Using video can be a welcome change for soliciting student response, either to a teacher prompt or to each other. It can also be a great way to get to know students early on (particularly those who are quiet or reserved, or have difficult-to-pronounce names).
Flipgrid is an easy-to-use tool that lets students share, discuss or reflect via video-based discussions. Teachers post prompts or topics, and have control over how they want to moderate or respond to incoming content. Students can use any device (computer, Chromebook or phone) to respond without needing any specific log-on information or account. (Students using phones do need to download the free app.)
I used it with freshmen during HOP day and in less than 5 minutes I was able to get very short (15-90 second) introductory videos from hundreds of incoming 9th graders and could also share their videos back out with them. It was a great way to start to match names with faces, find out a little about each new student, and hear them say pronounce their names in their own voices. There are tons of other ways this could be used for formative assessment in the classroom, and what student doesn't love to see themselves on camera?
