“SeeSaw”: An Online Portfolio for Differentiated Learning Kearstin Martin ITEC 7445 Emerging Technologies Project

What is “SeeSaw” Seesaw is an online portfolio builder that allows teachers and parents to interact in a “hands-on manner” with student work. Seesaw is completely student driven and allows students to upload pictures, videos and drawings to show what they are doing within the classroom.

How does it support our vision for technology use? Seesaw supports Cobb County’s Three-Year Technology Plan. The Cobb County Technology Plan states “ Our students will be equipped with twenty-first century technology skills to demonstrate, apply and communicate their learning” -Seesaw allows students to not only upload their work, but once the teacher has approved it, it also sends an instant notification to parents to view, comment and save their child’s work. - Parents can only view their child’s portfolio.

Age of Appropriate Use Seesaw was designed with young learners in mind Students as young as 4 and 5 years old are using Seesaw with minimal adult supervision. In order to ensure equitable use, teachers should have a class set of iPads ready for use. Student-Proof Camera -Seesaw is in compliance with the new Cobb County Technology Safety Act as students do not need individual email logins or access to social media to use Seesaw -Seesaw has modified the camera for the use of young students. The camera will not take the picture unless the camera is held still and focused on the image. This ensures quality work is being uploaded to the SeeSaw Portfolio.

Equitable Access Discussion Ideally, schools will invest in 5 class sets of 30 laptops upon the initial role out of this endeavor. Students may bring their own iPads from home with parent permission to download the SeeSaw App Charging Carts will need to be purchased for transporting the classroom sets With the 5 iPad carts that we already have, the 5 additional class sets will be enough to sustain an equal and fair circulation of the iPads for usage.

Equipment Implementation Plan We will begin with a 2 week training program(1 hr long sessions) For the training sessions, teachers will need to be equipped with a fully charged iPad with the SeeSaw app downloaded. Each iPad should be cased in a shock/shatter proof case in order to protect the schools investment. -In these hour long sessions, teachers will be learning how to use Seesaw effectively for differentiation. -Teachers will be learning how to create, mangage and edit classes -Three of the training sessions will be dedicated to helping teachers discover new ways to get parents using and participating in Seesaw, which is in compliance with the Griffin Middle School Strategic Plan.

Equipment Implementation Plan We will started with 3 iPad Carts in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. We will reserve one cart for teacher use. Instructional Technology coach will be on standby for the first 2 weeks of use to assist with trouble shooting.

Technical Support Technical Support is available for all users through the Seesaw Help Center found on the Seesaw Website. Support Modules include: Getting Started Tips, Activity Ideas, Tutorial, General Help and Teacher Stories. Still have questions? Teachers can email or help@seesaw.me or they can fill out a contact request form online.

Limitations Very Few Limitations There are no ethical, legal,safety, or health issues due to the safeguards that Seesaw has put into place. Student have NO contact with social media nor do they need personal emails or social media logins for access. Students have NO REASON to operate outside of the SeeSaw app to complete the tasks assigned through SeeSaw unless otherwise indicated by the teacher.

Cost of the Emerging Technology The cost of SeeSaw is FREE for parents students and teachers It is available in the Google Play store and the App Store. Seesaw Training will be lead by Instructional Technology Coach. No cost associated. Approximated cost for five 30 count class sets of iPads with protective cases is $5,000. (Subject to change)

Potential Funding Sources Based on Griffin Middle School’s 2014-2015 Title 1 allotments, we have approximately $3,500 to put toward this endeavor. I would like to propose a school-wide fundraiser to raise the rest of the funds. PTSA Involvement Solicitation of more Cobb County Funding Technology Grant

Classroom Usage Discussion Student reflections done specifically through technology used on SeeSaw Authentic Learning is taking place due to the reflection and genuine analysis taking place within the usage of the app Students can either upload a picture, or draw the picture using the SeeSaw app(Differentiation by product)

Classroom Usage Discussion SeeSaw is specifically geared towards increasing communication. SeeSaw facilitates community learning. Perfect for Project Based Learning Students may also voice record responses and reflections to their work supporting the Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards. -SeeSaw can be used globally for teachers to communicate with students all over the world. More locally, parents and teachers can communicate in reference to the approved student work shared through the SeeSaw app. -The design of SeeSaw enforces parent, teacher and student communication and aspects in order for it to run successfully. -Students can compile a mobile online portfolio to be presented at the completion of the PBL. Upon discovering a new artifact, students can simply upload it to their own personal profile.

Effectiveness Research Teachers have stated: “SeeSaw is the best application for online portfolios. [I] had a parent teacher conferenceand shared Social Studies work and the QR code with the access letters. Parents loved it!” “SeeSaw is the Ed Tech gamechanger of the year”. “I love SeeSaw. My Pre-AP kids are using it to journal their digital research studies”.

Final Reflection While researching Seesaw, I learned that the primary purpose of emerging technology is to enhance the learning experience of students and teachers. I would use SeeSaw in my classroom, ad I would suggest it to other teachers as well. This experience strengthened my professional practice, because it forced me to go in-depth with my research to create this presentation. I now feel that I am an expert on this emerging technology resource.

Works Cited Student-Driven Digital Portfolios. (2015, January 1). Retrieved April 5, 2015, from http://web.seesaw.me/