Flipgrid is this incredible, free, web based service that allows teachers and students to make video responses to just about anything. Think of the possibilities- video responses to the conflict in a book, explaining math problems, doing science experiments at home, complete to playing games and having a little fun too! Don’t worry lessons are premade and ready to use today, which is why I do flips for Flipgrid!
Jumping Right In!
Flipgrid is one of the best tools because it is so easy to use! It is user friendly even for the youngest learners. On the teacher end you begin simply by setting up an educator account. Sign in with Google or Microsoft to make the sign in process even more seamless. That’s it.
Super simple. Next step, create some groups. If you have only one group of students, then you only need to do this once, but if you do teach more than one group, you can make as many groups as you need. You will see there is an option for a Group Name and a Group Join Code. The Join Code is one of the ways your students will join your class in Flipgrid, similar to Google Classroom, but here you can choose the code you want to use. Permissions are next. You can be private or public. Upload your students via Google Classroom, student email or a student username. In the public view, students join with a link that you supply them and then sign in with their email address. For elementary students, the Google Classroom link is probably the simplest!
Then you have features, allowing students to receive emails and keeping the group active or hidden! Lastly, you get to personalize! Choose one of the awesome designs available or upload your own to personalize your Flipgrid group!
Discovery
Your account is set up and your groups are ready, so what’s next? Discovery, of course! Those premade lessons that are ready and available to use immediately can be found under Discovery at the top of the website. Remember, super easy to use. Under Discovery, you can begin exploring all of the options available to you and your students. Most teachers will recommend using a simple activity for the first time using Flipgrid to get the students comfortable with the format and then the possibilities are endless. Flipgrid automatically includes a “Hello” prompt in all new groups as an easy first task, but completely up to you to use it or ignore it! Some other options for easy to use first lessons are, “What’s in your Backpack?” or “Would you Rather Questions.” Under each possible assignment, there will be directions on how you can possibly use it with your students. Again, no brainer- the work is done for you! Within Discovery there is also a search option to narrow down the topics to just your subject area or grade level to make finding what you want much simpler.
Another really important item to note is that although you may be taking another educator’s shared assignment, they are all completely editable and you can personalize it to your needs with ease! Of course there is an option to completely create your own prompt as well! Another great feature is having the prompt read to our younger students that may struggle reading the directions on their own. Just look for the blue circle with the book and megaphone to have the directions read aloud!
Update Topic
You have chosen your topic and are ready to get the students engaged in Flipgrid, but there are a few other options to pay attention to first! Another cool aspect of Flipgrid is you can turn on “Moderation,” which means you can watch the videos before allowing other classmates to view them. You don’t ever have to allow othe classmates to view them, if that is what you choose either. Other options include turning commenting on, closed captions, and changing the amount of time students have to record.
You can add attachments with resources that would help them complete the activities also. There are options to set up a Flipgrid to become active at a certain time and some notification settings to choose from also. Besides all of that, there are a bunch of options for “Video Features” including allowing students to turn on “Likes,” use sticky notes, and edit their videos. Last option is all about grading. You can choose to add specific rubrics to grade the videos or you can use the basic rubric already provided by Flipgrid! Looking for a fun way for students to reflect on the year using Flipgrid? Check out this engaging reflection activity below!
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A Few More Options
Across the top where you find “Discovery” there are few other options to choose from too. “Activity” will be where all of your data is compiled for you. It can be a quick glance to see what you and your students have done so far!
“Mixtapes” is a feature that allows you to take multiple responses and create on video all together! Think about student portfolios or digital conferences. This could be a great opportunity to use this feature! “Shorts” is an opportunity for you to record yourself for the students! You can share the video once it is done on Google Classroom or Remind or anywhere via a link. You can record a lesson, a hello, directions, and anything else you can think of that may require a video!
Ever wanted to connect with another classroom across the United States or even in another country? That’s where “Gridpals” comes into play. Connect with another teacher and their students via Flipgrid. Students can respond to each other and you can collaborate with fellow educators! This is an option and you can easily be hidden from the community or Active- completely up to you!
More to Know!
Flipgrid is changing the landscape of learning for students. Students today love videos, selfies, and social media type “likes” and more. Flipgrid incorporates all of those things and more. Students can record themselves, edit, add stickers, take selfies, and be proud of their accomplishments. There are even options for guest speakers in “Guest Mode.” There is so much to use in Flipgrid. Take some time and explore! The help guides, blog, and videos are also incredibly helpful and easy to navigate! There is even professional development!
Flipgrid can be used in so many different ways in all subject areas. Think book talks, getting to know you activities, goal setting, explaining math problems, responding to current events, portfolios, music or art performances or even virtual field trips!
I hope you enjoyed learning just some of the AMAZING features Flipgrid has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list! Not only will you get the most up to date tips, tricks, and classroom projects… and of course more fun FREEBIES including End of the Year Flipgrid Reflection FREEBIE! You will also have exclusive access to tons of digital how-to videos! If you would like to learn about this and other things happening in my classroom follow me @sweetnsauerfirsties on Instagram.
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