Seesaw
What is Seesaw?
Seesaw is an amazing tool that students can access on laptops and tablets. It empowers students by allowing them to create their own digital portfolios. Trust me, you have got to try Seesaw! I literally had students running to the iPads when it was their turn to use Seesaw. Students can upload photos, files, videos, and even create blogs. Everything is user-friendly (even Kindergarteners can use it!), logically organized, and easily accessible to teachers and parents. I absolutely love Seesaw because it puts the power in the hands of the students, plus it gives parents a glimpse into what goes on in the classroom. I use it to get students creating content, to assess understanding, and to facilitate student self-reflection and growth. Click here for examples and resources from my classroom. |
Where Do I Start?
To get started, head to their website here to create an account. Once you're logged in, you will be asked to create a class. There are two different ways for students to sign in: Class QR or Text Code, or with email or Google accounts. For younger students, I recommend using the QR code method for a quick and easy sign in. Logging in with an email account takes slightly longer, so I only recommend that for older students that have some typing skills. Most of my third graders were fully capable of logging in with their Gmail accounts with a little practice.
QR or Text Code mode: If you chose the QR or Text Code method of signing in, then you will need to manually enter the names of all the students in your class, then print your QR code poster. Students will need to have access to that particular QR code each time they sign in. I recommend printing out multiple copies of this QR code and putting them in strategic locations around the classroom. Do you have a "tech corner" where students will be using Seesaw? If so, hang up a few copies of the QR code there! Will students be using Seesaw at their desks? Try taping QR codes right onto the corner of their desks for easy access. Or print out 4 copies of the QR code and hang one up on each wall. That way students don't have to go far each time they log in.
Email or Google Account mode: If you chose for students to log in with email accounts, then you do not need to manually enter their names. Instead, students must log in for the first time with their email account, then join your class by entering a Join Code (you can find this on your teacher page when you log in). Once each student has logged in once and entered the join code, you will have a full roster of students!
QR or Text Code mode: If you chose the QR or Text Code method of signing in, then you will need to manually enter the names of all the students in your class, then print your QR code poster. Students will need to have access to that particular QR code each time they sign in. I recommend printing out multiple copies of this QR code and putting them in strategic locations around the classroom. Do you have a "tech corner" where students will be using Seesaw? If so, hang up a few copies of the QR code there! Will students be using Seesaw at their desks? Try taping QR codes right onto the corner of their desks for easy access. Or print out 4 copies of the QR code and hang one up on each wall. That way students don't have to go far each time they log in.
Email or Google Account mode: If you chose for students to log in with email accounts, then you do not need to manually enter their names. Instead, students must log in for the first time with their email account, then join your class by entering a Join Code (you can find this on your teacher page when you log in). Once each student has logged in once and entered the join code, you will have a full roster of students!
Seesaw Features
When students log in, they will be brought to the class feed. To create new content, they simply click on the green plus sign in the top right corner. Then they will see six icons. The icon they select depends on the type of content they want to create.
Play around with the Seesaw features before you try it out with your students. I am not exaggerating when I say it's so easy that a Kindergartener can do it! The features are all very intuitive. You'll feel comfortable after clicking around for only a few minutes.
- Photo: Take a picture using the device's camera.
- Video: Record a video using the device's camera.
- Drawing: Use the device as a whiteboard if it's touchscreen. Use the mouse to create a drawing on a laptop. Students have access to different colors, varying pencil choices (thin, medium, thick), and an eraser tool. When they're done, they can make a voice recording and add a text caption as well.
- Upload File/Camera Roll: Upload an existing file, including pictures, from the device.
- Note: Type anywhere from a few sentences to multiple paragraphs.
- Link: Type in a URL, then add a voice recording or text caption.
Play around with the Seesaw features before you try it out with your students. I am not exaggerating when I say it's so easy that a Kindergartener can do it! The features are all very intuitive. You'll feel comfortable after clicking around for only a few minutes.
Settings
You are in control of how much freedom students and parents have on Seesaw. Based on your intentions for Seesaw and your students' needs, you'll need to decide on some key factors to toggle ON or OFF. Do you want students to view each other's work? Can students like posts? Can students comment on posts? Do new comments require your approval before posting? Will students be allowed to edit their items after posting? Do you want to approve each item before posting? Will you enable parent access? Will parents have access to likes and comments? Choose the settings that you are comfortable with! You can always change them later.
Personally, I introduced my class to Seesaw and we explored it for 2-3 weeks before I invited parents to access their portfolios. I wanted to make sure each student had at least a few items in their portfolio. I chose to allow parents to like and comment on their student's work, but I approved all postings. One thing I love about Seesaw is that parents only have access to their own child's portfolio. I received tons of feedback from parents saying they loved Seesaw because they felt more connected to what their child was doing in the classroom. Even better, the students loved sharing their work, knowing their parents would see it. Many students enjoyed commenting back and forth between their parents. The picture below is a simple example of what appears on the feed when a post is "liked" and commented on.
Personally, I introduced my class to Seesaw and we explored it for 2-3 weeks before I invited parents to access their portfolios. I wanted to make sure each student had at least a few items in their portfolio. I chose to allow parents to like and comment on their student's work, but I approved all postings. One thing I love about Seesaw is that parents only have access to their own child's portfolio. I received tons of feedback from parents saying they loved Seesaw because they felt more connected to what their child was doing in the classroom. Even better, the students loved sharing their work, knowing their parents would see it. Many students enjoyed commenting back and forth between their parents. The picture below is a simple example of what appears on the feed when a post is "liked" and commented on.
New Features
This year, Seesaw has improved their usability with two teacher-friendly features. First, Seesaw now allows teachers to tag their student's posts with customizable skills and standards. They also make it incredibly easy to monitor progress by assigning 1-4 stars to student work. Second, teachers can now make individual notes on student work and add work into a private teacher folder. The best part: all of this is only visible to teachers. Imagine making notes, scoring student work, and creating private folders and notes that you can refer to during conferences or report card time!