Technology in the

Classroom: Seesaw
Presented to: K-5 Teachers
Date: April 15, 2020
By: Hillary Langill
Objectives and Standards
What is our goal…
Our goal is to become more comfortable and
confident with the technology tool, Seesaw in
our classrooms. Today, you will understand
common “tech-fears”, know how to use
Seesaw and know its many benefits.
Standards we will be addressing:
● ISTE 1-Educator as Learner: I continually
improve my practice by learning from
others and exploring promising practices
that leverage technology to improve
students learning.
● NBPTS: Proposition 3: Teachers are
responsible for managing and monitoring
student learning.
● TLMD: Domain 1: Fosters a Collaborative
Culture to Support Educator Development
and Student Learning
What would your classroom be like if you and your
students didn’t use technology?

What would happen when students were asked to use it in

later grades?
How would your skills as a teacher in today’s tech-based
world be affected?
 You Try: What’s the story behind this picture?

Image: Bryan Saint, Frustration Dear Helpdesk…, Retrieved from Google Images
https://www.bryansaint.com/remember-passwords/frustration-dear-helpdesk-my-computer-kept-telling-me-i-have-an-inva/
Common “Tech-Fears”
● Looking “lame” in front of students.
● The time it takes to learn the technology
doesn’t outweigh student success.
● Something won’t go right and I’ll have to
figure it out, wait for IT or trash the idea
altogether.
● I don’t have proper training on a
technology, I won’t know how to use it.
● It’s just too darn complicated
What really happens/What can we do…
● Students are often eager to lend a helping hand to
their teachers.
● “According to brain- based research conducted by
the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human
Behavior at the University of California, Los
Angeles, "the brains of digital natives were more
actively engaged while navigating a web- page, as
opposed to reading a book" (Herther, 2009).
● Practice with the tool before using it. Does
everything work? If student iPads don’t work, do it
whole class from your computer. I’ve done it!
● You’re here today, you’re going to learn about one
application. Mrs. Foley is always a resource!
● Seesaw is very user friendly. Think of it as a virtual
TPT store. The more you use it the more you’ll be
wowed by it!
 You Try...
What are some of your tech fears or fears you’ve experienced in the past?
What happened in the situation?
 Benefits of Technology Benefits of SEESAW:

Findings… What I’ve found in my classroom…

“The integration of technology into the classroom setting
allows teachers the benefit of connecting with students ● Students are more on task- no dull
digitally by providing rich learning experiences with which
pencils, no need to get up and turn in
students can relate. Thus, technology in the classroom is a
must-have attention keeper and ultimately meets the needs of assignments.
digital natives” (Hicks, 2011).
● Stronger engagement

“Technology has truly changed the educational experience for ● More collaboration
students with disabilities. New technology has allowed ● Extra typing practice
students with special needs to make miraculous gains that
would not otherwise have been possible (Hopkins, 2006)” ● More familiarity with technology used
(Hicks, 2011).
in Tech with Mrs. Foley.

“By using the technology we are able to increase the frequency

and timeliness of communication between the home and
school, which helps build trust and maintain parent satisfaction
with the school and school personnel” (Heath, et al., 2015).
 SeeSaw

Video Retrived from: https://web.seesaw.me/

 What did you see?
● What positive comments did the teachers mention? Could you relate
to any of these comments?
● Was there anything in the video that concerned you? What was it?
● Did the video have anything that surprised you?
● What was your takeaway from the Seesaw activity library mentioned.
 The connection between, teacher, parent and students

Teachers and Students

Parents and Students Stronger Relationships
Teachers use SeeSaw as an Parents are able to see
engaging platform for student work and Altogether, the teacher, parent and
students to practice and progress on events student are able to access raw student
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understand concepts. occuring in the data, work, and progress in one place.
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classroom. Everyone involved can share, comment
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Students are able to Stronger progress monitoring can take
and are proud of what they share what they have place.
do. learned with their
parents.
 I don’t know if I want parents
seeing EVERYTHING…what
controls does Seesaw have?

Photo Credit: Unknown, Cheezburger Meme Base, Retrived from Google Image Search, https://cheezburger.com/8483876352
What controls would you want Seesaw to have
and why?
Some might say teacher ability to:
- Approve posts
- Delete posts
-Preview student work before approving.
-Pick assignments
-Comment on assignments
-Share selected assignments with parents.

Seesaw has all of that!

A Quick Look at How Teachers Use Seesaw
 Now You Try:
You’re going to do your own Seesaw assignment, like your students would, feel free to do this with a
partner:

1. Pick up the iPad on your desk and open the Seesaw app.
2. You will see you have an assignment that is due.
3. Read the directions and complete the assignment. Be sure to use the annotation features like
text, drawing and voice typing.
4. When you’re finished turn your assignment in by clicking the green check mark.

NICE WORK!
What are some of your concerns about Seesaw?
Pros:
● Students are exposed to technology and manipulating objects.
● Students are engaged in lessons
● Teacher is able to control assignments
● Teacher is able to assign specific tasks to each student.

Cons:
● Needing to monitor student iPad, ensuring they’re on task
● Students need to become familiar with tools on Seesaw
● Too much screen time?
You Try: After the presentation what is Your Understanding of
Seesaw?
Turn to a partner and discuss:

● If you could describe Seesaw in 5 words what words would you use?
● How would you use Seesaw in the classroom?
● Seesaw is a great tool for online learning how would you use it?
● What are some features you like about Seesaw?
● What would you change about Seesaw?
● What are some “tech-fears” you may still have with using Seesaw?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME!
 Works Cited
Hicks, Stephanie, (2011), Technology in Today's Classroom: Are You a Tech-Savvy Teacher? Source: The Clearing House, Vol. 84, No.
5 (2011), pp. 188-191 Published by: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/41304371 Accessed: 19-02-2020
16:22 UTC

Deleon, K. (2018). Using the Technology SEESAW to Strengthen Communication Between Home and School, University San Marcos,
Retrieved from http://dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.3/206456/DeleonKimberly_Fall2018.pdf?sequence=1Accessed:
19-02-2020