Website review by Melissa Powers, Common Sense Education | Updated March 2021
Flipgrid
Common Sense Selection
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Flipgrid

Pose questions, spark thoughtful video responses with stellar tool

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Learning rating
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Community rating
Based on 30 reviews
Privacy rating
82%| Pass Expert evaluation by Common Sense
Grades
K–12
Subjects & Skills
English Language Arts, Communication & Collaboration, Character & SEL, Critical Thinking
Great for
Media Literacy, Social Media, Assessment, Formative Assessment, Presentation
Price:  Free
Platforms:  Website
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Take a look inside

8 images
To participate on Flipgrid, click Record a Response to record your own video, or click on the tile of a published response to view and respond to other participants' videos.
When recording your video, you can add filters, stickers, text, annotations, and frames. You can also choose to record a split screen or with video muted (mic only).
On the teacher dashboard, teachers can create and edit groups, topics, and responses. Teachers can also use moderation features and give individual feedback via text or video.
Share discussion topics with a QR code or link or through Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams.
Use the basic rubric or customize your own to give students feedback on their videos.
Use the Shorts feature to record videos or screencasts to share with anyone. Shorts are one-way videos, with no discussion or feedback features. They're great for sending instructions or lessons to remote students.
The immersive screen reader is one of several top-quality accessibility features designed to help all students use Flipgrid successfully.
Educators have access to the Discovery library, which includes topics developed by other educators, corporate partners, and nonprofit organizations.

Pros: Customizable video responses push students to plan their responses and speak thoughtfully.

Cons: The social media-style features that make Flipgrid fun can also distract students from the purpose of the assignment.

Bottom Line: This accessible, approachable tool offers connection, multiple means of expression, and creativity to apply to almost any topic.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Because of Flipgrid's asynchronous nature, it's a great tool for every learning situation, from remote learning, to BYOD classrooms, to classrooms with fewer devices than students. Try using Flipgrid to further classroom conversations by assigning questions as homework assignments, and then continue the conversation in class the next day. Ask students to weigh in on a critical current event for a social studies or civics class, or use Flipgrid in a math class to ask students to describe the process they used to solve a complex problem. You might also use Flipgrid as an opportunity for students to post reviews of books, movies, games, or TV shows. At the end of a unit, ask students to reflect on what they've learned.

If you want to create a video for students to view but don't want or need to collect video responses, check out the simple Shorts tool. Use the Flipgrid software to quickly record a video or screenshare, and then send it to your students with a link. The Flipgrid AR feature is another useful tool. From the teacher dashboard, you can print QR codes that link to each response. You can post these QR codes in a student art gallery or at a parent open house to share student videos. Participants must use the Flipgrid website or app to view the videos. You can also use the app to collect video responses from students and guests. 

Teachers should be clear about their expectations so that students don't waste time trying to make a perfect presentation if an informal response is all that's desired. Use the rubric to be clear about what you want to see. Also, some kids may be anxious about being on camera; it's challenging enough to answer a question when called on in class, but for some, formulating a video answer may be more agonizing than it's worth. Students can also record "mic-only" videos or cover their image with digital stickers. As with any communication tool, focus on creating a culture of respect by setting clear expectations in advance. For more ideas, check out the Flipgrid blog and Twitter feed, which are full of great tips for using Flipgrid in your classroom. Or search the Discovery Library to discover topics in any subject shared by teachers around the world and corporate partners. Flipgrid also offers free educator training and badges.

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Put this tool into practice:
Standards:

Flipgrid is a website and app that allows teachers to facilitate video discussions. Students are organized into groups and then given access to discussion topics. The topic space serves as an interactive message board where teachers can pose questions and students can post video responses that appear in a tiled grid display. Guests can also be invited to participate with a link and a password. Customizable security settings help protect student privacy. A variety of filters and tools allow for text, stickers, screen recording, and other possibilities. Via the immersive reading feature, students can see closed captioning and translations, too.

Users can participate on Flipgrid via the app or the website with any camera-enabled device or by uploading a previously recorded video. Responses can be 15 seconds to 10 minutes, and teachers can determine a maximum recording time. Teachers can also allow students to record replies to classmates' responses. There are a variety of moderation features you can turn on or off per topic. The CoPilot feature allows more than one teacher to be a group moderator. Teachers have access to a help center and two active teacher communities: Discovery Library for sharing topic templates, and GridPals for connecting with educators and classrooms around the world. Do note that some users report difficulty in uploading videos via the Android app.

Flipgrid offers a streamlined, flexible venue for teachers and students to communicate. Students can learn to articulate ideas with well-planned responses and consider alternative viewpoints as they listen to their peers' responses. It's a great way to gather students' responses at their pace without kids feeling "on the spot" in the classroom. Students can take advantage of the "sticky note" on the recording screen to type a short outline or key points before they start recording. Pause, trim, and re-record buttons can help students record their best effort. The customizable built-in rubrics are a great way for teachers to set expectations and provide feedback on student videos. 

Because of its flexibility, Flipgrid gives students options around how they want to demonstrate learning, which can lead to more effective assessment and student engagement. And all of the accessibility features allow every student a voice. If teachers aren't sure where to begin or how to use it effectively, there are a ton of ready-made topics in the Discovery area. Plus, it can give a window into a student's thinking that an exit ticket or quiz might not. When used purposefully, Flipgrid is easy to use, extremely useful -- and fun.

Overall Rating
Engagement

Seeing and hearing students' video responses can make discourse fun as personalities and ideas shine. Design is approachable and intuitive.

Pedagogy

Depth and breadth of potential topics is huge. Students can jump right in to the discussion and even attach links to support their video statements. Teachers have lots of options to fit their classroom needs.

Support

From automatic closed captioning to an immersive screen reader, accessibility features are top-notch. Extensive teacher resources make it easy to integrate the tool into classrooms in nearly any subject area.

Common Sense reviewer
Melissa Powers Media specialist/librarian
See how we rate and review

Key Standards Supported

Speaking & Listening

  • SL.K.1

    Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

  • SL.K.4

    Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.

  • SL.K.6

    Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.

  • SL.1.1

    Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

  • SL.1.4

    Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.

  • SL.2.1

    Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

  • SL.2.4

    Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.

  • SL.2.5

    Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

  • SL.3.1

    Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

  • SL.3.4

    Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.

  • SL.3.5

    Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details.

  • SL.4.1

    Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

  • SL.4.4

    Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

  • SL.5.1

    Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

  • SL.5.4

    Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

  • SL.6.1

    Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

  • SL.6.4

    Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

  • SL.7.1

    Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

  • SL.7.1c

    Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed.

  • SL.7.4

    Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

  • SL.8.1

    Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

  • SL.8.1c

    Pose questions that connect the ideas of several speakers and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant evidence, observations, and ideas.

  • SL.8.4

    Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

  • SL.9-10.1

    Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

  • SL.9-10.1c

    Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.

  • SL.9-10.4

    Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.

  • SL.11-12.1

    Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

  • SL.11-12.1c

    Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives.

  • SL.11-12.4

    Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.

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Community Rating

(See all 30 reviews) (30 reviews) Write a review
Featured review by
Abbey R. , Classroom teacher
Classroom teacher
Great way to hear student voices!
I really enjoy this tool. It gives the students that do not like to share in the whole class setting an opportunity to share with their classmates on their own terms. If they do not like their first video, they can redo it as many times as they want until they are happy with it. In some instances, I have the students write down a script before they start their video. This makes the students accountable for what they say and not including subjects that are off topic. I do have students that will go off t ...
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Data Safety
How safe is this product?
Users can interact with trusted users and/or students.
Users can interact with untrusted users, including strangers and/or adults.
Profile information is shared for social interactions.
Data Rights
What rights do I have to the data?
Users can create or upload content.
Users retain ownership of their data.
Processes to access and review user data are available.
Ads & Tracking
Are there advertisements or tracking?
Data are not shared for third-party advertising and/or marketing.
Traditional or contextual advertisements are not displayed.
Behavioral or targeted advertising is not displayed.

Continue reading about this tool's privacy practices, including data collection, sharing, and security.

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