I was talking with other colleagues who thought it would be fun to do a Kahoot Cup but for teachers. I've been doing the Cup for the last 5 years as it's such a wonderful event and am glad all four 5th grade classes were able to join this year."

Join the movement and the moment

The Kahoot! Cup is a testament to the power of community, curiosity, and collaboration . Whether you're an experienced teacher or new to the classroom, you can bring this community spirit to your students. Join the growing Kahoot! community of Ambassadors and create your own global connections-one kahoot at a time!

Let's continue proving that we are, indeed, "more alike than we are different." Interested in joining the next Kahoot! Cup in 2025? Add your name to the mailing list to be notified of updates, registration information, and details to join the fun!

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