Locust Grove Tech Tidbits
By Denise O'Brien, LMS/STC
SeeSaw
Think of Seesaw as an alternative to Edmodo and one that is FAR easier for primary students to use. Instead of using traditional usernames/passwords, student log-in by scanning a QR code that the app creates for you. All a student has to do is point the iPad at the QR code and select their name!
At Crestwood Elementary, kindergarten teachers have just started using the app to track what students are doing in literacy centers while the teachers are working with guided reading groups.
Check out the videos and examples below of how Seesaw is being used in primary and intermediate elementary classrooms.
Example from a 1st Grade Classroom
How are you using Seesaw in your class?
We use Seesaw in a variety of ways. This app enables my students to document their learning, makes it easy to share student work with parents, and serves as a digital portfolio—all with just a few simple steps. Best of all, students can share their work with their parents in 'real time'.
What is an activity you've done recently that turned out well?
My students regularly use Shadow Puppet Edu (Another great FREE app) to 'show what they know'—and this works seamlessly with Seesaw.
During a recent first grade lesson on 'Goods and Services', students used paper bags to create a large scale '1C Town'. Students were so excited about creating this huge project! Seesaw allowed them to share their experience with their parents at home.
Other ways of using Seesaw App
- English Language Arts
Take a photo of a book you read this week. Use the voice recorder to describe your favorite character in the story.
- Math
Post a math problem on the board (such as a part-part-whole grid) and have students take a picture & use the drawing tool to fill in their answer. For extra credit, have them record an explanation of how they came up with their answer. - Art
Identify different colors, forms, textures or patterns around your classroom or school. Use the camera to document what you find and use the voice recorder to compare and contrast them.
30 Common Core Aligned Activities to use with Seesaw
Click on the link below to browse through some teacher-tested uses of Seesaw in action!
http://help.seesaw.me/hc/en-us/categories/200277525-Activity-IdeasSeesaw is VERY teacher and student friendly!
Empower Students
Simple QR code log-in, a student-friendly camera, and teacher approval of new items makes it safe for students to use Seesaw independently.
Students can add text and voice recordings to journal items to reflect, explain, and develop their academic voice.
Students can use our built-in suite of tools or import from many popular apps to illustrate their learning creatively.
Engage Parents
Invite parents by sending home a personalized handout that only gives access to their child’s journal - no parent emails required.
Student-driven updates give parents information between conferences and reduce the need for lengthy newsletters.
Short, visual updates actually get seen, and cross language and technology barriers. Seesaw supports SMS, Email, iPhone and Android parent notifications.
Teachers are ALWAYS in control.
Nothing is automatically shared without your approval.
Simplify Workflow
- Teacher accounts are FREE!
Keep journals for all of your students. Add an unlimited number of items
Access to all students' work added in your class
Engage parents with real-time notifications
- Journals are private, secure, and never shared with third parties