Going into something like this blind, my team of library media specialist, art, music, PE, and science (me) had to find something that would allow us to add our lessons and find some way to assess and check for understanding. I stumbled upon flipgrid as I was searching. We quickly set up grids, for me was one grid(class) for each grade at each school. One first grade at school A, one first grade at school B. Then for each topic(lesson) I was able to place my lessons within each class. This is where the magic comes in...you can use it for any class. We each created our own grids, shared out the codes, and created a how to video for our families! Within one week, we were up and running and finding huge success!
What is Flipgrid?
Flipgrid is a web based social learning platform that allows teachers to pose questions to their learners, then the students can respond in a video to show what they know. Students can also respond to each other which allows for more understanding as well as discussion. Educators can also use a rubric to assess, as well as email students.
What is a grid vs. a topic?
I like to think of a grid as the title of a book. It is where you have your classroom of learners go to for the videos, lessons, and links. I use my grid as a way to set up each grade level I teach, "Jefferson Grade 1" and "Hewitt Grade 1". Two schools, two different grids. If you teach multiple courses you can create grids for reading, math, writing, science. In order to find your grids, students get a special URL for each specific grid. The grid code can be changed, a topic code can not.
A topic is like the chapters of a book. It is where your lessons are for your students. This is where you can upload your own videos, youtube videos, gifs, documents, google slides, boom decks and beyond. Students can also have the words that are typed out read to them within the topic. This is where they also respond with their own video and show their learning.
Ten BIG Reasons Why My Team All Chose To Use Flipgrid:
1. It's free with a gmail or Microsoft account
2. super easy to use
3. allows for all students to have a voice as they share their learning
4. teachers can respond through video, email, grading, note
5. they have a built in rubric
6. you can get ideas from thousands of lessons that easily upload to the grid of you choice
7. you can showcase amazing work
8. you can share the link and lessons on any site, some use google classroom, we linked on a google site
9. you can add links, videos, assessments, google activities, nearpod...you name it, it will connect
10. It reads to your learners to differentiate
Let me share with you how you can use flipgrid for science!
1. Use it to do a flipped lesson, where they watch your video, learn the background and vocabulary, then when they are with you they do the experiment or activity (it looks like we will have one week on and one week off with kids next year)...flipped lesson
2. Use it to have your lesson intro then have a digital assignment such as boom cards, google slides, or a digital game linked to reinforce what they are or will be learning the next time you meet
3. Use it to have them reinforce what they learned the week before, by showing you what they remember. They can connect their learning by also commenting on someone's post on flipgrid to advance their understanding.
4. Use it to have students record observations through taping their experiments
5. Use it to have students watch a video on youtube then share their understanding
6. Use flipgrid to draw and share an explanation of what they learned in the lesson done in or out of class
7. Use it to demonstrate and share a STEM project
8. Use it to share a picture they drew about their learning and how it connects to another lesson to review past learning
9. Use flipgrid to explain a scientific concept that will be used as an assessment with the built in rubric
10. Use flipgrid for students to post predictions before an experiment, then comment on after they find the results
11. Use it to encourage students to work together on projects that require several steps, such as collecting data, or in situations where students are doing something new, perfect for helping each other succeed or work as a group without having contact
Don't have time to make and prepare new lessons? No worries...Disco Library!
Not sure where to start with lessons? No problem. There are countless lessons all ready to go in all subject matters. When you sign up with Microsoft or Google it is free to teachers and students! Head over to the Disco Library for those lessons, ideas, and tips ready for you immediately! Need a bit more information before you try flipgrid? Here is there amazing guide (found here) that will GUIDE you to this free resource I flipped over!
Have fun with this free program. I can't imagine moving forward into the unknown of next year without it!
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