Using Technology for Discussion and Formative Assessment: Flipgrid

Before this semester, I was not familiar with Flipgrid.  I have to admit that I was uncomfortable making my first video.  I felt awkward talking to the camera on my phone because I was using the Android Application.  I think this feeling of awkwardness will go away as I use Flipgrid more.  My students are comfortable recording videos of themselves and sharing them with their peers.  As a secondary mathematics teacher, I struggle to incorporate technology into my lessons and assignments.  When I used this technology, I immediately thought that this would be a good way to get my students discussing either mathematics problems or mathematics content without having to be in the classroom.  The students at my school have all been provided a device so they have the capability to use this site from their laptops.
Below is a video explaining what Flipgrid is and some people talking about how Flipgrid can revolutionize the classroom.

                                               

(from the maker's of Flipgrid)

I am going to use this technology in my classroom within the next week and will post a followup about how it goes.  I would like to integrate the use of it in my classroom in two ways.  The first way is for formative assessment. I could have my students explain a mathematical process in a video.  In Calculus we are starting derivatives this week and we will be calculating them using the difference quotient.  For some reason this concept is hard for some students to grasp.  They are capable of substituting information into an equation and simplifying, but this expression stumps some of them.  I am hoping that if they have to talk through the process, it will give them greater understanding.  My thought is that I will give each of them a different problem to work through in their discussion. Their peers will respond with any questions or thoughts. When we meet next time in class, we can talk about what they think about it.   The other thought I had about incorporating Flipgrid into my classroom is to allow the students to ask questions they have over their homework by posting a video.  Other students could post responses to help their peers and I can also give feedback. I've been trying to get my students to think about how to do a problem before they ask someone for help and especially before they come to me or another teacher asking for assistance.  It isn't that I don't want to help them, but they all need to be independent thinkers and also need to learn to collaborate with their peers.

Flipgrid will also allow me to leave a short message for my students when I am absent.  The substitute can give my directions, but I think it might mean more if the class hears the direction from me.

I think by using this technology in my classroom, I will be able to easily incorporate it into my building as an administrator or be able to encourage other faculty members to use it.  I will add this to my box of tricks so that when I become an administrator I will have many resources to share with those in my building.