Trailblazing Student Ownership: Mapping Out Personalized Learning Adventures in Seesaw

Outline

1. Introduction and Session Overview (10 minutes)
Content Presented:
- Overview of session goals and participant outcomes.
- Brief introduction to Seesaw’s role in enhancing personalized learning.
- Explanation of the session format: participants as learners first, then as planners/creators.

Audience Engagement:
- Interactive poll: (e.g., using tools like Mentimeter or Slido) asking participants about their experience with Seesaw and personalized learning.
- Small group introductions: Share one challenge related to personalizing learning in the classroom.

2. Experiencing Seesaw as a Learner (30 minutes)
Content Presented:
- Participants will experience Seesaw from a student’s perspective, exploring various tools such as choice boards, interactive folders, and standards-based learning.
- Examples from real classrooms in the district will be shared, showcasing how Seesaw is used to engage students and foster ownership.

Audience Engagement:
- Device-Based Activity: Participants will log in to Seesaw as students and interact with a pre-made choice board and standards-based folder to explore learning pathways and assessment features.
- Peer-to-Peer Interaction: In pairs or small groups, participants will discuss how they might apply similar structures to their own classrooms.

3. Planning and Creation Phase (40 minutes)
Content Presented:
- Guided creation of personalized learning materials (choice boards, standards-based folders) based on each participant’s specific teaching context.
- Presenters will guide participants through the planning process, from setting learning objectives to designing activities within Seesaw.

Audience Engagement:
- Device-Based Activity: Participants will create their own choice board pathway or standards-based folder, designed for their classroom, with real learning goals.
- Peer-to-Peer Interaction: Group feedback and collaborative discussions during the creation process among educators of similar roles.
- Presenter Guidance: Presenters will walk around, offering feedback and answering questions.

4. Final Reflection and Sharing (10 minutes)
Content Presented:
- Wrap-up and reflection on the session.
- Review of participant-created materials, with an emphasis on practical application in the classroom.

Audience Engagement:
- Group Sharing: Volunteers will briefly present their choice boards or folders.
- Reflection Activity: Participants will complete a short digital exit ticket in Seesaw, reflecting on what they learned and how they plan to use it in their teaching.

Supporting research

Personalized Learning in PLC at work by Timothy S. Stewart, Sascha Heckmann, Mike Mattos, and Austin Buffum.

Tapping the Power of Personalized Learning by James Rickabaugh.

Differentiation and the Brain by Carol Ann Tomlinson and David A. Sousa.