See-Saw - A Must-Have Educational App

What is Seesaw?

A student-centered, easy-to-use app that allows students to document and share their learning with their teacher.

With Seesaw, students can choose to:

• create a video
• take a photo
• insert a link
• attach a file
• author a note
• compose a drawing

Teachers are able to view student submissions, add comments to the work, and either approve or not approve it.  

Accumulated student work grows into a portfolio that can be shared with parents, other teachers, and students to assess growth.

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How to get started:

Go to app.seesaw.me or download the app to create an account

*Remember to print and post the class QR code.

Get student devices ready for Seesaw:

1. Download the Seesaw app.
2. Open the Seesaw app and select “I’m a Student”.
3. Scan the class QR Code using the device (Note: The Seesaw app has a built-in QR code reader.)

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How to manage and organize student work:

Teachers can customize Seesaw by creating folders for filing student work.

Student work will automatically be attached to students’ names when students create their Seesaw item.

Why 1:1 is Good For None

The one to one initiative is currently sweeping through schools all across the nation, but is it really a good program for schools? In this post I will offer three reasons as to why administrators might want to rethink going one to one.

1) The benefit does not outweigh the cost

Money is a part of every decision in schools these days. Each kid has a dollar sign hanging above their head as they walk the halls. Every new program, club, activity, and initiative costs districts money. One to one programs are extremely expensive for schools districts. Is supplying every single student with a device really worth the financial burden that the school takes on? It may be a much more financially sound decision to provide each classroom with a class set of devices or even to become a BYOD school.

2) Too much emphasis on the device

Many administrators view one to one devices as an instant way to magically create a new school atmosphere that is progressive and adaptive to 21st century learning. But the truth of the matter is that there is too much emphasis placed on the devices and not enough emphasis placed on the pedagogy; devices themselves will NOT change a thing if there is not a fundamental change in the culture of learning at the school. The change starts with the teachers, not the devices.

3) Technology is not a "one size fits all"

Giving the same technological device to a science class and an English class just simply does not make sense. Learners in the science classroom need a more hands-on, interactive approach that something like a tablet would lend itself to. English teachers need devices that can be used to type, share, and edit documents. There is a fundamental difference to what type of technology works in what class. One to one initiatives go against the needs of learners in different classrooms.

Thanks for reading. Please check out the links below for more resources and analysis on one to one environments. 

http://novemberlearning.com/educational-resources-for-educators/teaching-and-learning-articles/why-schools-must-move-beyond-one-to-one-computing/

http://www.districtadministration.com/article/are-one-one-laptop-programs-worth-investment

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb11/vol68/num05/One-to-One_Laptop_Programs_Are_No_Silver_Bullet.aspx

Can We Put an End to Cyber Bullying?

In our day and age of evolving and advancing technology, there lies an old problem in a new-age form - cyber bullying. Cyber bullying has become such an enormous problem all over the nation. Cyber bullying has been linked to many cases of depression and even suicide in teens as young as 12 years old. 

Cyber bullying is defined by www.stopbullying.gov as "bullying that takes place using electronic technology". Cyber bullying is a term that is all too familiar to students, teachers and administrators these days. Administrators all over are taking lengthy measures to ensure that cyber bullying ceases to exist in their school. But can we really put an end to cyber bullying?

Helpguide.org says that in order to prevent cyber bullying, we must stop it before it begins. In their perspective, cyber bullying prevention starts at home. They tell parents to tell their kids to do three simple things:

1) Refuse to pass along cyber bullying messages
2) Tell their friends to stop cyber bullying
3) Block communication with cyber bullies

Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? I'll just come out and say it... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? Cyber bullying is one of the biggest problems we face in schools today and we're supposed to stop it by simply telling our kids "don't do it"?!?!?

To me, cyber bullying is a MUCH bigger problem that cannot be handled this easily. Cyber bullying must be handled by completely changing the school culture. I wish I could offer more ideas as to how to end cyber bullying, but the truth is that there is no easy answer to end it. Please leave your comments below and be sure to check out the following links to learn more about cyber bullying and cyber bullying prevention.

http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/
http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/
http://cyberbullying.org/

Kahoot: A Fun Way to Assess and Review

There is a new game-style assessment trend that is sweeping classrooms all across the nation - Kahoot! Kahoot is a great new way to engage your students in material by incorporating technology they know and love. To students, it feels like they are playing a trivia game - they even get to use their own devices to play! From a teacher's aspect, it is a multi-purpose tool; Kahoot can be used for assessment as well as enrichment or review.

In order to sign up for an account with Kahoot, go to getkahoot.com. Click the "Sign Up For Free" button in the top right-hand corner (that's right - not only is kahoot one of the greatest educational tools out there today, but it is also completely free for teachers and students alike!). Once you sign up for an account you can start making quizzes on your own or you can choose from an extremely large database of quizzes that have been created by others.

The beauty of kahoot is that in order to participate you do not need to create an account. This makes it extremely easy to use for students. In class, when you are ready to assess or review, you simply have students use their devices to go to kahoot.it. Once you have launched your quiz, the students simply enter a unique game code that pops up on the screen. They then create a username for themselves and once everyone is ready the teacher starts the game.



The way kahoot quizzes work is that students get more points the quicker they can choose the correct answer. This creates a very engaging, but also competitive atmosphere, which can be good or bad depending on what type of class you teach and what type of students you have in class. If you have the right group, kahoot can be a major tool to keep your students engaged!