Flip, or Flipgrid, is no longer available as a standalone platform. Microsoft, the owner of Flip, has decided to integrate its functionality into Microsoft Teams for Education, leading to the discontinuation of the Flip website and app. As a result, all Flip content is now in read-only mode, and users have until September 30, 2024, to download any content, including student responses, from Flip.

Since 2017, instructors at UAF have been using Flip in their courses to spark student communication and foster more engaging discussions. Flip enabled students to participate in threaded video conversations within an interactive and mobile-friendly environment. While the discontinuation of Flip may present challenges, it also provides an opportunity to explore new tools and strategies to enhance teaching practices.

For instructors who have relied on Flip as an integral part of their teaching practice, this transition may be disruptive. However, the Instructional Design Team at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is available to consult in finding suitable alternatives that align with your educational goals.

Alternatives to Flip

So what are your options? Flip was unique in how it simplified the recording and upload process, structured the videos as a discussion, and provided the ability to limit the parameters of responses (such as length). Below is a list of alternative tools researched by our instructional design team. Each platform offers unique features, and we believe they can be useful alternatives based on your teaching goals.

Voicethread

Voicethread is the closest alternative to Flip that our team recommends and supports. It is a multimedia presentation and group interaction tool that accommodates various media types, including images, videos, audio (via microphone or phone), and text annotation. Similar to Flip, Voicethread centers interaction around a central piece of content, and then allows users to “thread” their responses. Importantly, Voicethread integrates seamlessly with Canvas LMS and allows for connections to learner records and the gradebook. Read more about uses of Voicethread.

Kaltura

For instructors who primarily used Flip for students to submit assignments or share single videos with classmates, Kaltura presents a practical solution. Kaltura allows videos to be shared directly within Canvas discussion forums or assignment submissions, making it a versatile tool for a range of instructional needs. Furthermore, Kaltura is fully accessible to all UAF faculty and students. For those interested in giving students greater creative control over video assignments, WeVideo is another option that allows for collaborative editing and can export directly to Kaltura.

Hypothesis

For faculty who used Flip as a dynamic alternative to traditional discussion boards, Hypothesis offers a compelling option. Hypothesis is a social annotation tool that, while not video-based, enables students to engage with each other directly in the context of course readings. This tool can foster deeper interaction and discussion by allowing students to work collaboratively. To learn more about how to implement Hypothesis in your courses, visit the CTL Toolbox.

These alternatives provided by our instructional design team offer diverse and innovative ways to facilitate student engagement and interaction. The Center for Teaching and Learning is here to support you through this transition, helping you maintain effective and engaging courses.