Flipgrid, Enjoy Learning with Fun!

Last week, my group member and I really enjoyed using Flipgrid. It was interesting and inspired everyone's imagination and creativity. Therefore, I want to share this online platform with you.😁

The website link is here or you can search for "Flipgrid" in application store.

💫Introduction

is a social learning platform for preschool education to doctoral study. Flipgrid provides a new possibility for teachers and students to use short videos and graphics for learning and communication. 

Each teacher can set up their own online group and publish theme discussions. Students can share their views by making short videos and the video content can be seen by the whole class. In addition, teachers can choose to open the functions (like and comment) , which can not only ensure the quality of the discussion, stimulate learning enthusiasm, but also ensure the teacher's control over the group content.

💫Flipgrid with Speaking and Listening

Meaningful communication is the main focus of language learning. According to Krashen (1982), exposing learners to understandable input, providing a safe and low-pressure learning environment, and stimulating students' motivation and self-confidence will ultimately affect students' language learning.

In China, English education is more exam oriented, that is, it pays more attention to reading and writing ability, but think less of listening and speaking skills. As a result, many Chinese students may speak "mute English". And they tend to worry about their speaking and listening comprehension.

Flipfird, in a sense, can be a way of resolving this kind of problem by focus on speaking and listening through making short videos.

💫Advantages

· Provide a low-pressure learning environment.

Firstly, students can replay the video about instructions of task and watch videos of other classmates whenever they need, so as to grasp the requirements more clearly. Secondly, students can edit or re redo the video for an unlimited number of times before uploading. Thirdly, if students are to shy to show their face in the video, they could choose to use the function of Flipgrid to cover their face as been shown in the picture. All of these contribute to set up a pressure-free learning and teaching environment.

(I made this gif myself, sorry if it is a little silly :) )

· Enhance confidence and autonomy.

Instead of focusing on accuracy, making videos in Flipgrid pays more attention on the fluency of speaking.   Students need not to worry about whether the usage of each word is authentic (accurate) or not. The most important things are to express themselves smoothly and let the audience understand their meaning, which reduce students' burden and anxiety and enhance their self-confidence.

Moreover, Flipgrid sets high value on autonomy of students by offering them free space for self development and self creation. They can give full play to their imagination and practical ability to complete video tasks.

· Track the process of progress

Students can listen to their voice and rethink if what they say make sense or can be improved next time. In the long run, Flipgrid could record the performance of students in the semester or a certain period of time. Students can compare with themselves in the past or in the future, so as to have a deeper understanding of their own progress or advantages and disadvantages.

💫Limitations

· Lack of immediate feedback

Students can not receive any immediate feedback when making videos, which may disturb some students.

· Miss the focus of tasks

Because Flipgrid's functions are diverse, some students may get lost in these effects and only focus on the functional diversity rather than the task content itself.

💫Conclusion

Flipgrid, as an online social platform, allows students to practice speaking and listening abilities in a low pressure environment. In the meanwhile, they can track their progress and enhance confidence and autonomy. Flipgrid could have a positive influence of students' language learning and make them more active to engage in teaching activity.

A recommend video about how to use Flipgrid. Hope you would find it useful.💪