As I explored tech
resources this week, I came across many programs that were new to me and could
be beneficial to implement in a classroom setting. After discussing a few of my
top picks with middle school teachers, I decided to focus on Flipgrid. The teachers I spoke to have had positive
experiences with Flipgrid and have had successful student participation. Flip grid is also easy to integrate with Google’s
G Suite, specifically Google Classroom. Students as young as kindergarteners have used the program. So let’s take a deeper look into
Flipgrid and see if it is as great as I have heard it to be.
Flipgrid is a video discussion platform that is of no cost and is a fun engaging way to encourage student participation with teacher lead discussion prompts. It is a tool to foster a community of learning, help your students get to know one another and encourage each other. In today’s pandemic environment and lack of live interaction between students and teachers, Flipgrid is a way to enhance a feeling of community and increase social learning.
How do I use Flipgrid?
To access Flipgrid
simply visit their website and begin setting up your account. It is simple and
takes only a few minutes. Follow theses steps and you will be on your way.
#1. Set up an account at
#2. Select Educator Sign up and sign up through Google
or Microsoft.
#3. Set up your topic and post a discussion prompt. If you need suggestions, Flipgrid offers access
to a Discovery Library for topic ideas.
#4. Add your introduction video and any information
you want your students to review prior to responding such as a website link or
educational video.
#5. Set Response Time. You can select a time range of 15 seconds to
10 minutes. I recommend a minute and a
half to three minutes.
#6. Topic Moderation. I suggest that you set up the moderator
setting so that you preview student postings before they become live. Once you
know they are suitable for publication you can make them viewable for fellow
students.
#7. Ensure your access control is set to private so
only your learning community has access.
#8. Share code and link with your community. You
can create a student list and email them. Or you can share via Google Classroom,
Microsoft Teams, or Remind.
#9. Learners then access Flipgrid via Google
Classroom (or other shared method), the Flipgrid App (with code), or via direct
grid link and they can sign in via their Google or Microsoft account.
Example of use in Google
Classroom
#10. Students respond with video recordings.
The first video below is a brief description of how teachers can get started with Flipgrid. The second video is designed to help students understand the platform.
Recording videos are fun!
Recording on Flipgrid is
easy and self-explanatory resembling a social media account with the fun features that are offered. Students can record with filters, scenes,
frames, text, emojis, a whiteboard, draw, upload images and videos. They can also record what is on their screens displaying web tabs or documents on their devices. These options offer a
means for creativity, but students can produce a simple
recording of themselves and their responses. They can record, review, and even rerecord,
before they submit their response to ensure they are happy with their video. The
most important thing for students is to remember to thoroughly answer the given
prompt in the time allowed.
Example of features added into a recording
Resources for using
Flipgrid
I suggest checking out the following resources to help you better understand how to use Flipgrid. My best recommendation is to create an account and have fun exploring all the features that are offered and run some test recordings. Then set up a class and have students provide you with feedback on the program.
Tutorials you may find helpful
Flipgrid Tutorial for Teachers
Flipgrid 2020 update by New EdTech Classroom
Excellent tutorial for using recording features
Student Tutorial accessing Flipgrid via Google Classroom
Postings on the Web to review
9 New Ways to use Flipgrid in the classroom
Amazing list of 50 ways to use Flipgrid in classrooms
5 Ways
I plan to integrate Flipgrid
#1. Book clubs: As our book clubs
are virtual and not all students can attend at one time due to scheduling conflicts,
Flipgrid offers a way for students to respond to teacher lead prompts as well
as classmates’ responses and questions on their own time frames. Through video
recordings students can get to know one another and share their enthusiasm for
reading.
#2. Book reviews: I would like
to have students produce book reviews upon completing a novel in the hopes of
increasing student interest in reading. I could post to the library website
with parent permission. I would also like to take a suggestion from Edutopia.org
and use the video QR code for students to share reviews, the QR code could be
printed and taped in a book for students to view using devices such as a phone.
#3. As a warmup
tool: I would like
to use Flipgrid as a warmup prior to a lesson such as “Tell me about your
favorite book genre and why you love it in under 60 seconds”. This will help me get to know my students and
what type of reading they enjoy.
#4. For an
exit slip: Flipgrid can be used as an assessment to see
what the students retained from a lesson. For example, I could set the prompt as “Tell me three thing you learned
today about SC Discus and what database you think you would use the most”. This would help me to understand if my lesson
provided them with the proper knowledge on how to access and use Discus.
#5. As an
assessment tool: At
the conclusion of a lesson such as a book tasting activity. I could have
students share what they learned about the different genres available. I could assess
if my descriptions and examples provided were successful. I could also have
students post an inquiry question and have peers find an answer. For example, A
student could pose the prompt “What do you think makes for a great mystery
novel?” Students could express their
views on what they like about this genre and titles they find intriguing.
Additional
Bonus to using Flipgrid.
Students can share what they have learned via a new context. They can creatively and expressively engage in learning. Their excitement and uneasiness on subject matter can come through helping the teacher determine what their students need to succeed. Students can take the opportunity to provide positive feedback and encouragement to one another. Work can be submitted at times that aligh with their schedules as all students do not need to participate synchronously. Flipgrid is also a good outlet for those who find writing or reading difficult. Close caption is available as well as the use of immersive reader.
A
digital tool for Teaching and Learning
Flipgrid demonstrates
qualities of a digital tool that aligns with the American Association of School
Librarian (AASL) expectations and standards. Flipgrid is user-friendly, encourages
creativity, requires active participation, and encourages exploration of a new tech
resource. Some examples of how Flipgrid supports AASL shared
foundations are as follows;
Inquiry: Students are provided a prompt they must
think about and design a reaction based on prior knowledge and inquiry. They then share their response with peers via
their recordings and can grow by learning from the shared responses of others.
Engage: While students are working virtually
and asynchronously, Flipgrid offers an opportunity to engage with one another in
a “face to face” interaction. Students
can comment on each other’s posts to offer feedback, ask questions, and engage in
conversation to inspire others. Students can grow by using new technology responsibly
and implementing digital etiquette.
Include: Students can use Flipgrid to
respectively communicate with others and to listen to fellow students who views
may differ from their own. They can learn
to express opinions verbally to effectively communicate in a manner which is
politically correct and nonabrasive. Students can grow from learning about other
experiences. For example, a book club
prompt could ask students to make connections to characters or to a political
stance mention in the novel and this would provide an opportunity for students
to listen to and respond respectively to varying points of view.
Flipgrid is full of quality content and quality reasons to implement it in your classroom. I could go on and on, but I think you have plenty of reasons to check it out for yourself. So open up a new tab set for Flipgrid and begin today.
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