Make Online Learning Interactive with Flipgrid

 Ever since the pandemic has hit us, the transition from learning in the classroom to learning digitally has been intense. Though some may enjoy the adjustment, many teachers and students alike have found it difficult to learn effectively through online means. Some students are not retaining the information as much as they once had, and others cannot focus through text on a screen. By virtue of this, teachers across the nation have implemented the application Zoom so that students can actually see and hear the teacher as if they are back in the regular classroom setting. Students have the option to turn their cameras on to see their fellow classmates, bringing back the humanity in virtual learning. While discussion boards are excellent forms of communication, sometimes seeing the person behind the words on the screen is even better. That is why Flipgrid is an ideal alternative to the regular discussion boards that so many online classes use. So, what is Flipgrid? Flipgrid is a website that allows students to post short videos in response to the weekly discussion. Instead of paragraphs on paragraphs, the student can actually speak their mind, use their voice - literally - and showcase their identity to the other students in the class. This way, the people on the screen become actual people and not just solely words. This style of learning also prompts students to think on the spot, utilize their knowledge through speaking, and integrate technology in the process. Students can access any of their classmates' videos, watch them, and learn from them. Moreover, this is a great way to establish learning for auditory learners. Not all students learn the same way, so alternating between discussion boards and Flipgrid can benefit both auditory and visual learners. It forces students out of their shells and prepares them for the real world. Public speaking is an integral part of the business world, and Flipgrid is a stepping-stone for initiating just that.