Seesaw
How I use it
I use Seesaw to help explain and show things to students to help them practice more effectively and aid memory of new concepts from a lesson. I also use Seesaw to create videos of performance pieces to show family members.
What is it?
Seesaw is an American website platform but also in the form of an app. It was created for American schools but some schools over here have used it including the prep school for Merchant Taylors. It’s all free. (There is a paid version for big schools etc but I don’t need that).
- I have created an account as a “teacher”.
- I then create a virtual classroom where I add my pupil’s names.
- The pupil’s parent/s are also included with their email attached.
- Each pupil has his/her own “journal” which no-one else can see apart from myself, them and parent/family members if they wish.
- The journal is an opportunity for teacher / pupil to post videos/audio/drawn explanations etc.
- For example if I wanted to explain what a crotchet was just for one child I could create a video demonstrating or draw a picture and describe it on audio. I would post it onto that child’s journal.
- They would then receive it either on their app that a parent has downloaded onto a tablet or via the web interface for Seesaw.
- They can watch it but it won’t save to their device. They can reply to it.
- Obviously, parent can check what is being uploaded / sent.
- There are two apps one is a student app which I send through a QR code for and the other is a parent app which is linked. The parent can comment and add heart “stickers” to show they have seen/liked something but they can’t create videos etc.
It’s difficult to explain without showing you so that’s why I created the video if you want to watch it…:
To make it easy - each student has their own QR code for the student app/login and Seesaw sends an automatic separate “parent” invite for you to link to me. The apps can be found on the App Store if you have apple products.
The whole system was incredibly useful in lockdowns when we were online having lessons. I was able to send piano homework notes and explanatory videos which included overhead camera shots of my keyboard etc. Once we were back to in-person teaching, I still made videos to help with any confusions and also if people couldn’t make lessons I could make some teaching videos instead.
I would like to keep this as an option so would appreciate it if you could link in with it - however - it is optional so no problem if you’d rather not.
The seesaw platform can give more information on security and data protection if you wish to find out more on that.