How to Handle Students Using Nicknames for Online Games

Online activities available through platforms including Quizlet and Kahoot! have the potential to engage and motivate students. Students love competing individually or as teams to answer questions, and teachers can use data available following the activity to gauge student mastery of instructional objectives. You've familiarized yourself with the platform and are ready to try Quizlet Live or Kahoot! with students. But, what do you do when students do not enter their own names as they are joining the game?
First of all, expect before students log on that some may not enter their actual name. For many teachers, this may be a first experience using an online learning activity in the classroom. Remember that our students are "digital natives" who have grown up using technology. Students know that it will be very difficult to determine which students are not using their names depending on the size of the class, and to some extent they will be able to remain anonymous. The teacher has the ability to delete users from the game who are not using their actual names. However, then the teacher is left reviewing which students have logged on correctly which can waste valuable instructional time especially if it is a large class.
I would recommend talking to the class before the activity begins, and let them know that your expectation if that each student will use their actual name. I tell them that they will have one chance to do this. I plan an alternative activity, and if I have even a single student log on with a different name, I stop the online activity immediately. I tell students that we will try again at a future date, and I will need 100% cooperation. Students love competitive online games, and usually one time of canceling the activity is all it will take to prevent the problem from happening again in the future.
Unfortunately I have had students try to use hateful and homophobic user name which the whole class sees projected. I talk to my students all year about creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment, and incidents such as these are a reminder that many of our students hold prejudices against those who are different despite our best efforts as classroom teachers. I am going to continue to talk to students, and to build a community based on respect and acceptance in my classroom.
I hope those of you using digital learning platforms will find this post helpful. Let me know how you have successfully managed online games in the classroom!

Reflections

As another school year winds down, I'm reflecting on the opportunities I have had to integrate technology in my world language classroom. Students enjoyed researching Spanish-speaking countries and cultures online, and creating presentations in Google Slides to share with the class. The educational app Quizlet was a huge hit. Students were very engaged when reviewing vocabulary and grammar with the games and activities available on Quizlet. Most of all, the loved playing "Quizlet Live", where they had the opportunity to compete as teams. Quizzizz was another app I found helpful. I was able to glean formative data, and students gained insight into their understanding of key concepts. I'm excited about ways that technology engaged students and enriched my world language instruction.