Can I reuse a Gimkit code? [2024]

Can I reuse a Gimkit code? Gimkit is an online game-based learning platform that allows teachers to create interactive learning games called “kits” for their students. Kits include flashcards, quizzes, competitions and more to help engage students with course material in a fun way.

One feature of Gimkit is game codes, which allow access to specific kits. Teachers can generate a unique game code for each kit they create. This code can then be shared with students so they can enter the code and play that particular kit. With each new kit, a new game code is generated.

A common question teachers have is whether Gimkit game codes can be reused for multiple classes or if a new code needs to be created every time. Here is what you need to know about reusing Gimkit game codes:

The short answer

In most cases, yes – Gimkit game codes can be reused. As long as the kit itself has not been deleted, the same game code can be shared across multiple classes and over multiple school years. There are just a few caveats to keep in mind.

Longer explanation

When a teacher first creates a new Gimkit, a unique game code is randomly generated. This code essentially acts as the “key” into that specific kit.

Teachers have two options when sharing game codes with students:

1. Share a code valid for a single session

• This code will expire after the session ends.
• Good for one class period or assignment.
• Students cannot re-enter the kit with the same code after the session expires.

2. Share a permanent code

• This code never expires and can be used repeatedly.
• Good for reusing the kit across classes or school years.
• Students can enter the permanent code anytime to access the kit.

So with the permanent game code option, teachers can easily reuse the same kit and code indefinitely. Some key advantages of reusing codes:

• Saves time – Don’t need to generate and share new codes every time
• Consistent access – Students always know the code to enter for certain kits
• Track progress – Student progress is linked to each permanent code

There are a few caveats though:

• If the original kit is deleted, the code will no longer work even if permanent
• Teachers can’t have multiple permanent codes for the same exact kit
• Permanent codes should be treated carefully since anyone with the code can access

Overall though, the ability to reuse Gimkit game codes is a great convenience for teachers. Just be careful not to delete the original kit and don’t share permanent codes publicly.

When should I generate a new Gimkit code?

In general, you should generate a fresh Gimkit game code when:

• You’ve created a brand new kit – Each kit automatically gets its own unique code
• You want a code that expires after a set time period or session
• You want tracking or analytics separated for different classes
• You want to provide timed access, like only during a specific class period

Otherwise, for existing kits, reusing the permanent game code is typically the best approach for simplicity and convenience.

Here are some specific examples of when generating a new code would be appropriate:

1. For a new class term or semester

While permanent codes don’t expire, some teachers like to generate new codes at the start of a new term even for existing kits. This lets them analyze results and student progress for each term separately. Temporary codes that expire at term end can also prevent students from other classes accessing the kits.

2. For a substitute teacher

If you’ll be out for a while, providing substitute teachers with single session codes ensures they can conduct your lesson plans without your permanent kit codes. The codes will expire after the sub is done, maintaining your control.

3. To share kits with other teachers

While you can share permanent codes with other teachers to collaborate, it’s safer to create temporary single session codes to share kits. This prevents changes to your kit if they alter it.

4. For student teachers

Student teachers appreciating access to your kits can get single session codes to use during their time working with you. You maintain ultimate control without sharing permanent codes.

5. For kits based on secure content

If your kits contain questions on content you don’t want accessed long-term like for standardized tests, temporary single session codes limit exposure.

So in summary, permanent Gimkit codes provide easy reuse but temporary codes still have their place when you want limited or one-time access.

Tips for keeping your kits secure

When sharing Gimkit game codes with others, you want to balance ease of access with security. Here are some tips:

• Only share permanent codes with students and classes you actually teach
• Generate temporary one-session codes for providing limited access
• Have students log into Gimkit to play kits for added security
• Review kit analytics occasionally to look for unexpected usage
• Reset permanent codes periodically if concerned about access
• Delete kits at the end of the school year if no longer needed

The main risk with permanent codes is that anyone who obtains the code can access your kit unless you delete it. So treat permanent codes carefully and reset them if needed.

Enable requiring student login for additional protection. This links progress to student accounts rather than just the code.

One-session temporary codes expire automatically after the time period you specify, so are safer for sharing kits outside your classes.

Overall, reused permanent codes are fine for your own students as long as you remain the owner of the kits. Just use caution when providing wider kit access.

Can students reuse game codes?

For student-created Gimkit kits, the same game code rules apply:

• Permanent codes can be reused indefinitely for a kit, until the kit is deleted.
• Temporary codes will expire after a set time period or session.

Students have full control over their own kits and can reuse permanent codes or generate new temporary ones as needed.

The main limitation is that once a student deletes their own kit, any associated codes will no longer work since the content it pointed to is gone.

In general, it’s recommended students use permanent game codes when possible to make it easy to:

• Share their kit with classmates for review, study or competition.
• Allow the teacher access to the kit for assessment.
• Work on the kit content over multiple sessions to make edits and improvements.

Temporary codes are still good for use cases like:

• Sharing the kit just for a single class period or group activity.
• Providing one-time access to the teacher or student tutor without ability to make changes.

For group projects, best practice is for one student to create the kit and maintain the permanent code that group members can all access.

So in summary, both students and teachers can benefit from reusing permanent Gimkit game codes when appropriate to maximize the convenience and accessibility they provide!

Creating an effective Gimkit code strategy

Here are some best practices for teachers to effectively utilize Gimkit game codes:

Use permanent codes as the default

The ability to reuse codes indefinitely makes permanent codes ideal for your core kits used regularly in classes and assignments. Avoid constantly creating new codes.

Generate temporary codes for limited sharing

When providing access to substitute teachers, student teachers or for secure content, use temporary codes that expire to limit access.

Reset permanent codes periodically

If concerned about a permanent code being widely shared, periodically reset it to a new code and share only with your current students.

Organize codes systematically

Keep track of which code is for which kit using a consistent naming scheme in your notes. Include whether codes are permanent or temporary.

Analyze kit analytics for odd usage

Routinely check the kit analytics for any unusual access patterns, which could indicate a code has been shared widely.

Caution students on code sharing

Remind students to be careful about sharing their kit codes publicly on social media or elsewhere online for security.

Delete unused kits over time

Remember to delete kits you are no longer using so students don’t keep accessing them with old codes.

With a purposeful strategy, you can maximize the convenience of code reuse while minimizing risks. Both you and your students will appreciate it!

Troubleshooting game codes

If you are having issues with Gimkit game codes, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Double check the code – Make sure you entered the code correctly with no typos. Try re-entering it.
• Verify the kit exists – The code won’t work if the kit was deleted by the owner. Check with them.
• Make sure it’s valid – Expired single session codes won’t work anymore. Neither will codes for deleted kits.
• Check code type – Temporary codes may have expired or be one-time use. Permanent codes should always work.
• Contact the teacher – If it’s a teacher’s kit, reach out to them to request a new code in case there is an issue.
• Resetting codes – Teachers can reset permanent kit codes if needed. Students can also edit kit settings to change the code.
• Confirm you can log in – Some kits require logging into Gimkit, so check you can access your account if that is enabled.
• Refresh browser – Sometimes browser glitches prevent codes from being accepted, so try refreshing.
• Contact Gimkit support – If you can’t resolve the issue, reach out to Gimkit’s customer support for further help.

With a few simple checks, you should be able to quickly fix any games code problems and get back to playing Gimkit!

Key takeaways on reusing Gimkit game codes

• Permanent game codes can be reused indefinitely as long as the kit exists. This provides easy access for students across classes.
• Temporary one-session codes expire after a set time and are good for limited sharing. Teachers control when students can access kits.
• Students can reuse permanent codes for their kits until they delete them. Temporary codes provide limited access.
• Generating fresh codes is recommended for new kits, substitutes, student teachers or securing test content access.
• Be thoughtful about who gets permanent kit access to balance security and reuse convenience.
• Delete unused kits over time so old permanent codes don’t continue providing access.

With a sound game code strategy, both teachers and students can maximize the benefits of Gimkit while minimizing risks!

While reusing permanent Gimkit game codes offers significant convenience for teachers, there are a few additional factors to consider when taking this approach across multiple classes and terms. Thinking through these areas will ensure secure and successful ongoing code reuse.

Student enrollment changes

If using permanent game codes repeatedly with your classes, keep in mind that your student roster likely changes each term. Here are a few implications:

• New students won’t have seen the kit before and may need more introduction. Don’t assume all students have accessed the kits previously.
• Student progress is linked to the code, so new students won’t share progress with prior students. Track progress separately each term if needed.
• Delete student accounts as students graduate or switch classes. Don’t keep exposing the kit to students no longer in your course.
• If you want to analyze results by class or term, use temporary codes that expire rather than permanent.

Overall, while reusing codes is convenient, take care not to assume students already know a kit well based on prior classes. Treat each class as new when introducing and teaching the kits.

Kit content changes over time

If you reuse the same kits year after year, you will likely want to make edits and enhancements to the content periodically. This means students may encounter slightly different versions of the kit.

• Clearly communicate any major kit updates at the start of a new term so students aren’t confused by changes.
• Make tweaks and improvements during off-peak times or between classes rather than mid-term.
• If desired, duplicate kits and retain previous versions while updating master kit copies for the new term.
• Weigh whether certain kits need reworking or are better retired and replaced with new kits.

Reusing permanent codes doesn’t mean you can’t still improve kits. Just carefully consider the student experience when altering content they may be familiar with already. Communicate changes clearly.

Multiple teachers may access kits

When using permanent game codes over many terms, you may end up with more than one teacher accessing the kit – for example, adding a teacher assistant or substitute.

• Use edit access settings to control who can modify the kit contents and settings. Don’t let others make uncontrolled changes.
• Have a shared understanding of how the kits should be used across teachers. Communicate about any changes made.
• Temporarily revoke kit access from previous teachers no longer involved in the course.
• Monitor analytics for unexpected peaks in usage that may indicate additional teachers using the kit.

While access for multiple teachers can be helpful, maintain control over permanent kit codes to prevent issues from emerging over time as staffing changes.

Long-term kit management

When reusing kits extensively across terms, you may end up with dozens of kits accrued over the years. Effectively managing a large catalog presents some challenges.

• Carefully name and organize kits so you can find specific ones easily when it’s time to reuse each term.
• Delete old kits you no longer need so they don’t clutter your account. Disable unused permanent codes.
• Archive outdated kits you want to keep but won’t actively use. Remove their permanent codes.
• Create kit collections to group similar kits for easier access and organization.
• Develop a consistent kit naming and architecture scheme that will scale over years.

Invest time upfront in thoughtfully organizing, cleaning up and managing your expanding kit catalog to save hassle when prepping for classes each year.

Student kit behavior over multiple terms

For student-created kits using permanent game codes, good management is also key for successful reuse across terms.

• Remind students to cleanly edit kit content rather than creating duplicative versions. Encourage master kit upkeep.
• Have students name kits intelligently to identify versions and purposes clearly.
• Prompt students to remove irrelevant kits from prior terms so their accounts stay clean.
• Ask students to document their kits for transparency on edits across terms.
• Consider having term-specific kit versions if needed to preserve historical records.

Guiding students to care for their kits like living documents will set them up for easier long-term reuse and improvements. Encourage responsibility and ownership.

Potential technology issues over time

Any technology product can undergo changes over the course of years that affect integration and functionality. Be prepared.

• Bookmark key kit links rather than accessing kits through codes to avoid broken access if underlying tech changes.
• Download kit content periodically as backups in case of any platform-level issues.
• Test that your kits work adequately in the latest version of the Gimkit app/site before a new term. Identify any tech glitches early.
• Have backup analog kits or activities ready in case any critical kits fail to load properly due to technical problems.
• Maintain communication channels with Gimkit developers to stay abreast of known issues and product updates that may impact you.

While unlikely, it’s smart to plan for scenarios where kits don’t load properly after years of flawless reuse. Technology shifts can disrupt access.

Best practices for managing permanent Gimkit game codes

Given the longer time horizon when reusing permanent game codes extensively, it’s important to follow best practices around code management. This will prevent issues and maximize the value of code reuse over time.

Here are some recommended management strategies:

Carefully track permanent codes

Don’t let permanent game codes get lost! Keep a persistent record of which code goes with each kit. Options include:

• A spreadsheet linking kits to permanent codes
• A document organizing kits with their codes
• A notebook logging your kit coding system
• Adding the code to the kit name or description
• Including the code on printed kit instructions you retain

Treat permanent codes like valuable passwords. Losing a code means losing kit access until reset.

Proactively reset codes when needed

If a permanent code gets overshared or you want to revamp security, take advantage of the ability to reset codes.

You can reset the permanent code for a kit through the Gimkit editing interface. Just update the code setting.

Let students know you’ll be refreshing the code so their prior code stops working. Share the new code.

Periodically resetting permanent codes gives you added control over access.

Temporarily disable kit visibility

If you need to temporarily limit access to kits between terms, you can unpublish kits to remove visibility rather than resetting codes.

The “Change Visibility” setting when editing a kit lets you disable public findability of your kits on Gimkit.

This prevents random users who get your permanent codes from accessing kits you want private.

You can easily republish kits when needed again. Much quicker than code resets!

Develop clear kit naming conventions

With a kit library that keeps growing, a clear naming scheme helps identify kits for reuse yearly. Some ideas:

• Include the course name, grade level or term in the kit title
• Add version numbers to kit names for iteration tracking
• Abbreviate kit names with consistent acronyms and prefixes
• Use consistent title case or separators between phrases

Standardized kit naming goes a long way for quick scanning and matching kits to classes!

Delete and archive unused kits

To prevent permanent codes from providing access to irrelevant or outdated kits:

• Delete kits you no longer use at all. This permanently disables the associated codes.
• Remove public visibility on unused kits to temporarily prevent access by code.
• Download and archive kit backups before deleting for historical records if needed.

Keep only your active kits published and coded. Archive or delete the rest based on their purpose. Keep your account uncluttered!

Organize kits into collections

For additional organizational control, use the “Collections” feature to group related kits into categories and subcollections.

This provides a cleaner interface to access certain kits faster based on your learning areas, topics or class structures.

Add relevant search tags to kits as well so filtering the collections is easier with shared metadata.

Effective use of collections helps overcome code management headaches for large libraries. Codes then become secondary.

Special considerations for student game code reuse

Students reusing their own Gimkit game codes across terms comes with some unique benefits, risks and best practices compared to teacher kit code reuse.

Here are key factors for students to consider:

Benefits of long-term student code reuse

Reusing permanent game codes offers students important continuity benefits:

• Lets students build upon work done in prior terms rather than starting from scratch.
• Provides a sense of ownership and stewardship over kits as ongoing projects.
• Allows easier sharing with classmates who can access kits over multiple terms.
• Enables teachers to track progress in kit quality over time.
• Gives students already familiar with the platform a head start on peers.
• Rewards students’ efforts more when they are reused rather than one-off.
• Maintains access to kits even if students switch teachers or classes.

With good kit curation, students can retain the investments they make in kits beyond a single term.

Risks to manage with ongoing access

Uncontrolled permanent kit access also poses some risks requiring student awareness:

• Other students can make unwanted changes to kits if access isn’t properly limited.
• Teachers may alter kits in ways students don’t intend if not communicated.
• Permanent codes could enable cheating if students overly rely on kits for assignments.
• Deprecated kits aren’t cleaned up, cluttering student accounts and the platform.
• Students may forget to evolve kits, treating them statically rather than improving them.

Proper oversight and communication is key to minimizing downsides of ongoing access. Responsibility is required.

Code hygiene habits for students

To maximize the upside of code reuse while limiting risks, students should adopt good code hygiene habits:

• Only provide permanent codes to teachers and classmates, no wider sharing.
• Reset permanent codes if concerned they’ve been shared too widely.
• Cleanly edit kit content rather than duplicating versions to stay organized.
• Delete deprecated kits no longer being used from previous terms.
• Review and refresh kits periodically rather than assuming they remain relevant.
• Prominently document kit changes so previous users understand updates.
• Discuss intended kit uses with teachers rather than making assumptions.

With the right diligence, students can keep their kit lifespans and usefulness extending for the long term.

Student kit archiving strategies

For kits no longer actively used but with historical value, students have archiving options:

• Download kits locally as backups before deleting online versions.
• Change kit visibility to “unpublished” to hide public access but retain kits.
• Utilize Gimkit Collections to move inactive kits out of the main interface.
• Rename kits to start with “DEPRECATED – ” or similar to identify obsolete versions.
• Replace permanent codes with temporary single session codes to restrict access.

Archiving still lets students access their progress and records in the future if desired. But it keeps access limited for inactive kits.

Transitioning kits to new students

Togain the most value from their kits, departing students should facilitate effective kit transitions:

• Remove temporary access granted to any teachers or tutors no longer involved.
• Provide permanent kit access to new teachers taking over for continuity.
• Guide new students on how kits are meant to be used and updated over time.
• Consider giving select new students editor access to continue maturing kits collaboratively.
• Temporarily disable public visibility if concerned about open access until the transition is complete.

With a thoughtful transition plan, students can preserve their kit investments even after moving on from a class or school. Their work can benefit others for years to come!

Converting temporary codes to permanent

While temporary single session Gimkit game codes naturally expire, sometimes it is useful to convert these codes into permanent reusable codes. Here are tips on how teachers and students can accomplish this.

Teachers converting temporary codes

As a Gimkit teacher, you may find it helpful to make a temporary code permanent in cases like:

• You gave a one-time code to substitute teachers but want to keep using the kit with them
• You realize a kit you issued a temporary code for will be reused long-term
• You don’t want to have to keep generating new temporary codes every time you use a kit
• A student teacher created useful kits you’d like permanent access to

To switch a kit from a temporary code to permanent:

• Edit the kit settings and go to the Game Code section
• Click “Generate permanent code” – this will replace the temporary code
• The new permanent code will now always work until reset or deleted
• Share the updated permanent code with anyone who needs reused access

This provides a quick shortcut to get the convenience of indefinite code reuse!

Students converting temporary codes

Students can also switch their kits from temporary to permanent game codes:

• In the kit editing interface, go to Manage Access and Game Code
• Click “Generate permanent code” to replace the existing temporary code
• Share the new permanent code with your teacher and any classmates you want to collaborate with long-term
• Remember to delete old kits you aren’t actively updating so old codes don’t lead to outdated versions

Having at least a few permanent codes makes it much easier for students to iterate on kits across terms with reliable access.

When to retain temporary code access

While permanent codes are generally preferable, some situations still warrant temporary access:

• If you want to tightly limit a substitute teacher to single use of a kit
• When providing kits to teachers at other schools who you won’t collaborate with again
• For student teachers who will be leaving after the placement and shouldn’t have indefinite access
• When you want to group analytic data just for a specific usage window

Evaluate each case where you might share kit access to decide if permanent or temporary codes best meet the need!

Kit cloning considerations for code reuse

In addition to directly reusing permanent game codes, teachers can also leverage Gimkit’s cloning feature to efficiently reuse and customize kits with new codes.

Here is an overview of how kit cloning works and key use cases:

Cloning kit basics

Gimkit allows making direct copies of kits that retain most settings and content as clones.

To access the cloning option:

• Go to the kit management page
• Select the kit you want to clone
• Choose the “Clone” button next to the kit name

This will generate an identical copy of the kit that you can then edit.

By default, the clone gets assigned a new random game code.

Cloning advantages

Key benefits of cloning kits include:

• Faster than recreating kits from scratch
• Creates iterative versions of kits that can be tweaked
• Lets you spin up personalized variations for different classes
• Good for making modular copies focused on specific topics within larger kits
• Retains question data so you can observe changes over time

Overall, cloning streamlines the process of reusing and building upon existing kits.

Cloning use cases

Common use cases where cloning kits is helpful:

Iterating for a new term

Rather than modifying an existing kit directly, clone it and apply updates to the clone for the new term.

Customizing for different classes

Clone a general kit and then tailor the clone to the needs of specific classes.

Extracting portions for modular use

Clone a large kit but delete unneeded portions in the clone, like pruning away certain topics.

Backups before major changes

Clone an existing stable kit to preserve that version, then experiment on the original.

Student collaboration

Students can clone each other’s kits to jointly develop new versions.

In many situations, cloning can provide a quicker and safer route to kit reuse than fully manual resets.

Special considerations for public Gimkit kits

An additional factor around reusing Gimkit game codes is whether kits are private, shared only with specific students and teachers, or fully public. Public kit reuse involves unique dynamics.

Here are key considerations when reusing public Gimkit kits:

What are public Gimkit kits?

Rather than keeping kits private, Gimkit allows teachers and students to make kits “public” so anyone can access them.

Public kits can be searched, copied and played by anyone with the game code without needing login access.

This offers wider collaborative benefits but reduces content control.

Public kit use cases

Some examples where public kits make sense:

• Teachers creating kits to share with the broader Gimkit community.
• Student clubs making kits for recruiting events or public demonstrations.
• School subjects where pooled content benefits learning, like foreign languages.
• Teachers or students seeking feedback from peers outside their classes.
• Building awareness of your program through public kit access and remixing.

If privacy is not a concern, public kits enable excellent open education!

Risks of public kit access

While public kits allow great collaboration, risks to weigh include:

• Students can more easily cheat since kits are openly accessible.
• Reliance on login access and analytics is reduced with fully public kits.
• You lose editing control as anyone can duplicate and change content.
• Kits can accumulate versions and changes from third parties out of your control.
• Public sharing may not be suitable for kits using copyrighted content, like song lyrics.

Balance the tradeoffs based on the kit goals and level of outside involvement desired.

Managing permanent codes with public kits

With fully public kits, permanent game codes take on nuanced management needs:

• Take extra care to not overshare codes publicly unless you want fully open editing access.
• Monitor public kit analytics for unexpected spikes that could signal cheating or inappropriate use.
• Consider making public kits you want to retain editing control over “unlisted” instead so only those with the direct game link can access them.
• Weigh risks of external changes before linking student grades to public kit performance.

While public Gimkit use provides excellent open education benefits, permanent code management requires extra diligence to prevent loss of control or negative issues.

Scaling kit code management in teaching teams

For teachers using Gimkit kits extensively across multiple courses and term with team members, effectively scaling code management and access can pose challenges.

Summary

Reusing Gimkit permanent game codes offers significant time-saving advantages for teachers who use the same kits across multiple classes and terms. While creating new temporary single session codes is appropriate in some use cases, permanent codes should be the default for established kits.

With a thoughtful approach to security and access, teachers can focus on kit creation and instruction rather than memorizing new codes. Just be cautious when sharing permanent codes outside your classes.

Both teachers and students alike can employ smart strategies around code reuse versus generation. By understanding how Gimkit game codes function and when to refresh them, users can get the most benefit from this important Gimkit feature.

FAQs