I'm introducing @flipgrid to my 5th graders tomorrow.
— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) April 13, 2014
When it was quickly followed by these, I knew what my next site to explore would be.
@MrSchuReads @flipgrid Very popular, very hot!
— Heather Moorefield (@actinginthelib) April 13, 2014
@MrSchuReads @actinginthelib We have been having a great time using @flipgrid :) Your kids will love it, John.
— Shannon Miller (@shannonmmiller) April 13, 2014
@actinginthelib Thanks for the kind words! We love working on Flipgrid with Ts and Ss. Lots of exciting things in the works...
— Flipgrid (@flipgrid) April 13, 2014
@shannonmmiller @MrSchuReads @actinginthelib @flipgrid agreed! It's a fun tool to use--be prepared for giggles! :) #tlchat
— Sherry Gick (@LibraryFanatic) April 14, 2014
According to information at the home page, Flipgrid is a means for teachers to generate grids of short discussion-style questions. Students reply to those questions through video. Everyone can share the videos.
Each grid is composed of any group with a common element with an unlimited number of questions and unlimited number of responses per query available. The cost is $65.00 per year for the teacher which includes ten grids. There is a twenty-one day trial period available. Students do not pay or register.
Communication with students is done via email. They can create a snapshot photo with fun filters prior to recording their video using their device's (computer and iPad currently) webcam. Videos are ninety seconds long. The privacy and sharing is dictated by the administrator (teacher).
In the upper right-hand corner you can Get Started, read the informative FAQ, log in as the administrator or complete a form to contact the Flipgrid team. A new window overlays the home page when Get Started is selected. You need to specify the type of educational institution.
After choosing Next Step, the new screen explains the pricing. For the purpose of this post, I choose Demo. When the form is completed, the terms of service read and the final green bar is clicked, an activation email is sent to get your account started. You are asked to create a password.
When you log in for the first time, a beginning tutorial appears on the screen over your home page. Upon closing this, across the top of your page, you see that this video can be accessed again. You can alter your account settings and logout. A tally is kept of all your grids and the interactions.
To make a grid move down the screen, choosing the blue + Add Grid button. At this time you would name your grid and assign a password if it is not made public. There are three other options for viewing; moderate a video response before it can be viewed, making the grid active when it is submitted and notification when a video is available. Finally click the Add New Grid button.
A new screen pops up advising you about how to add a question, the URL link for this particular grid, and which icon to select for sharing your grid. You can see how the list of your grids has now changed. Your grid title is shown (1), you can change the color scheme of your grid (2), the number of questions on your grid (3), the date your grid was created (4), whether it is active (5), whether you are notified when videos are added (6), and icons for actions you can take with this grid (7). The actions are a URL link for sharing, changing and adding security (per third image below), changing the title of your grid or deleting your grid.
You can see how each question is moderated; question, date, last response, number of responses and views, whether it is active, and the ability to share, edit or delete it. When the blue Add New Question button is chosen, you type it in on a new window. Your text can be in bold or italics, you can change the date and decide to make it active or not. Each new question appears at the top of the list. You can drag them to alter the order. Each question has a unique URL link. (I did not allow this to create more security, preferring videos not to be shown on social media.)
By clicking on the URL link for the entire grid, video replies can be made for one or more of the questions. To answer a question, click on it. At the next screen click on the big white plus sign. You are then asked if you are 13 years or older or have a parent, guardian or teacher present with you when you record. When making a video you must also first agree to the terms of service shown.
You need to go through a few steps to check the operation of your webcam and microphone along with making a thumbnail photo. When these are completed click Looks Good. You then can record your answer. If you are not satisfied with the video you can re-record. Upon finishing click on Continue.
Here is the link to my grid titled The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat. Here is the link to my response to one of the questions. (The one take rule is a hoot tonight.) Please feel free to video your own responses to test out the site. As an added note, if you want to see your questions, click on the grid title. If you want to see responses to those questions, click on the question.
No wonder this website has been honored in three Weebly categories! It is so much fun to use and easy too. Two big pluses are the non-registration of students and the ability to control security measures. I highly recommend Flipgrid for interactive teaching and learning.
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