Flipgrid @ Ballard

Flipgrid is loaded with possibilities, but first, we must ask why? Why learn about it, why spend precious class time having students use it? 

My favorite reason is that every student is given the opportunity to have a voice. Additionally, here are some ideas brainstormed by our instructional coach, Mrs. Auffert:

In ACTION:

In the Spring of 2017, through a collaboration between Economics teacher, Mrs. Baumgardner, Instructional Coach, Mrs. Auffert, and Teacher Librarian/Tech Lead, Mrs. Dovre, the senior Economics students engaged with Flipgrid, a video discussion platform. The seniors had been reading The Wal-Mart Effect by Charles Fishman. As a follow-up to the reading and their individual work on an outline of the reading, students chose a subtopic (Local Communities, Competition, Suppliers, Employees, etc.) and shared their views about the impact of Walmart on that subtopic.

Twitter post from April 28.

 What we saw: nervous students, excited students, students redrafting their outline responses, students tucked away in corners of the library and commons, students reviewing their videos and doing retakes, students watching and listening to their peers' videos, and of course, students taking their selfies. There was energy.

More recently, Mrs. Dovre has created a Flipgrid for the Ballard HS Book Club. Students are busy and they can't always attend the meetings, so we are opening up Book Club to Flipgrid in addition to our face-to-face meetings. She shared the link to the Flipgrid via our Google Classroom stream.

Here's a Google Classroom post used to share a Flipgrid topic.

This is what the Flipgrid topic looks like for this month's book:

No videos yet, but it won't be long, hopefully.

Want to jump on board?

Getting started is simple, and your technology lead or instructional coach will gladly assist you with the setup and the rollout to your students. Just ask!

If you want to get started on your own:

     1. Login via the email directions. (We can send them again if you need them.)

     2. Create a Grid.

     3. Add a topic to the grid. Students will respond within the topic framework. 

     4. Share the topic with students.

     5. Don't forget to add this to the Pineapple Chart in the PD room so others can visit.

Resources:

     Intro Presentation used last year to introduce Flipgrid to students.
     Student Guide - Links will need to be adjusted
     15 Ideas for Ways to Use Flipgrid
     Updates to Flipgrid since last year
     Video Tutorial and Tips from Flipgrid

Holiday Break

Chromebook care over the holiday break.

Since going 1:1 in the middle school, this will be the very first holiday break with Chromebooks.  We would like to remind parents/guardians and students that even over break you and your child must take care of the Chromebook and properly handle the device. The school will not be staffed over the holiday breaks to tend to any damaged devices. Be patient if Chromebooks are sent for repair. Ballard has no control on the turn-around time for Chromebooks that are shipped for repair and/or warranty issues. Mr. McGill, Mr. Peterson and the technology staff have done an outstanding job in providing technical support for all of our Chromebook needs. Kudos to the team!

GENERAL MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

• Remind your child that the Chromebook is for school use and does not need to travel with them during the holiday break.
• It is a learning tool. Students may use it for other purposes outside of school with your permission - example: playing games, listening to music - as long as they abide by school and home rules.
• Remind your child to recharge their Chromebook overnight the night before returning to school after the holiday break to ensure that it is ready for the school day.
• Avoid extreme temperatures

CYBERSAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

• Internet access will be filtered on and off the school site.  
• The school’s Chromebook Acceptable Use Policy will continue to be enforced.
• Supervise use at home by ensuring Chromebooks are used in family areas rather than bedrooms.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

• Consider setting screen time limits to avoid overuse.
• Encourage your child to take breaks from using the Chromebook.
• Remind your child not to have the volume too loud, especially if using headphones or earbuds.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families.