Flipgrid is a tool that is used to facilitate online discussions. It is a video discussion platform that allows students to raise their voice. Especially for those that are too shy to raise their hand.
Teachers create grids that can be used by students to share their ideas in the form of videos, or writings that can be shared in the classroom. In this blog, we will go into detail on what is Flipgrid? How can Flipgrid be used in the classroom? and Pricing of Flipgrid.
What is Flipgrid?
flipgrid is a learning platform that enables teachers to ask questions and students can respond through a video.
Students can send the videos to everyone in the classroom to prompt discussion among peers.
One of the biggest advantage of Flipgrid is that it is very easy to use. Teachers create an account which is then shared with students. This creates a community for students to work in. We will go into detail later on this blog on how to download and create grids on Flipgrid.
But essentially is a very easy to tool that primary one students can use it too.
Is Flipgrid free to use?
Yes, Flipgrid is free to use for students and teachers.
Flipgrid Features:
- Library : Educators share topics with students
- Videos : This is where students get to create their own videos and share with their friends. Using this tool teachers can also create back-to-school videos and reminders for students to stay safe in school especially during the pandemic.
- Privacy features : Flipgrid is safe for students to use because teachers get to monitor the conversation that happens between students on the platform/
- Camera option : This allow students to capture widescreen videos and pause when recoding a video.
- Any platform access : This feature allows students to share their videos using Surface, Chromebook, Laptop, iPhone, and Android devices.
What is Flipgrid used for?
Here are some examples on how Flipgrid have been used int he classroom :
- Maths : get students to scribble how to they came up to a solution to a problem
- Language : Get students to communicate with students in a different country
- Pre-writting : Get students to write their writing ideas. They can talk through the ideas. Teachers then can provide feedback on their idea. This is also a good way to keep students keep track of their thought processes.
- Science : Get students to ask questions directly from experts through the Guest Speaker feature.
In the section below we will go through in detail how you can incorporate Flipgrid into the classroom.
Dont forget….THE GROWTH MINDSET KIT aims at helping children realize how special they are
How to use Flipgrid in the classroom for students?
1.Book Reviews
Flipgrid has a new AR feature where users can scan a QR code and share their reviews on particular books they have read.
Students can even create a video interview of the book. The teachers can then print the QR code of student’s review and tape it on the book.
When another student want to read the book they can scan that QR code and watch what their friends have said about the book.
An innovative way to encourage students to read more books and review it.
2. Learn a new language
Using Flipgrid teachers can collaborate with teachers from different countries. This creates an opportunity for students to learn from a teacher in a different country.
Students can post questions they have in another language and get other teachers to take a look at it.
They can even communicate with other students from different parts of the world.
This is particularly fun for teachers who are teaching students a 2nd language. Using this feature teachers students get to engage with other students and teachers from different parts of the world.
They get to have conversations in the 2nd language they are learning and learn about the culture of that country.
3. Enhanced accessibility for all students
Flipgrid has expanded its features to ensure that no one is discriminated when using their app.
Students can add closed captioning and subtitles into their videos.
Microsoft’s Immersive Reader is used for adding text within a topic.
4.Guest Speakers
Flipgrid has a Guest Mode whereby teachers can invite speakers to join in the class discussion.
Gustes can watch videos made by students and even create their own.
It is a nice tool to introduce experts into the classroom and share their knowledge with students.
Using this feature students can also post questions to the guest speaker.
The guest speaker can either answer it directly and response to students at a convenient time using a video.
For example, teachers can invite IT expers, engineers, scientists and other professionals so students can ask questions to them about their job.
5. Create a portfolio
Students can showcase their skills and talent with their peers using Flipgrid.
For example, teachers can create a grid for each child.
Within the grid there are topics like skills, experiences, etc. Students then can fill in each topic and share it with their friends and even family.
This way even families can keep up to date with what their child is doing in school and measure their progress during the year.
Having access to other student’s progress can also motivate a child to want to improve their skills so they can fill in their progress grid.
6. Adding Notes
When students create a video they can either add subtitles or notes on the video.
Adding notes is a good feature where students can ask question on a particular lesson or chapter that they don’t understand.
Some teachers use this feature to understand a student’s thought process.
For example, when solving a maths equation students are asked to add notes on the video on how they derived to the answer.
7. Creating Mixtape
Mistape is a form of curated videos where children can combine videos from many different topics into a single list.
This can be a great way to combine student’s favourite videos.
The mixtape can be shared with the rest of the classroom.
For example, closer to exam time teachers can create a mixtape on topics should be focussing during the academic year.
Mixtape can also be used for sharing classroom memories. For instance, when a student has said something funnny, a video can be made and at the end of the year share with the class.
Mixtape is a great way to help students gather all the important topics into a single folder.
8. Absent students
This is a good tool for students who cannot attend school. They can catch up on things they have missed for that day.
For instance, they can catch up on assignements or any other topics that needs to be completed.
Teachers can also create a separate grid to remind students on homework that need to be completed or chapters they need to read at home.
9. Sharing information
Finally, Flipgrid is a great feature to help students share information with each other.
It is also good for doing group assignments.
For example, using the student-to-student reply option, everyone in the group can respond or view each other’s videos.
Others can comment on the work that is being done and provide feedback to their friends.
How to create grids on Flipgrid?
Think of grids like groups. You can create one for each class. You even have the option to make each grid ‘close’ or ‘global’. Here’s a few ways of creating grid :
- Using school email where students join using Microsofy or Google school mail
- Using student ID. You can create a list of IDs of students allowed to join.
- PLCs & Public where you share the Grid with everyone or create a “close” group where only limited people can join.
Privacy in Flipgrid:
Under each Grid, teachers can include a password. This means that only students with password can join the grid and view videos on that grid.
Also, to record a video, students will have to verify their email address.
Teachers can also choose if topics within each grid is moderated or not. It is highly recommended that all topics moderated to prevent any negativity being shared among students.
#flipgridfever:
This is a great community of educators on Twitter who are always willing to share ideas with other educators.
Teachers post how they use Flipgrid and support other educators who are trying to use Flipgrid. Be sure to check them out to maximise your Flipgrid usage and help students get the best experience of using Flipgrid.
We hope you have understood what is Flipgrid and how you can incorporate it into the classroom.
Before you go, don’t forget to check out the PERSONALISED growth-mindset kit you can use at home