I recently came across a Web 2.0 application that makes it easy to create your own customizable video-sharing site in minutes. You can use Fliggo to build a class video blog, create a class “YouTube”-type site or just use it as a private place to share videos. There are no downloads or installations; you (or your students) can create and manage material securely within a browser. Best of all, you can also control who can join, upload a video, or comment about a video.
Sample Site I
Setting up your Fliggo site requires an easy online registration and an email account. During the registration process you will create a user name, password, and description for your account. You can also select a format for your site. The community option allows you to create a member-driven video site. This option would be great for classroom integration; students could upload video and would be able to comment on videos that were uploaded to the site. You can also select a Video Blog option. I could see this option as being very useful if you wanted to post instructional videos so students could review them or watch them for homework. They could also provide relevant comments about the videos you post. During the set-up process you also need to select a membership option.
If you choose the “open” option, anyone can join your video site. Personally, I would choose the “moderated’ or “closed” option. In the moderated mode, anyone can apply to join your site, but you must approve them (this seems like a viable option for educators; students could apply for membership and you could approve them). If you select the closed membership option, only people you invite can join your site (this might be a nice option for sharing family or classroom videos). Don’t be put off by all my verbiage -- the setup process is quick and intuitive (really!).
Once you have set up your account you (or a student) can upload a personal video or use a URL link from YouTube. I especially appreciated the YouTube option because the video, once loaded on your Fliggo site, does not link users back to YouTube -- a great advantage if your school blocks YouTube. You can quickly and easily upload YouTube Videos from your home computer and still provide access to the videos in school through your Fliggo site. You can also change the theme of your site and even upload a logo to make your site more colorful and personal. And, as if that were not enough, you can also select from add-ons that include an RSS feed, featured videos, video ratings, announcements, etc. Did I mention that you are assigned a personal Fliggo site address? The personal (or school-sanctioned) website address should make unblocking video content safe and simple even if you are working with very young students.
The integration opportunities for using a Fliggo site are endless! A classroom video site like Fliggo would be very useful when students are working on video projects. I wish this site had been available when my students created videos for their webquests. I know my 4th graders who created Photo Story Biography poems would also have loved uploading and responding to everyone’s videos. The Fliggo site features excellent information detailing the features and setup is a snap. Get started with Fliggo today and share the Fliggo strategies you have discovered and implemented in your classroom.
Jen Farr is a certified New York State Educational Administrator with 17 years experience working with educators, students and technology. She has published over 150 online educational resources and offers workshops across the country. Jen will also research and develop workshops and training materials that are customized to the needs of your district or corporation. Contact her at Farr-Out Links to Learning
