Week 12: Gravity is Great!

 

Intro

Hi everyone, this week we're taking a look at the interactive web tool Gravity. It is recommended as one of the best replacements for Flipgrid, which was removed in 2024. If you're looking to make your library classroom more interactive and create video assignments and get real-time student feedback, I can't recommend Gravity enough!

Cost

Gravity is free to use, but librarians should also consider the premium plan for $12. The free version includes video options to record and answer prompts, but they can only be a few minutes long. With the free plan, you get 3 premium prompts which allow you to use all the specialty features such as combining video, audio, and screencasting, attaching files, and AI enhancements. In contrast, the premium plan gives you unlimited access to recording time and prompts, the ability to attach documents, images, and videos, and includes AI features. In the free version, you have to choose either video, audio, or screen share, but the premium plan lets you do a combination of all and also allows you to upload other content. Sometimes the free and paid versions are very similar, but in this case, if you're serious about adding Gravity to your library, it's worth the upcharge!

Audience

Gravity is appropriate for all ages! I'd recommend it more for upper elementary grades and older the most because I feel like it would fit best within their curriculum, but I could also see it being used as a form of class participation and engagement for younger grades as well. 

Features

Gravity is a platform for interactive video discussions where students can be active participants. Librarians have the option to record a video, their voice, or to screencast. This allows for flexibility because not every lesson will look the same. Discussion boards appear at critical points in teacher-created videos that allow students to give feedback. Teachers will ask questions, and students can craft video responses to test their understanding of the topic. Gravity prides itself on being accommodating, so students are encouraged to answer at their own pace- there's no rush to respond. The educator and student videos can vary from being a few seconds long to unlimited time such as hours. Gravity also has AI features that can help educators brainstorm and summarize critical parts of the video to viewers. 

Premium users can attach other files to their videos to give more options and expand the reach of their lessons. Librarians can upload files, videos from YouTube, materials from Canva, and attachments from Google Drive, FigJam, and National Archives. 

There is also the option to create an AI-generated prompt. You tell the AI your topic and summarize your key points, making sure to put a comma between each new point. It will generate a script for you and it is fully customizable- you can make any changes you need! You can also add follow-up questions that are generated by AI. They can be expanding, meaning that the question is going off of your video and containing the conversation, opposing which allows for student debate, and imaginative, which encourages a creative approach. 

Accessibility

A unique accessibility feature Gravity provides is keywords and insights. For every video recorded on the platform, Gravity generates full transcripts and extracts main concepts and keywords. It also creates additional educational resources to pair with the video such as definitions and related materials. This is an instantaneous process that can help summarize and break down your video so students can see the learning objectives and main goals of your lessons.

Use in a School Library

There is no one correct way to use Gravity in a school library. The possibilities are endless! I can see it being used to hone in on key concepts and as a checkpoint throughout the semester. For example, I made a sample video for a 6th-grade lesson on citing sources in MLA and APA. This is one way of how librarians can create lessons and invite students to create their own video responses. I also see this as a great way of giving an alternative form of feedback. Instead of just written comments or a rubric, imagine receiving a video from your library teacher about how you did on the assignment and what you can improve. Hearing this feedback face to face and from a person rather than in a more disembodied form can really help a student feel seen. 

Conclusion

If you're looking for an alternative to Flipgrid, Gravity is a fantastic choice! With an automatic transcript, versatile videos, and the opportunity for student responses, it is fully interactive and engaging.