Nancy Behrens
Return to: ETAP 623 Spring 2020 (Zhang) | Nancy Behrens Mini-Course | Using Seesaw in the Middle School Science Classroom
About me
My name is Nancy Behrens. I am in my first year as an 8th grade science teacher at an urban school district in the Capital Region. I started my teaching career more than 20 years ago as a special education teacher. When I recently returned to teaching after raising my family, I decided to try my hand as a science teacher.
I have been married for almost 15 years and have three children. When I am not teaching or taking classes I am a taxi services for my children to their myriad of after school and weekend activities.
My Topic/Purpose
In my quest to be a good educator I am eager to learn more about learning and instruction. I recently became aware of the terminology of active learning versus passive learning. Students are passive participants when listening to lectures or reading. Students are more engaged during demonstrations and discussions. Ben Franklin said it best “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Having this knowledge gives way to the challenge of how best to implement these ideas, this is where the digital platform Seesaw comes in.
Seesaw provides the active learning that today’s students need in order to be prepared for success in the 21st century. Those 21st century skills can generally be divided among 4 c’s: collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity. Collaboration is a student’s ability to work with others, respectfully give feedback and to appropriately accept criticism. Communication can be described as a student’s ability to write and speak. Critical thinking entails solving relevant and complex problems, evaluating options and making decisions. Creativity is encouraging students to think outside the box and innovative new ideas. Seesaw is a digital portfolio tool that educators can use to develop these skills.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- Integrate Seesaw into their classroom instruction to engage students.
- Challenge students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
- Establish activities that can be used to formatively assess student learning.
- Differentiate instruction that will allow students to learn alongside their peers.
Needs Assessment
Instructional Problem
Students are passive participants when listening to lectures or reading. Students are more engaged during demonstrations and discussions. Ben Franklin said it best “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
The model of education is ever changing. The idea of sitting in rows while a teacher instructs on a chalkboard has been replaced with cooperative grouping and Smartboards. With the sudden closure of schools due to the Covid pandemic, technology has become a vital part of educational design. As students spent more time on devices, teachers must reimagine what instruction looks like to meet students where they are. That is where Seesaw, a digital portfolio tool comes in.
What is to be Learned
This mini-course will provide learners with a basic understanding of the website Seesaw and the applications for using Seesaw in a middle school science classroom. Learners will be able to incorporate Seesaw activities into lesson planning and classroom instruction upon completion of this mini-course.
The Learners
This program is designed for middle school science teachers seeking to incorporate more reflection and understanding in their students while being aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.
Instructional Context
All instruction will be conducted online. Learners will need a computer with internet access. Learners will also need to sign up for a free Seesaw account at https://app.seesaw.me/#/login?force_login=signup. Instructional content will be taught through a variety of methods including screencasting videos, Google Slide presentations and online activities. Participants will be assessed through a series of brief self-graded quizzes.
Exploring the Problem and Solution
Seesaw allows students to demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of methods, they can write, they can create a video, they can take a photo and add text. This access to choice can be very motivating to middle school students.
Analysis of the Learner and Context
Learner Analysis: This course will be used to effectively instruct teachers on how to use Seesaw in their classrooms to promote student success. Participants will become knowledgeable in teaching with Seesaw and guiding their students to demonstrate learning using the activities in Seesaw .
Context for Instruction: Participants will learn content within this mini-course online, in the location of his or her choosing. Delivery of the content will require the use of a computer and a stable Internet connection as well as a free Seesaw account.
Performance Based Objectives
Learners will be able to:
- Identify how Seesaw can be used within the middle school science classroom.
- Incorporate more student reflection using Seesaw in the middle school science classroom
- Create a Seesaw activity that can be used in a middle school science classroom.
Task Analysis
What is Seesaw?
Learners will watch a video about what Seesaw is and observe examples of student activities. Learners will create their own free Seesaw account and explore platform.
How can Seesaw improve instruction?
Learners will watch a video about creating Seesaw activities is and create a simple journal activity. Learners will Integrate Seesaw into their classroom instruction to engage students and will transform them into self-directed learners.
How can Seesaw improve learning?
Learners will challenge students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways that appreciates different learning styles.
Why choose Seesaw?
Learners will create activities that can be used to formatively assess student learning of any given topic Learners will differentiate instruction that will allow students with disabilities and English Language Learners to learn alongside their peers at a comparable pace and with dignity in mind.
Curriculum Map
References and Resources
https://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/04/empowering-students-21st-century-skills/
https://www.gallup.com/services/176699/21st-century-skills-workplace.aspx
https://teachonline.asu.edu/2013/03/how-does-active-learning-support-student-success/