How can we make learning meaningful and transformative for the "selfie generation"?

This Tuesday's EdTech Sandbox Tech Tip is focused on the subject of how video discussion platforms such as Flipgrid can help enhance or transform the learning experience for students and build a learning community.  Specifically, I would like to share a few examples of how our staff are currently integrating Flipgrid and helping their students reach new levels of growth. 

First, check out the Flipgrid overview video and attempt to reimagine a future lesson in your classroom. 

I was lucky to catch up with two of our colleagues this past week who use Flipgrid in their classroom. 

Clay McAllister, Social Studies 
Watch Clay share why and how he selected Flipgrid to help his students master essential understandings in a authentic way in his AP United States History class. I'm inspired by his risk-taking and the outstanding work by his students. Watch these scholars act out their historical characters through an investigation of primary sources!  

Tricia Donley, ELA 

Our ELA department is on the cutting edge of technology integration. I always admire them for their willingness to try new teaching approaches with students. Tricia, like many of our ELA teachers, are using Flipgrid in their classrooms in amazing ways. Watch Tricia share how she used Flipgrid with another 10th grade level 2 ELA classroom from North Carolina as they read To Kill a Mockingbird. I admire how Tricia used this tool to help her students collaborate with a group of peers from a different socio-economic background.  View her student responses. I have many of her students in my own level 2 World Cultures course and some of them are reluctant to discuss topics. In this medium they share their truth with not only their classmates but also with students several states away.  What if we did this with students learning science, math, social studies, music, art, etc. thousands of miles away? 

Great job taking educational risks in your classrooms, Clay and Tricia! 

I enjoy having my students use Flipgrid to introduce themselves to their class and help them share their view of the world throughout the year.  I have them post a Flipgrid video around the first day of school and then each marking period. At the of the year, they have four videos they can watch and trace how their views of the world changed throughout the year. Check out some examples of this voice portfolio here. 

If your digging for more inspiration and ways to integrate Flipgrid into your instruction, check out the Ditch That Textbook blog article, 15 Ways to Use Flipgrid in Your Class.  This is a list of ways to integrate Flipgrid into Social Studies activities that I found a while back. Many of the suggestions can be applied to other subject areas. 

Action Steps:

• Please feel free to comment below and share how you or another educator uses Flipgrid or any other discussion platform (I will share other programs at another point) to enhance or transform learning. 
• Let me know how I can support you. Schedule a time for me to help you on your next activity. Looking forward to learning with you. 

Extra Sandbox Inspiration:

I'll end with some thought-provoking resources, both shared by George Couros

https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/tag/blogging

"Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of a great teacher can be transformational."

@gcouros