Using Seesaw App in a Science Class

Have you tried out Seesaw for your elementary aged kids yet? If you haven't, I suggest you check it out! What is Seesaw? According to Seesaw's page, "Seesaw empowers students of any age to independently document what they are learning in school."

Why am I loving Seesaw?

Seesaw acts as a digital portfolio that allows students to have authentic audiences for their work. Most importantly, students are the creators of their knowledge; I also love the feature that allows me to send them images, videos or links. A great way to flip your classroom! Students could be pre-exposed to a concept the night before you teach the topic by adding videos that you create using something like Edpuzzle, Screencastomatic, Explain Everything, or Show Me (read about Edpuzzle idea here, read about using Screencastomatic here, learn about using Educreations here). 

How do you capture student learning?

Students can add photos, videos, drawings, images, notes, and even links to show their understanding of a concept. They can then like and/or comment on each other's posts. (This feature can always be turned off if you would prefer for them not to like/comment on each other's work. However, I would argue that this would be a great way to model to young students appropriate ways to like/comment on each other's work. They will be liking and commenting on each other's social media accounts more than likely one day, so why not start by teaching them how to appropriately use this feature at young ages?)  Once students create their video, for example, they then add their creation to their "journal" by selecting their name in the class list. 

How do students join a class?

Students will download the Seesaw app, select "I'm a student," and scan your class QR code or enter a class code. Be looking for another blogpost about having students sign up using their google accounts in order to access more than one class. For example, our 4th graders use Seesaw in 3 different classes so we had them sign-in via google in order to add all 3 classes to their account. 

Check out this great video that a 4th grader at our school created to show her understanding of an animal cell. Would a worksheet show this depth of understanding?