Microsoft has decided to acquire the educational platform Flipgrid, which enables collaboration on interactive themed lessons and allows users to post short videos.
The platform entering the market, Flipgrid, was originally called Vidku. Its debut was quickly commented on by the media, where one could read that it was the equivalent of Instagram or Snapchat. The platform was created with education in mind and to support teaching in school classrooms. According to Flipgrid, last year saw an 800 percent increase in the number of teacher accounts using Flipgrid in their daily work.
Microsoft is not letting up and is taking further steps to increase its presence in the digital education services market. Acquiring Flipgrid is meant to help the conglomerate achieve its goal.
"We are excited to watch the impact Flipgrid is having on so-called social learning and we want to support this brand's activity within the Microsoft family," said Microsoft vice president Eran Megiddo.
"We will work with dedication to ensure that this platform, together with Flipgrid's products, continues to work with the ecosystems of Microsoft, Google and our partners so that it can continue to benefit students and teachers wherever it reaches."
Flipgrid has already been integrated with the Office 365 software suite in its education edition. The application is to be available free of charge to schools, while all those institutions that previously paid for access to the platform will receive a refund of costs from Microsoft.
Summary
Microsoft bought Flipgrid, a video platform created with education in mind, which recorded an 800 percent increase in the number of teacher accounts last year. The tool, initially known as Vidku and compared to Instagram, will go to schools for free — the company will also refund costs to institutions that had so far paid for access.
Microsoft vice president Eran Megiddo announces that Flipgrid will continue to work with the Google ecosystem as well. Thanks to integration with Office 365, the conglomerate is strengthening its position in the educational services segment.
