FlipGrid

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FlipGrid is a platform for users to share their thoughts via video in response to a prompt. To begin, teacher users must first create a FlipGrid, and once created, students can respond to it. To make a FlipGrid, teacher users will need to launch the FlipGrid website, register with it, and then log in. (Teacher users can make one FlipGrid for free. They will need to subscribe in order to make multiple FlipGrids.) Once logged in, teacher users will need to click the “+ New Grid” button to begin creating their FlipGrid. As they do, teacher users can add text and video to prompt their student users about the topic. In addition, teacher users can choose from a variety of settings when deciding how students will respond, such as password protection, inserting images, email notifications, and more.

Once they have created their FlipGrid, teacher users can share it with their student users by sending them the “Topic Link” address for their FlipGrid. (This link can be accessed after the FlipGrid is created by clicking the “Topic Actions” button, which becomes available after creating a FlipGrid.) Student users can then insert the “Topic Link” address into their browser and respond to the FlipGrid. As student users respond, teacher and student users will be able to view them. After creating a least one FlipGrid, teacher users can view student interactions with the analytics that are available under the “Dashboard” and “MyGrids” options. In addition, users can also view and respond to a variety of other FlipGrids by clicking the “Connections” option. When viewing these FlipGrids, users are able to respond to each other and view fellow users’ responses.

Instructional Ideas for FlipGrid

1. Teachers can have students read about a current event or a controversial topic from NewseumED, Newsela, or found online. Next, teachers can create a FlipGrid that summarizes the main points from the reading before asking students to respond by sharing their ideas. Students can then view their peers’ responses and comment back. To conclude the activity, teachers can have students journal a summary of their thoughts.
2. Instead of a full class discussion or having students respond to a discussion board prompt in text, teachers can create a FlipGrid and have students respond to it as an alternative.
3. Teachers can create an assignment where students must give a 90-second presentation. The assignment can be for students to create an advertisement, summarize information about a topic, recite a poem they wrote, or anything else that can be reasonably completed within 90 seconds. Once students post their presentation, their classmates can view and respond to it by stating what they liked and/or ideas for improving it.
4. Teachers can view and search the FlipGrids posted in the “Connections” section of the website and identify one that relates to their class. They can then share that FlipGrid with their students and have them view the introduction and responses before adding their own response to it. Teachers can complete this activity by having a discussion that summarizes the main ideas about that FlipGird and sharing their thoughts about those ideas.
5. As part of an assignment, teachers can let students make a FlipGrid and share it with their classmates. This assignment can be part of a student presentation or response to a reading. The main idea is for students to ask an open-ended question that engages their classmates and catalyzes a discussion.

Screenshots of FlipGrid