I was introduced to Flipgrid by a colleague who is passionate about all things digital.
Flipgrid is a free, education-focused platform that allows the user to create and share short videos created by teachers and students.
I was so excited about this digital learning tool that I completed Flipgrid Certified Level 1.
"Common Sense Education" states that;
Flipgrid is a website that allows teachers to create "grids" to facilitate video discussions. Each grid is like a message board where teachers can pose questions, called "topics," and their students can post video responses that appear in a tiled grid display.
When I initially used Flipgrid I was really only using it at a very surface level. In other words I was only using it to video a message to share with students.
With the first lockdown beginning on the 20 March, the Alert Level was moved to Level 4, putting the country into a nationwide lockdown. The Alert Level was moved down to Level 2 on 13 May.
And recently we went into our second lockdown.
During the first four weeks of home learning I created a few short videos and shared this will all students. Some were simply just saying hello while others involved experimenting with a few of the tools linked to Flipgrid like, Screen share, adding text and uploading photos.
Reflecting on those four weeks I knew that I was not utilizing this tool as it was meant to be used.
As we headed into our second lockdown it was my aim to engage students utilizing the Flipgrid tool. I wanted to hear from as many students and provide them a platform to easily make their thinking visible.
Using our "Water" theme I decided to video a science experiment - "Walking Water" and created a Flipgrid Discovery Topic.
After viewing my Flipgrid students were then asked to have a go and:
💥 Predict what might happen when they placed a folded paper towel between 2 glasses, one filled with water.
🗣️ Share the results they came up with on Flipgrid.
This Discovery Topic highlighted how Flipgrid empowers our learners. Flipgrid provides a system that allows students to explain or show their learning using video. Their response is placed in a grid which can be accessed by the teacher and other students at the creators discretion.
I quickly realised that I could provide video feedback and respond to their Flipgrid which enabled the students to reflect, take further action and deeper their learning and thinking.
Here is an example of one my feedback.
This in itself is powerful for teachers. Teachers can collate this information about their students understanding, oral language and learning growth.
Through Flipgrid I heard from students who are generally very shy and do not speak in class due to language barriers (many of our students have English as their second language), speech impediments or lack of confidence.
Using Flipgrid has certainly opened my eyes to the range of opportunities that we can provide for our students such as:
# Collaboration (within the class, across the school, globally)
# Oral Language
# Sharing and celebrating work
# Providing feedback
Flipgrid has changed how we share with one another. It provides students the opportunity to share their ideas, have a voice and to build their confidence in a creative and safe platform.
I highly recommend this tool.
If you are interested in signing up for a free Educator Flipgrid account please use this link.
