The Best Flip Alternatives for Music Education

In June 2024, Flip (formerly Flipgrid) dropped a bombshell: the beloved tool would be exclusive to Microsoft Teams starting July 1st. The news sent shockwaves through the music teacher community, as Flip had become an integral part of our teaching in recent years. While the loss of this tech tool is undoubtedly hard, there are Flip alternatives to help us achieve similar results. Whether you are collecting playing tests, fostering peer feedback, or building community, there are tools that can fill the void.

Collecting Playing Tests, Auditions, and Other Video Performances

Flip was a great platform for collecting student performance videos, since students could record and submit their videos in one place. Fortunately, many learning management systems (LMS) now offer this functionality. Platforms like Google Classroom, Schoology, Canvas, and Seesaw allow students to upload audio or video files as assignments. Students can record directly on their devices and upload to the LMS. Students using phones or tablets can use the camera app to record, and students using Chromebooks or laptops can use the built-in webcam. Other common tools for this include Loom, which is a screen recorder that can also take webcam videos, or Screencastify, which has similar capabilities. In fact, in response to the Flip announcement, Screencastify recently launched Submit, specifically designed for student video assignments. I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my radar. 

If your school doesn’t have an LMS or file submission isn’t feasible, Google Workspace can be a lifesaver. Students can upload videos to Google Drive and share links with you. Or, create a Google form for students to submit their videos via link or file upload. This option will keep all submissions organized in one place, a Google Sheet, and keep the clutter out of your email inbox. If you use Google Form, be sure to collect students’ names on the form. Also, if students will submit videos through the form, check the maximum file size for uploads and how many GB the form can accept. 

Fostering Peer Feedback and Building Community

While playing test submissions were a common use of Flip, I really appreciated the collaboration and sharing capabilities the platform afforded. When used in this way, students (and other invited guests) could view each other’s videos and leave feedback if desired. It was a great community builder, and a real asset to my music classes. While no direct replacement exists, several platforms can help.

Padlet

I’ve been using Padlet almost as long as Flip, and it often feels like a hidden gem! Padlet is a versatile digital board for sharing content. Users add notes to the board, which can include text, images, links, audio, video, and more. Depending on the settings, comments or “likes” can be added to individual notes. Similar to Flip, students could post videos to Padlet for classmates to watch and leave feedback. The only downside to Padlet is the fact that it’s a “freemium” tool – meaning, it’s free for limited use, otherwise you need a paid subscription. The free version includes 3 boards, which you can clear and re-use. There are both pro and education subscriptions available, each with different features. It’s worth checking if your school already subscribes to Padlet, because it has a wide range of uses. Here’s earlier blog post I wrote about Padlet. It will get updated soon with some of the newer features that have been added in the last year: Exploring the Benefits of Padlet in the Music Room

FigJam 

FigJam is a newer online whiteboard with collaborative features. I have limited experience with this tool, but I’m excited to try it more this school year. Besides other features, FigJam allows for media upload, including video, audio, and image files. Students can also comment and leave emoji reactions to posts. FigJam for Education is available to teachers in K-12 and higher education settings for free, as long as you have a verified email address. It could be a fun tool to explore for a variety of purposes. 

Google Slides 

I can’t write about digital collaboration and leave out Google! For a project where students are submitting videos for others to view and potentially leave feedback, Google Slides is a great option. Create a new slide deck and share it with students so everyone can edit. Have each student claim one slide (or assign slide numbers ahead of time) and videos can be inserted from Google Drive or YouTube. Encourage students to include written notes about their video if it’s appropriate. Classmates can easily view each other’s videos and either use the comment feature for feedback, or add text directly to the slide. Here are two templates you can use to get started: Recruitment Video Template and Video Sharing Template

Maximizing the Impact of Video

Beyond performance assessments, video offers numerous possibilities for music classes:

• “Almost Ready” Performances – students can record videos 1-2 weeks before a performance and receive peer feedback on improvement areas. Learn more here: How an “Almost Ready” Performance Gives Students Ownership 
• Student-Created How-To Videos – students will reinforce their understanding of skills while creating resources for others to learn from! Learn more here: Using Student-Created How-To Videos for Skills Assessment
• Recruitment – have students create videos sharing what they love about music classes, encouraging younger students to participate
• Community Engagement – share classroom highlights with the school and community 
• Concert Song Introductions – students can create video introductions for concerts and performances. Learn more about this idea here: Concert Song Introductions

It’s important to remember that Flip is just a tool. The pedagogical strategies teachers employed while using Flip are what really mattered, and those strategies can continue regardless of the tool. While the transition away from Flip is challenging, it also presents an opportunity to explore new tools and innovative teaching methods. By embracing these alternatives and sharing your experiences with colleagues, we can collectively build a strong foundation for future music education.

Have you tried any of these tools or others as a Flip alternative? Let us know how it goes!