Empowering Students Voice Using FlipGrid

What's FlipGrid and why should you use it?

Flipgrid is a free web-based video discussions platform used widely by educators and students. Why should you use Flipgrid? Well, why shouldn't you?

With FlipGrid, you can create any topic with specialized resources and attachments, students can share and discuss each other's videos, educators are 100% in control with video moderation and other settings, students can get creative with the powerful, easy-to-use recording tools using any device, anywhere!

How to set up a grid?

If you've never used Flipgrid before, here's a quick video tutorial on how to set up your first ever grid.

Suggestions on how to use Flipgrid in Teaching and Learning

1. Beginning of school or classmates introduction

• Use it to introduce yourself and students can talk about themselves; hobbies, favourite subjects and their goals.

2. Assessment for Learning 

• As an alternative mode to assess their learning on a certain topic, for example, explain about the types of volcanoes.

3. Exit Ticket or Reflection

• A fun and engaging way to record what they've learned at the end of the unit.

4. Tips Sharing 

• A quick and effective way to share tips on a particular topic, for example how to create a good story.

5. School Events 

    (Book Week, Science Week, National Day and many more)

• A great way to get the whole school or community involved by sharing their favourite book, experience or story related to the event going on in school.

You can find out more ideas on how to use FlipGrid by following @Flipgrid via twitter or explore the Disco Library (on your Educator Dashboard) where you can find and use topic templates which can then be customized for your class. 

Make your picture talks using Morfo and Hp Reveal (previously Aurasma)

Introduction

You've assigned each student an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to present during their show and tell session with parents and teachers. They are free to use any form of presentation mode that they like. They've chosen to create a booklet, mini-poster, drawing, models, diorama and some even created a Google Slides presentation. 

All these are great, but what about taking it up a notch? Why don't we augment the reality? How about making their drawing talk? Make Tutankhamun or Cleopatra speak about themselves?        

The tools or app

There are two apps needed for this project. Let's just call the finished product as "aura" to make it easier.

HPReveal (Previously Aurasma)

The first app is called HPReveal, previously known as Aurasma. Aurasma is an augmented reality site which allows you to see and interact with the world in a new way. With this tool, every image, object and even place can have its own aura. 

Auras can be as simple as a video and a link to a web page or as complex as a lifelike 3D animation. It can be installed both on IOS and Android device. However, for some technical reason, depending on the compatibility of your IOS device, it may not work properly once installed. 

Morfo

Morfo is a simple, fun and flexible IOS compatible app that can turn your friend's face, pets or objects into fun, life-like 3D characters. It can also make your friends say anything you want in a silly voice and many other fun features.

How to create your own auras? 

Check out my video tutorial on how to create your own auras.

Suggested use in classrooms

Where shall we start? The possibilities are endless! Imagine the fun they'll have creating it! A far cry from the usual 2D presentation mode such as poster or mind map. 

Use it to make famous or inspirational people (dead or alive) by talking about themselves. Make Tesla talks about himself and his achievement or a Spanish poet reciting his poem and translating it into English. 

How about creating an aura of a character from a book that describes herself instead of you doing it! Or in Math, a shape, say a triangle explaining its own properties. Sounds fun? Now, what are you waiting for? Go and create your first aura!