Flipgrid, now known as Flip, gave teachers a simple way to bring video discussions into the classroom. Instead of asking every student to speak in front of the class, teachers could post a question or activity and let students record their answers when they felt ready. They could also watch classmates’ responses and share their thoughts.
The platform was especially useful for classroom discussions, presentations, language practice, and student reflections. Although the original Flip website and mobile apps have been retired, Microsoft has kept the Flip camera experience in Teams for Education. Understanding how the original platform worked can still help teachers make the most of its video-based learning approach.
1. Understand How Flipgrid Worked
The original Flipgrid platform organized classroom activities around two main elements: Grids and Topics.
A Grid was a shared space for a class, subject, or group of students. Teachers could create separate Grids for different classes or keep all their activities in one place. Each Grid could contain multiple Topics.
A Topic was the actual question, assignment, or discussion prompt students needed to answer. For example, a science teacher might create a Grid for a science class and add Topics about the solar system, plant growth, or a recent experiment.
Think of a Grid as the classroom and a Topic as an activity taking place inside it. This structure helped teachers organize discussions and keep student responses together.
2. Create a Video Assignment
On the original Flipgrid platform, teachers started by creating a Grid and then adding a Topic. They could give the activity a clear title, write instructions, and add supporting material to help students understand what they needed to do.
For example, an English teacher could create a Topic called “Describe Your Favorite Book” and ask students to explain what they enjoyed about it. A teacher could also attach an image, video, or other reference material to provide context.
Teachers could set response requirements, including a recording time limit, and adjust available permissions. Depending on the activity, they could also enable moderation so that responses needed approval before appearing to other students.
A well-written prompt makes a big difference. Rather than asking students to simply “talk about science,” give them a specific task, such as explaining why the seasons change or describing what they observed during an experiment.
3. Share the Topic With Students
Once a Topic was ready, teachers could share access with students through a link or join code. Students could open the shared activity, read the instructions, and record their responses.
Teachers could also control who had access to a Grid. Options such as restricted access and passwords help keep classroom discussions within the intended group.
Before sharing an assignment, explain what students should include in their videos and whether they need to respond to classmates. Clear instructions reduce confusion and help students focus on the subject rather than figuring out what to submit.
4. Record and Submit Video Responses
One of Flipgrid’s main attractions was its straightforward recording process. Students could open a Topic, select the option to record a response, and use their device’s camera and microphone.
They did not have to deliver a perfect answer on the first attempt. Students could pause, review their recording, and re-record parts before submitting. This gave them time to organize their thoughts and feel more comfortable speaking.
The original platform also offered creative editing options. Depending on the available tools, students could trim clips, add text, stickers, emojis, drawings, and other visual elements. These features helped them make presentations more engaging without requiring advanced editing skills.
Students who were uncomfortable appearing on camera could use audio-based responses where available. Teachers could also consider other submission formats when the activity did not require a video presentation.
5. Watch Responses and Give Feedback
Video submissions were only one part of the learning experience. Teachers could review student responses, replay recordings, and provide feedback without asking students to repeat their answers in front of the class.
This made it easier to notice misunderstandings and identify topics that needed further explanation. For example, if several students made the same mistake while explaining a math problem, the teacher could address that concept in the next lesson.
Peer feedback could also extend the discussion. Teachers might ask students to watch two classmates’ responses and add a thoughtful comment or question. This encourages students to listen carefully, consider different viewpoints, and build on one another’s ideas.
A useful approach is to give students clear feedback guidelines. Ask them to mention something they learned, identify a strong point, or suggest a question that could take the discussion further. This keeps comments constructive and focused on learning.
6. Use Flipgrid for Different Classroom Activities
Flipgrid was not limited to one subject or type of assignment. Teachers could adapt video prompts to suit different age groups and learning goals.
Here are some practical examples:
- Math explanations: Ask students to solve a problem and explain each step. They can show their working and describe why they chose a particular method.
- Book reviews: Have students introduce a book, discuss its main characters, and explain whether they would recommend it to classmates.
- Language practice: Students learning a new language can record short conversations, introduce themselves, or describe everyday activities. Teachers can review pronunciation and fluency.
- Science projects: Ask students to document an experiment, describe their observations, and explain what they learned from the results.
- Literature activities: Students can perform a short scene from a play, take on different characters, or discuss a story’s main theme.
- Weekly reflections: Invite students to share what they learned, what they found difficult, and which questions they still have.
Teachers can also use video assignments before a lesson to understand what students already know. After the lesson, a similar prompt can help assess how well they understood the topic.
7. Make Video Discussions More Inclusive
Not every student feels comfortable speaking in front of a group. Some need extra time to prepare their answers, while others find it easier to explain an idea through speech than through writing.
Asynchronous video responses gave students more control over how and when they participated. They could think about the question, prepare their answer, and record it when they felt ready. This helped quieter students contribute without the pressure of speaking immediately in class.
Teachers could also offer alternatives when a camera created discomfort or presented an accessibility barrier. Audio responses, written answers, images, and other formats can help students participate in ways that suit the activity and their needs.
The goal should not be to make every student produce the same kind of video. It should be to give everyone a meaningful opportunity to share what they know.
8. Is Flipgrid Still Available?
The original Flipgrid website and standalone mobile apps have been retired. Microsoft moved some of Flip’s core recording features into Microsoft Teams for Education, where teachers can create video assignments and receive student responses using the Flip camera.
To get started with the current experience, teachers can sign up for Microsoft Teams for Education, set up a class, and create a new assignment. From the assignment options, they can select Flip video recording, add instructions, and share the task with students. Students can then record and submit their responses through the assignment.
There is an important difference between the original platform and its current Teams experience. The old Grids, Topics, and peer-discussion environment did not move across in full. Teams retains the video recording workflow, but teachers should not expect every former Flip feature to be available.
Conclusion
Flipgrid made classroom participation more flexible by giving students a way to explain ideas, share projects, and respond to questions through short videos. Its original Grids and Topics helped teachers organize activities, while recording and feedback tools supported discussion beyond the classroom.
Although the standalone platform is no longer available, teachers can still use the Flip camera in Microsoft Teams for Education to create video assignments. With clear prompts and thoughtful feedback, video activities can give students another way to express themselves and take part in learning.