How can we as educators promote student engagement, self-expression, and collaboration? Our goal is to empower our students through engaging learning activities, while also giving them voice and choice. That’s where Flipgrid comes in. Let’s take a closer look at what this learning platform is all about!

What is Flipgrid?

Flipgrid is an empowering tool that is perfect for having your students express themselves creatively and share ideas with one another. While using Flipgrid, students can record their prompts and responses via video and even respond to one another’s videos. This digital tool can be used for weekly reflections, discussion groups, and to engage students in all subject areas from ELA to physical education.

Flipgrid is a free website that can be used as early as the pre-k level all the way through adulthood, and is an excellent collaboration tool for remote learning! Flipgrid also allows teachers to facilitate video discussions and message boards for students where questions can be asked and answered.

There are a number of benefits to using Flipgrid, but one of the primary ones is how willing students are to express themselves on an online platform using a camera-enabled device. Their level of honesty is truly amazing as they use this digital platform to share information that they might normally feel shy about sharing face-to-face with their peers, parents, or even teachers. Students can share their thinking and then others can learn from the recorded responses. The video and voice component also helps to build relationships amongst students and teaches them the importance of being respectful and aware of others on a digital platform as well as effective collaboration strategies.

Here are the steps for getting started with Flipgrid

1. Access the Flipgrid website and choose to Login or Signup

2. Educators: Login via Google, Microsoft, or create an account with an email or password. If you are brand new to Flipgrid you will be prompted to create one.

3. Students: Enter a Join Code or access a link that has been shared. Sign in with Google or Microsoft

Tips:

• Students and participants do not need accounts; they can enter the Join Code or use the one-step sign on.
• On the teacher’s side, navigate to your Topics or Groups, select Edit, select the Access Control section, and choose Private access (Student Emails, Student Usernames, or Guest Password) or public access to control how students will join Flipgrid.

Flipgrid website overview

Now, it’s time to explore the website. Once you are all logged in, you will see a number of options on your Flipgrid home page.

Discussion: You will see two sections here: Groups and Topics. Start a discussion by creating a Topic (this is your activity assignment) and organize your Topics using Groups (we like to think of Groups as classes). This is where you will probably spend most of your time creating content for students.

Discovery: Search for Topics created by the Flipgrid community to jumpstart discussions — think pre-made content!

Activity: This is a quick way to check progress and engagement across all Topics.

Mixtapes: Compile videos from any Grids to share responses. This could be great for student portfolios, end of year compilation, projects, read-alouds, etc.

Shorts: Record quick videos to share with students, families, and communities. This is something that is going to go beyond Topics. You can screen record, share directions, personalize messages, and more!

GridPals: Connect with other educators and classrooms to find new ideas.

Topic Creation: Once you are familiar with the Flipgrid website, you’ll want to start creating content for your students!

• Create new topic — be sure to include your Title, Prompt, Media, and Permissions
• Choose from “Essentials” such as topic moderation, commenting, recording time, and closed captioning
• You can select “More” and also choose to add additional attachments, which is always helpful for your students

As you can see, Flipgrid is fun and easy to use! Once Topics are created, students can now start recording videos and responding to one another!

We recommend taking the time to explore the Flipgrid website thoroughly and then sharing these tips with your students. Prepare to be amazed by the creativity and collaboration skills that your students will gain while using Flipgrid!

To learn more about Flipgrid, check out our Intro to Flipgrid course on the OTIS for educators platform.

For more tips, tricks, and tools for teaching in and out of the classroom, check out more articles on the Teq Talk blog.

We also offer virtual professional development, training, and remote learning support for educators with OTIS for educators. Explore the technology, tools, and strategies that can spark student success — no matter where teaching or learning are happening.