Using Seesaw in the Middle School Science Classroom

Return to: ETAP 623 Spring 2020 (Zhang) | Nancy Behrens

Introduction

Are you looking for a new way to engage your students? Do you want to differentiate instruction and meet students where they are? Do you want students to cement their learning by reflecting on what they have learned? Seesaw is a tool that can do all those things.

By the end of this course you will be on your way to creating activities to use in your secondary science classroom to use tomorrow. This platform is so simple to use that you will be able to start using it immediately and your students will be able to complete activities by the end of one class. With Seesaw the possibilities are endless.

Course Overview

By the end of the course, learners will be able to answer the following questions:

1. What is Seesaw?

2. How can Seesaw improve instruction?

3. How can Seesaw improve student learning?

The goal is for teachers to be able to find more effective, engaging ways for students to demonstrate learning. Instead of an environment where the teacher leads the entire discussion, the goal is to allow students to be active participants and reflect on their own learning.

This course is organized into three units. As you work through the course, you will be asked to:

• Watch various videos
• Create a Seesaw activity to be used in your classroom
• Reflect on your own learning and teaching in the classroom

This course is designed to help you get started using Seesaw in your middle school science classroom as soon as tomorrow. To get the most out of this course please have a second tab or a second device with the Seesaw platform open. Find Seesaw here

Course Units

1. Unit 1: What is Seesaw?

Learning Objective:

Learners will be introduced to Seesaw and consider how it can be incorporated in the classroom.

Learners will be asked to:

• Watch a video introducing Seesaw
• Write a reflection on what they've learned this unit

2. Unit 2: How can Seesaw Improve Instruction?

Learning Objective:

Learners will be able to investigate the easy to use creative tools and evaluate the activities found in the community library. Learners will be able to assess what learning activities would work best for their student population and subject area.

Learners will be asked to:

• Watch a video on how to create activities in Seesaw
• Choose a topic they teach and create a type of activity would work best for their lesson.

3. Unit 3: How can Seesaw Improve Student Learning?

Learning Objective:

Learners will be able to design engaging lessons that showcases their students' understanding and reflect on what they've learned.

Leaners will be asked to:

• Watch 2 videos that are examples of student learning.
• Create a student sample of their own lesson activity.

Extended Resources

YouTube is full of helpful tutorials on how to make your own activities for your classroom.Seesaw on YouTube

Seesaw also offers free professional development for teachers every month.Seesaw PD

There is also the Seesaw Help Center Seesaw Help Center

Unit 1: What is Seesaw? Unit 1/ Part 1: Creating Your First Class

Unit 2: How can Seesaw Improve Instruction? Unit 2/ Part 2: Assigning Your First Activity

Unit 3: How can Seesaw Improve Student Learning? Unit 3/ Part 2 Create Your First Activity as a Student