Michelle Alley & Jennifer Garcia

CUIN 6320 - Technology in Learning Environments

Dr. Bulent Dogan
April 29, 2019

Final Project 2 - New Technology Investigation

Overview/Technical Concept/Description

Flipgrid is the leading video discussion platform for millions of PreK to college level

students, educators at all levels, and families in over 180 countries (Flipgrid, n.d.). It allows one

to create a Grid community (#GridPals) for the classroom, a school, a PLC (Professional

Learning Community), families, and more (Flipgrid, n.d.). Each grid is like a message board

where teachers can pose questions, or “topics” and their students can post video responses that

appear in a tiled grid display. Grids can be shared with classes, small groups, or any collection

of users interested in a common strand of questions. Each grid can hold an unlimited number of

responses. Topics can be text based or include a resource such as an image, video, Giphy, emoji,

or attachment. Customizable security settings help protect student privacy (Powers, 2018). In

addition, students can respond via the application or website with any camera-enabled device.

Responses can be 15 seconds to 5 minutes long, and educators can set a minimum/maximum

recording time as well. Furthermore, teachers can allow students to record replies to classmates’

responses. Of course, all actions depend on the educator’s preference, as there are a variety of

moderation features teachers can turn on or off per topic (Powers, 2018).

How is it used in Professional Teaching and Learning?

Flipgrid offers a worthy, flexible venue for teachers and students to communicate during

and after school hours (Powers, 2018). Every student has a voice, so let’s amplify it. Students

are able to record short, authentic videos and can reply to peer’s videos (Flipgrid, n.d.).

Educators are 100% in control with video moderation, access controls, and in assisting with
creating back-to-school intros, booktalks, reflections, expert Q&As, showcase STEAM

ideas...the possibilities are endless for students to verbalize their learning (Flipgrid, n.d.).

Students share their voice anywhere by using any Surface, Chromebook, laptop, iPad, iPhone, or

Android device (Flipgrid, n.d.). Also, there are free Windows 10, iOS, and Android applications

available (Flipgrid, n.d.).

Students’ creativity flourishes with the powerful, easy-to-use recording tools that can

capture widescreen videos, pause while recording, add more after reviewing, edit, and trim to

perfection (Flipgrid, n.d.). Students are able to record from anywhere the perfect elevator pitch

or even a short presentation (Flipgrid, n.d.). Flipgrid can be a great way to gather student

responses delivered at their own pace without feeling “on the spot” in the classroom or directly

in front of their peers (Powers, 2018). Teachers, need ideas for a Flipgrid topic, then the

Discovery Library is the place to go. This is where educators share their best topics for a wide

range of ages and subjects (Flipgrid, n.d.). As stated by Powers (2018), “with any

communication tool, focus on creating a culture of respect by setting clear expectations in

advance.” Using proper internet etiquette, or Netiquette, is something all educators would need

to discuss up front with their students before introducing any new technology tool.

Pedagogical Value it brings to Professional Teaching and Learning

Flipgrid adds pedagogical value to the teaching and learning community through social

learning, creativity, communication, collaboration, and reflection. It extends learning beyond the

classroom. As an educator, you are the topic designer with specialized resources and

attachments to assist in creating back-to-school intros, booktalks, reflections, Q&As, enhancing

STEAM ideas and many others in which students are able to verbalize their learning (Flipgrid,

n.d.).
 In the language arts classroom, teachers aim to help students develop their voice in order

to communicate verbally what they have learned, especially with younger students and English

Language learners. Flipgrid can help increase their feelings of social connectedness and improve

academic performance. In middle school grades, students tend to be more sensitive to the

evaluations of their peers, this is where Flipgrid can assist with communication and collaboration

between peers. As the article states, “gaining confidence in self-expression and the respect of

others is important for this age group” (Language Arts: K12 Integration). Lastly, students in the

high school grades are more likely to already be using social media, and may feel uncomfortable

when first using Flipgrid, because the topics are likely different than what they voluntarily would

post on social media.

Additionally, when using Flipgrid for science, the teacher can ask students to compare

two resources on the same scientific topic, or maybe describe and study plants in their

environment. Whatever the topic may be, students can definitely work together to design and

create an original science experiment using Flipgrid.

Also, when it comes to social studies, students can make personal connections to a

historical book or even provide a summary about a person’s autobiography. The ideas are

endless, and students will be using an engaging tool that will surely benefit their academics.

Educators are 100% in control with video moderation, access controls, and much more (Flipgrid,

n.d.). Educators are also able to take their classroom global and connect with other educators to

set up a #GridPals collaboration for communication between classrooms (Flipgrid, n.d.). Check

out this amazing GridPals guide created by the first ever GridPal, Bonnie McClelland (Flipgrid,

n.d.).

Conclusion
 As Fahey & Moura (n.d.) explained, “using flipgrid isn’t about recording videos, it’s

about learning.” Learning that is social, personal, and that can happen anywhere at anytime.

Flipgrid is about making connections, having deep explorations, and it promotes that everyone is

a teacher and a leader. Using Flipgrid in the classroom can have many benefits for both teachers

and students, but most of all, it offers a worthy, flexible venue for teachers and students to

communicate. Overall, Flipgrid is a simple way for teachers and students to create online

discussions, offer reflections over things learned, and exemplifies the learning experience. There

are conditions, however, that your classroom culture be mature enough to use this tool to its

utmost potential in the educational way it is meant to be used. Happy learning and have fun

using Flipgrid.
 References

Fahey, S., & Moura, K. (n.d.). The Educator's Guide to Flipgrid 2nd Edition.

Flipgrid. Ignite Classroom Discussion. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://flipgrid.com/

https://static.flipgrid.com/docs/Flipgrid_k12_community.pdf

https://static.flipgrid.com/docs/Flipgrid_language_arts.pdf

https://static.flipgrid.com/docs/Flipgrid_science.pdf

https://static.flipgrid.com/docs/Flipgrid_social_studies.pdf

Johnson, Megan and Skarphol, Maia. (2018). The Effects of Digital Portfolios and Flipgrid on

Student Engagement and Communication in a Connected Learning Secondary Visual

Arts Classroom. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website:

https://sophia.stkate.edu/maed/270

McNeely, C., & Falci, C. (2004). School connectedness and the transition into and out of health‐

risk behavior among adolescents: A comparison of social belonging and teacher support.

Journal of School Health, 74(7), 284-292.

Powers, M. (2018, November). Flipgrid Review for Teachers. Retrieved from

https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/flipgrid

https://news.kleinisd.net/2018/08/09/flipgrid-fever-is-in-full-effect/