Video Response App Updated with More Faculty Control

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 08/11/16

A company that flips the flipped model has updated its software. Flipgrid, created by a professor at the University of Minnesota and produced by Minneapolis-based Vidku, allows instructors to set up queries for students who respond by posting videos they've made of themselves.

Flipgrid was introduced in 2012 by Charles Miller, an associate professor in U Minnesota's LT Media Lab as a social mechanism to enable students to use video to discuss classroom topics.

The instructor sets up a "grid" for the classroom or a group on a learning management system, blog or website and then adds topics to get the discussion started. Students record and post videos to reply to the topic. Other students can view and respond to the videos.

Version 4.0 adds several new capabilities:

  • Cross-student posts. In previous editions of the program the teacher acted as the hub and all responses were posted to that individual. The new release allows students to respond directly to each other's posts, enabling peer-led discussions.
  • More teacher control and customization. Teachers have greater manipulation over the look and operation of their grids to reflect the specific environment in which they're working. They can also more tightly control the privacy and security settings of content in their grids.
  • Support for high resolution video. The latest version doubles the video quality across platforms.
  • Basic data reporting. Teachers can measure the engagement level of students through "simple" data visualizations to test and compare approaches for maximum participation.

"With Flipgrid, we are committed to helping educators fuel active learning with video to ensure all students have an equal voice," said Miller in a prepared statement. "Our goal for the upgraded design is to continue to foster what our users love most about Flipgrid — its simplicity — while adding new features to drive discussion and empower students to participate in the active learning process."

Versions of Flipgrid for students are freely available for browsers, iOS and Android.

The software has been used by faculty members at Penn State University, Doane U in Nebraska and Rutgers in New Jersey, among others.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • From Fire TV to Signage Stick: University of Utah's Digital Signage Evolution

    Jake Sorensen, who oversees sponsorship and advertising and Student Media in Auxiliary Business Development at the University of Utah, has navigated the digital signage landscape for nearly 15 years. He was managing hundreds of devices on campus that were incompatible with digital signage requirements and needed a solution that was reliable and lowered labor costs. The Amazon Signage Stick, specifically engineered for digital signage applications, gave him the stability and design functionality the University of Utah needed, along with the assurance of long-term support.

  • cybersecurity analyst in a modern operations center monitors multiple digital screens showing padlock icons, graphs, and a global map with security markers

    Louisiana State University Doubles Down on Larger Student-Run SOC

    In an effort to provide students with increased access to real-world cybersecurity experience, Louisiana State University has expanded its relationship with cybersecurity solutions provider TekStream to launch TigerSOC, a new student-run security operations center.

  • flowing lines and geometric shapes representing data flow and analysis

    Complete College America Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), with the goal of helping higher education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes.

  • geometric pattern features abstract icons of a dollar sign, graduation cap, and document

    Maricopa Community Colleges Adopts Platform to Combat Student Application Fraud

    In an effort to secure its admissions and financial processes, Maricopa Community Colleges has partnered with A.M. Simpkins and Associates (AMSA) to implement the company's S.A.F.E (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) across the district's 10 institutions.