This was posted by brian ham on September 15, 2019
Flipgrid is a social learning application that engages and empowers student voices in the classroom. This cross-platform tool is accessible on any device, but the mobile apps are particularly well-designed and easy to use. As long as there is internet access, students and teachers alike would have no problem using Flipgrid on their mobile devices for an entire class period. The “instagram” style of the app also taps into the social media culture that students are already well versed in, which helps to engage students by connecting to authentic “real-world” experiences.
With this app, learners can reflect, discuss and showcase what they are learning by creating short video responses to a question, topic, or comment. Educators create online meeting places, called “Grids” where they can post topics and other content. Students can then share their ideas, stories and work with the teacher and their classmates. Educators even have the ability to invite parents and other members of the school community to view or participate in the Grid.
There has been a big push to improve assessment in my school district in the last few years, especially in helping teachers to understand the differences between assessment for learning (formative) and assessment of learning (summative). Flipgrid helps educators to accomplish both of these goals in a few ways. A key function of the application for educators is the ability to create a rubric for the purpose of scoring student responses. With this functionality, students can see exactly what the teacher is looking for and it allows the teacher to input scores as they are watching the student’s video response. Teachers can also respond with feedback by text or video to further enhance student learning. Furthermore, Flipgrid integrates well with the Google Classroom LMS which is used in many districts. Teachers and students can sign up to the site using their Google credentials, allowing for ease of access and a pre-filled profile. Links to Grid topics can be shared by adding them to assignments in Google Classroom, or by embedding the topic directly on the Classroom page.
Example of it being used in Boston Public Schools
Other examples of Flipgrid being used by students
This news article speaks for the many diverse students at home: https://cfjctoday.com/2020/04/30/remote-learning-proves-challenging-for-some-students-beneficial-for-others/
For some students, this remote method of education has proven beneficial.
“We have a lot of students that suffer with anxiety and other issues that really make school hard for them,” Brady said. “What we’re noticing is some students are thriving. Now they’re in the comfort of their own homes and they’re using things like Flipgrid to be able to show they’re learning, when we wouldn’t have necessarily seen that if they were here in school.”
The dynamics for students at home have changed in that, they can use these tools and be themselves and hopefully engage more online. Flipgrid is a wonderful outlet for learning and is a video primary for those attached to that medium.