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!

Creative Video-making using WeVideo

Looking for a video editor that is easy-to-use? Editable everywhere online and lets you start on one device and then pick up where you left on another? Collaborate with others for the ultimate sharing experience? Sparks creativity with graphics, green screen, special effects, speed control and much more? Well, look no further as WeVideo has all these features. 


The possibilities of this online video editor are endless. To name a few, students can create a read-aloud online storybook, newscasting, talk show,  advertisement, and a step-by-step tutorial. In this post, I will show you how to create a simple video using some of the features like graphics, green screen, sound effects and much more. 

Getting started with WeVideo

Sign up to WeVideo and choose a plan that suits you.





Creating a simple video using Storyboard (beginners) mode. You can change into Timeline mode for advanced editing.


Click this link for more WeVideo tutorials.

Get Creative with WeVideo

Video Tutorial on how to edit in Timeline mode using graphics, sound effects and much more.

Video tutorial on how to use green screen effect. 





Example of video created with WeVideo:
Read Aloud book with voice over and sound effect.

Another example of a video I've created with WeVideo where I used green screen effect, graphics and background music for my Google Trainer application video.

Now that you've seen the endless possibilities of WeVideo, why not try it out in your classroom? Have a creative week ahead.

  





   

Creating Online Storybooks using Google Slides

Google slides can go beyond a mere presentation tool with words or probably with some relevant images to go with it. It could also be engaging, interactive and even collaborative.

There are many possible ways of using Google Slides in the classroom, but today I'll be focusing on using it creatively by creating an online storybook with Google Slides.  

So, how do we do it?