Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Day 113 - Seesaw: A Way to Connect With Students and Parents - Chandler Joyce - BHS Senior

Seesaw is an app designed for teachers of all grades and subjects.image1 
Seesaw allows teachers to connect with not only students, but parents, too. Through this app, teachers create classrooms for each of their classes and this enables students to create their own 
digital portfolios to display what they have learned. Students can use a variety of methods to share their knowledge, such as text, pictures, videos, drawings, PDFs, and links. Once students update their portfolios, their information is immediately available for their teacher to access. Students can access their teachers classroom with a QR code, text code, or an email account.
Seesaw highlights the developments that have been made to education. For example, teachers can take pictures of worksheets and post it into their classroom, and students can draw their work on to the same picture and turn it in. Also, this app creates a blog-like feeling, which allows students to assert their thoughts and explain themselves more thoroughly. This app is helpful to students with different learning habits because they are allowed to express their ideas in different forms. Students that may feel more comfortable verbally explaining their answers are allowed to do so, others that can explain themselves through drawing are welcome to that solution, etc.
This app is great for teachers to check on their students progress and make sure they understand what is being taught in class. It also helps students download.pngwith their organization and time management skills. Seesaw is easily accessible and can be organized quickly and efficiently. One of the drawbacks of students having iPads/the internet for learning is that distractions can become an issue. Instead of utilizing the advantages that come along with having an educational iPad, students sometimes play games, use social media, or text their friends, which can create a distant atmosphere between teachers and students. This app creates a more interactive environment for classrooms, especially those with 1-1 programs, like Burlington High School. Seesaw also has an app specifically designed for parents, so that they are more involved with their child’s education and progress.image2
Seesaw provides a personal and trustworthy audience for students because parents can access their child’s portfolio and check their progress. Teachers can restrict who views each students portfolio, so that students are not copying their peers
work. Also, parents have the options to communicate with teachers via private messaging, creating a strong support system for students. The Seesaw app for parentsis designed like the student/teacher app, whereas parents have to enter their child’s classroom code through a QR code. Parents are notified whenever their child’s portfolio is updated and they have full access to their work and the teacher’s feedback. Along with viewing portfolios, parents can save documents and pictures in their phone.
Seesaw is an app that is changing the dynamics of technology integration in education. This app not only incorporates teacher involvement, but parent involvement too, so that slacking off and not paying attention is not an option for students. I personally think that Seesaw is a great app that would be useful in any classroom of any grade. Sports coaches could even use this app to connect with players and parents. I highly recommend this app to teachers/coaches that want to make sure their students and parents are fully engaged in their education.seesaw-logo-script-tagline

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