Seesaw-Not Just for the Playground!

Portfolios are a great way to showcase student growth, but tons of papers are often hard to keep track of. Seesaw is an online portfolio tool that teachers and students can use to document learning. It is available as an app or online, so it's possible to use on most types of devices and it's easy enough that early primary students can use it! This online tool connects digital and physical learning and is a perfect way to promote accountability with your students. For example, students could explain a math concept, create science reflections, work on writer's workshop, or read aloud and record the week's sight words. This is a tool that can be used across grade levels and content areas. 

Here's how it works:

• Teachers create an account (which takes under 60 seconds) and then set up their class. Each student will get their own online journal within Seesaw.
• Students and teachers can add various items to document student learning, although the goal is for students to do most of the work! This could include photos, videos, and drawings and students can add voice, text, and drawing captions. 
• Teachers can view the items students post and can approve items to be shared with parents via the app, text message, or email. This is a great way to promote the home-school connection!
• Over the course of the school year, students will have an organized, digital portfolio of their work, which is a fabulous way to document student growth!

Check out this video clip from Seesaw for a quick overview of this tech tool:

Why try Seesaw?

• It empowers students to take charge of their own learning.
• It allows students to work on their writing, reflection, and critical thinking skills.
• It documents student learning-without all the paperwork.
• It is a great tool for fostering the home-school connection.
• It helps students develop the 21st century skills critical for their futures.
• It's an easy to use tool within a student friendly, safe, moderated environment.

If you're interested in checking out Seesaw, you can find the app in the Google Play and Apple App Store-search for Seesaw-The Learning Journal or check out the website https://web.seesaw.me/ . If this is a tool you've used, please leave a comment below! We'd love to showcase your students' work on the blog!