Seesaw
1. Description
Seesaw is a digital portfolio tool that allows students and teachers to post pictures and videos of their classwork. Everything that is posted gets pre-approved by the teacher before being shared with the rest of the class. Seesaw can also be shared with parents as well. Students, parents, and teachers can 'like' and comment on each post that is approved.
2. Recommended Audience
Seesaw can be used by all age levels! It is a social media-like platform that is safe for students of all ages to post and present their work. Teacher help will be necessary in the elementary grades to go over digital citizenship and the right/wrong ways to comment on other's work.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Instead of passing in homework assignments in paper form, students can take a picture of their work or create a video going over the steps to complete the problem. Gone are the days of correcting mountains of paper! Instead, the work students add will be sent directly to their portfolio. Teachers can also assign all kinds of activities that give easy to follow directions. For example, students are to take a selfie on their device and leave it at a desk. Then you are to walk around the classroom adding positive character traits of other classmate's selfies. It is a great way to provide get-to-know-you activities for your students.
Disadvantages
Without proper training or teaching, students may attempt to post things that are inappropriate or not on task. Make sure to model the correct behavior and what internet citizenship looks like. This can go for parents as well who are a little too involved. The expectation of polite comments needs to be addressed. Luckily, teachers have the final say for what gets posted, but some parents may be upset if their comments don't get posted for one reason or the other.
4. Budget
There are two versions of Seesaw that are viable options for teachers and schools. The first version is free and allows for all of the basic features. The only real difference between the free and paid version ($120 per year) is that the digital portfolio that is created for each student rolls over to next year's teacher as well. This makes it much easier for teachers to see the progress over the years from their students.
Seesaw is a digital portfolio tool that allows students and teachers to post pictures and videos of their classwork. Everything that is posted gets pre-approved by the teacher before being shared with the rest of the class. Seesaw can also be shared with parents as well. Students, parents, and teachers can 'like' and comment on each post that is approved.
2. Recommended Audience
Seesaw can be used by all age levels! It is a social media-like platform that is safe for students of all ages to post and present their work. Teacher help will be necessary in the elementary grades to go over digital citizenship and the right/wrong ways to comment on other's work.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Instead of passing in homework assignments in paper form, students can take a picture of their work or create a video going over the steps to complete the problem. Gone are the days of correcting mountains of paper! Instead, the work students add will be sent directly to their portfolio. Teachers can also assign all kinds of activities that give easy to follow directions. For example, students are to take a selfie on their device and leave it at a desk. Then you are to walk around the classroom adding positive character traits of other classmate's selfies. It is a great way to provide get-to-know-you activities for your students.
Disadvantages
Without proper training or teaching, students may attempt to post things that are inappropriate or not on task. Make sure to model the correct behavior and what internet citizenship looks like. This can go for parents as well who are a little too involved. The expectation of polite comments needs to be addressed. Luckily, teachers have the final say for what gets posted, but some parents may be upset if their comments don't get posted for one reason or the other.
4. Budget
There are two versions of Seesaw that are viable options for teachers and schools. The first version is free and allows for all of the basic features. The only real difference between the free and paid version ($120 per year) is that the digital portfolio that is created for each student rolls over to next year's teacher as well. This makes it much easier for teachers to see the progress over the years from their students.
5. Training and Rollout
Training is extremely easy and teachers will pick up all of the tricks very quickly. Everything is laid out perfectly and clearly. There are features that seem complex, but in reality are not at all. An hour, at the most, will get all the teachers where they need to be to get started. After that, Seesaw does a great job of teaching educators new features and examples of how to use them.
6. What is needed?
All that is needed is any tech device with a camera and microphone capabilities that have internet access. iPads are preferable, but Chromebooks and other computers will work as well.
7. FAQ's
Do parents need to be involved with Seesaw?
Parents do not need to be involved with Seesaw, but it has proven to be a great way to keep parents up to date with what goes on in the classroom. More specifically, it gives the parents conversation starters to have with their children about their day of school.
How easy is it to set up?
The set-up takes about 10 minutes! You need to make a username and password for your teacher account and add your class roster.
Can I start Seesaw at anytime during the year?
Anytime during the year is a GREAT time to start! There are so many options and lesson plan ideas that will pack a punch with your lesson plans. I suggest that everyone try this application out!
Training is extremely easy and teachers will pick up all of the tricks very quickly. Everything is laid out perfectly and clearly. There are features that seem complex, but in reality are not at all. An hour, at the most, will get all the teachers where they need to be to get started. After that, Seesaw does a great job of teaching educators new features and examples of how to use them.
6. What is needed?
All that is needed is any tech device with a camera and microphone capabilities that have internet access. iPads are preferable, but Chromebooks and other computers will work as well.
7. FAQ's
Do parents need to be involved with Seesaw?
Parents do not need to be involved with Seesaw, but it has proven to be a great way to keep parents up to date with what goes on in the classroom. More specifically, it gives the parents conversation starters to have with their children about their day of school.
How easy is it to set up?
The set-up takes about 10 minutes! You need to make a username and password for your teacher account and add your class roster.
Can I start Seesaw at anytime during the year?
Anytime during the year is a GREAT time to start! There are so many options and lesson plan ideas that will pack a punch with your lesson plans. I suggest that everyone try this application out!