Warm, Asynchronous Discussion Tools

Typically, synchronous tools like Zoom have been reserved for voice and video conversations. But that has now changed! Tools like Flipgrid maintain the flexibility of discussion forums, which is so important to support the complex schedules of our online students, but also deliver the human touch.

Flipgrid

Flipgrid is an easy-to-use online and mobile application for asynchronous video conversations. It’s simple -- you record a video prompt and your students record video responses from their computer or the free mobile app.

Getting Started with Flipgrid

Flipgrid Canvas Integration (this requires you to have the ability to add LTI tools at the course level).

Flipgrid Demo (showing the student view)

Flipgrid Demo (student view in Canvas)

Example

With Flipgrid, you can use video for all kinds of assignments and formative assessments. Here are a few suggestions. With Flipgrid, students can:

Introduce themselves to one another.
Demonstrate how to do something (great for language classes) in a video
Find an example of something that relates to your course (a type of biological specimen, a type of architecture in their neighborhood) and introduce it by recording a video on their phone
Connect with students in other classes or even from opposite sides of the world!

Cost

A Flipgrid account is free for teachers and does not require students to have an account.

Accessibility

Auto-captioning is included in Flipgrid (accuracy varies) but needs to be enabled at the instructor/ admin level. Read about Flipgrid and accessibility.

Next.