Capturing Learning & Building Community
What does learning with Seesaw look like in the classroom, and how can it help create a positive, engaging classroom culture?
Seesaw is a powerful tool for teachers and students for many reasons, but nothing is more powerful than this beautiful button.
What makes this feature so special?
Well, this seemingly simple button holds the Seesaw magic: it actively captures learning!
Teachers and students use this button to:
- document hands-on learning,
- capture student thinking,
- share everyday classroom moments,
- bridge classroom and in-home learning,
- connect families with the classroom, and so much more!
This little green button truly creates magic.
What else makes it special?
When a teacher uses the green +Add button, any learning- classroom moments, artifacts, samples, exemplars, etc. is added to the Class Journal. The Class Journal is visible to all students in the class as well as to connected family members. (Learn more on how to connect family members here)
That means the green +Add button is a fantastic way to share:
- Videos to support student learning (that can be watched as many times as needed).
- Photos of learning resources such as anchor charts, exemplar student work, classroom moments, and more!
- Photos and video of classroom learning and teachable moments,
- Links to outside resources, creating a central hub of learning.
- …and so much more!
Let’s take a look at how teachers can use the green +Add button to take advantage of Seesaw’s multimodal tools to engage students, develop new ways to deepen classroom communication, and build a strong classroom community.
Tips & Tricks: Are you looking for more ways to build classroom culture and help students get to know each other? Assign a community builder like this”Would You Rather?” activity from the “All About Me” collection! These activities are designed to help students share some of their favorite things, so they can get to know each other while helping you get to know them at the same time!
Creating a Welcome Post
One of the most important things we can do as teachers is build a trusting, supportive, safe environment for students from the start. Something as simple as creating a welcome post in Seesaw can help students get to know you and can start students and teachers off on the right foot.
Another great thing about creating a welcome post is that connected families will also be able to see your journal entry! This will help you build a strong Learning Loop amongst all members: students, families, and teachers. It will also ensure that families see a post from their first login, and a dynamic introduction can help parents see how technology can enhance the learning experience.
Watch this short tutorial to see how easy (and fun!) it is to create a welcome post.
Resources to Prepare Your Classroom
Using technology in the classroom can be intimidating for students, but when a supportive, prepared classroom environment is created, students can quickly thrive!
The following resources are supports that can be printed and placed around the classroom or given to students so they always know what to do and how to respond when working in Seesaw. When students feel prepared, their confidence will soar and deeper learning can be captured more quickly.
- Seesaw It (a quick, 5 step explanation of how students can add work to their journal)
- Respond to a Seesaw Activity (a quick, 5 step explanation of how to complete activities in Seesaw)
- I Can Record on Seesaw(a quick, 5 step explanation of how to record voice in Seesaw)
- How to Take a Picture for Seesaw(quick tips for capturing clear images for the student journal)
- Back to School Activity Board (grades PK-2) (ready-to-use, engaging activities to get to know your students, develop procedures, and build classroom culture)
- Back to School Activity Board (grades 3-5) (ready-to-use, engaging activities to get to know your students, develop procedures, and build classroom culture)
Resources to Support Families
The following resources are supports that can be printed and sent home with students to share with their families or sent as attachments through Seesaw messages. When families feel involved in their student’s learning journey, they are more likely to be engaged and supportive. Let’s empower families to be active members of the Learning Loop so all students can thrive!
- Welcome Families to Seesaw (share this video with parents to introduce them to Seesaw, how to connect with their student, and what they can do once connected.)
- Getting Started with Seesaw for Families (English) (a quick guide to help families connect with Seesaw)
- Getting Started with Seesaw for Families (Spanish) (a quick guide to help families connect with Seesaw)
- Three Ways to Participate (3 simple tips for families to participate in their child’s learning with Seesaw)
How are you using Seesaw this school year in your classroom? Comment below!