Microsoft acquires Flipgrid, a video discussion platform for education

[David Matthews]

Why it matters: Google dominates the education market with its low-cost Chromebooks and collaborative tools. Microsoft needs every edge it can to convince schools that its a better education platform. The Flipgrid acquisition attempts to capitalize on the growing influence of video in the education market.

In our always connected world, social media has made a huge impact on education. Video content in particular has shaped how we consume content and has arguably made it easier to learn various subjects at much lower costs. Microsoft has acquired Flipgrid, a video platform that allows students to make reaction type videos in response to a discussion topic. The platform is heavily used in the education market in around 180 countries and Microsoft hopes to use this to leverage ground that's increasingly being dominated by Google.

“We’re thrilled to see the impact Flipgrid has had in social learning thus far and look forward to helping them continue to thrive as part of the Microsoft family,” said Eran Megiddo, CVP for Microsoft. “We’re diligently committed to making sure their platform and products continue to work across the Microsoft, Google and partner ecosystems to benefit students and teachers everywhere.”

Due to the dominance of Google Chromebooks in the education market, Microsoft has been trying to significantly improve its education offerings. The company has streamlined the web version of its Office products to compete more with Google in terms of collaboration. In fact, Flipgrid already works with Microsoft Teams. On the hardware front, Microsoft is countering Chromebooks with low-cost Windows 10 S laptops.

As far as the Flipgrid acquisition, Microsoft says that Flipgrid will "retain its distinct brand, culture and team". Microsoft wants to also use Flipgrid to help students build "social emotional skills" in order to develop better communication and learn how to come back from failure.

“Flipgrid has always been about the educator community. They are the source of our innovation and impact,” said Jim Leslie, Flipgrid CEO. “Now as a part of Microsoft, we have the opportunity to scale so we can support every educator across the globe as they empower student voice.”

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https://www.techspot.com/news/75131-microsoft-acquires-flipgrid-video-discussion-platform-education.html

 

[Theinsanegamer]

"Will this help Microsoft compete with Google in schools"

Nope. MS is losing their grip on schools due to costs. A chromebook is cheap and works for 5 years, and more importantly, works better then any $200 windows machine. And chromeOS doesnt break every 5 minutes.

In the modern HTTPS world, MS's domain controls and IE exclusivity is no longer a major selling point, and the scattershot approach to support is becoming a bigger problem.

 

[texasrattler]

MS is losing ground in schools, hmmm no they aren't. If the article is referring to middle and high schools, maybe as most of them can use google docs or similar software.
In Universities and in the business world, MS Office dominates by a long shot. They have major deals in those places that will ensure it will be around a long time. Not to mention they have a big deal with the government.
MS or Office isn't in any trouble of losing ground any time soon, if ever.

They are simply trying to IMO help the education section which, lets be honest needs all the help it can these days. Even Apple finally launched a school app for the first time in May.