Abstract: Given the demand for online learning and the need to retain students in online courses, higher education institutions and their faculty spend a great deal of resources on methods to provide students with successful educational experiences. This study presents the findings of a survey administered to students in online and blended courses to determine their perceptions of video-based discussions using the tool Flipgrid. The research is framed by the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the community of inquiry (COI) model.