educators 2 educators’ blog

The Evolution of Seesaw From Digital Portfolio to a Learning Experience

The Evolution of Seesaw From Digital Portfolio to a Learning Experience

Seesaw stands out as a transformative force in EdTech, reshaping elementary education through innovation and technology designed specifically for elementary learners.

Originating as a digital portfolio, Seesaw has evolved into a learning experience platform, expanding its offerings to encompass various tools, features, and curricula designed to empower teachers and students, elevate instructional practices, and facilitate effective communication with families.

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Using Minecraft to Teach Coding in the Classroom
Engagement, Coding Carrie Conover Engagement, Coding Carrie Conover

Using Minecraft to Teach Coding in the Classroom

Minecraft is not just the online world of swords and zombies you’ve been led to believe. Apparently, it’s an incredible tool in teaching students how to code.

It’s practical, easy to use, and - best of all - your students already love it. You won’t have to spend time trying to sell them this game or teach them how to use it. A fun lesson might even be letting them teach you!

So, how can Minecraft help you teach coding?

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Creating Engaging Video with Adobe Express Animate
Creation Tools, Design, Engagement Carrie Conover Creation Tools, Design, Engagement Carrie Conover

Creating Engaging Video with Adobe Express Animate

Revolutionize your classroom experience with this tool, free for educators - Adobe Express Animate.

With Adobe Express Animate, you can quickly design engaging and creative lessons using various avatars, filters, elements, and more using your own voice. You students can get in on the fun too and create their own videos!

Let’s explore some of the most captivating features of Adobe Express Animate.

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Teacher Self Care: Free Online Tools for When You Lack the Will to Teach
Carrie Conover Carrie Conover

Teacher Self Care: Free Online Tools for When You Lack the Will to Teach

“You’re a better teacher for your students when you take care of yourself first.”

That’s crap. Here’s why: It’s not selfish to care for yourself. You don’t need a reason to care for yourself. And you don’t need to care for yourself so that you can take better care of others.

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3 Online Tools for Supporting Middle School Science
Science, Middle School Carrie Conover Science, Middle School Carrie Conover

3 Online Tools for Supporting Middle School Science

Is anyone talking about middle school science? Science as a subject and even the middle school grades in general seem to be two of the most neglected areas of EdTech.

However, the tools I’ve found for this exact niche are so impressive that you almost won’t need anything more. They’re inclusive, personalized, and so interesting that I want to dig around in them.

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What Teachers Should Know About Esports
Virtual Reality, Engagement Carrie Conover Virtual Reality, Engagement Carrie Conover

What Teachers Should Know About Esports

What are Esports? Are the actually sports? Is it good for students? Is it helping them socially?

At FETC 2024 in Orlando, I had the opportunity to learn about Esports, a topic I knew little to nothing about. Like most, I assumed Esports were played at a computer or with a controller, weren’t very social, and required no physical movement. Essentially, I thought we were replacing physical activity with more screen time.

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Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids with Canva for Education
Design, Engagement Carrie Conover Design, Engagement Carrie Conover

Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids with Canva for Education

As teachers, it’s fun to mix up the day-to-day and celebrate holidays like Valentine’s Day. It’s fun for our students and for us, and it helps us all make the most of the little things. But we all know how exhausting it can be. So, why not take some of the burden off yourself with some Canva for education Valentine’s Day activities for kids?

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3 Low-Prep Online Tools You Can Use for Indoor Recess Tomorrow
Low-Prep Carrie Conover Low-Prep Carrie Conover

3 Low-Prep Online Tools You Can Use for Indoor Recess Tomorrow

Running out of ideas to get the wiggles out during indoor recess? When the snow just won’t seem to melt or the rain hasn’t stopped all week, how can you give your students the activity time they need to stay focused without doing the same thing day after day? Turning online might seem counterintuitive, but there are plenty of free, low-prep resources available to help you get your students moving and their brains resting. Here are three free and easy online tools your students will love that are perfect for your next indoor recess.

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3 New Canva for Teachers Ideas for 2024
Creation Tools, Tech Tools Carrie Conover Creation Tools, Tech Tools Carrie Conover

3 New Canva for Teachers Ideas for 2024

Canva is constantly making changes and improvements. Besides making worksheets and printables, there is so much teachers can do with Canva to enhance collaboration and bring ideas to life.

I use Canva every day with my team because its design and collaboration abilities always blow me away. From documents and AI to whiteboards and videos, Canva really does it all. Both you and your students can take advantage of all these amazing Canva for Education tools.

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Advice for the Grieving Teacher
Well-Being, Wellness Carrie Conover Well-Being, Wellness Carrie Conover

Advice for the Grieving Teacher

Losing a loved one is one of the most stressful and devastating experiences of life. Grief can consume us and exhaust us for days, weeks and months.

Going through loss when you are a teacher has its own set of unique challenges. Teaching is stressful by itself, so when you add the extra layer of loss, it can seem unbearable for a teacher to want to return to the classroom and face 25+ children every day.

I understand this feeling all too well.

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How to Get Out of a Mental Funk and Turn Your Day Around
Well-Being Carrie Conover Well-Being Carrie Conover

How to Get Out of a Mental Funk and Turn Your Day Around

We've all been there. You wake up in the morning and you're just not feeling it. Life feels blah. You don't want to go to work. Your colleague or sister or partner annoyed you yesterday, and the feelings are still lingering. Your clothes fit funny, and your face looks tired. Maybe you regret that 9 pm glass of wine or the giant warm batch of chocolate chip cookies you devoured.

You're in a mental funk, and you know if you don't somehow snap out of it, you're headed for a long day of self-pity and cranky-town.

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Teacher Self-Care Online Tools for End of Year Classroom Chaos
Well-Being Carrie Conover Well-Being Carrie Conover

Teacher Self-Care Online Tools for End of Year Classroom Chaos

Teaching can be a rewarding profession, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges and stress. As educators, it’s important to prioritize our well-being and practice self-care to avoid burnout. But this is typically easier said than done.

You just spent the day surrounded by colleagues, potentially disrespectful students, tedious administrative tasks, all while not have two minutes to go to the bathroom. I get it, I spent many years in the classroom, and I know it’s only gotten worse for educators.

Let’s explore three essential online tools that can help you easily take care of your mental, emotional, and physical health. With online tools, you barely have to think, you just have to do it.

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How to Leverage Data Analytics with EdTech to Support Student Progress
Data, Tech Tools Carrie Conover Data, Tech Tools Carrie Conover

How to Leverage Data Analytics with EdTech to Support Student Progress

With the vast amounts of data generated by EdTech platforms, teachers now have a unique opportunity to harness the power of data analytics to drive student progress.

By leveraging data analytics, you can gain valuable insights into student performance, personalize learning experiences, and make data-driven decisions to enhance the educational journey.

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3 Tools to Support and Engage English Language Learners
ELL, Student Engagement Carrie Conover ELL, Student Engagement Carrie Conover

3 Tools to Support and Engage English Language Learners

Finding ways to engage English Language Learners (ELLs) in an effective and meaningful way can be tricky. How can you support all students and make a lasting impact? EdTech tools can help.

EdTech tools are an amazing way to reach all students where they are. Here are some top EdTech tools for supporting those learning English as a second language in your classroom.

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5 Essential Cybersecurity Tools for Teachers and Students
Security, Tech Tools Carrie Conover Security, Tech Tools Carrie Conover

5 Essential Cybersecurity Tools for Teachers and Students

Cybersecurity in the classroom can be a pretty daunting concern to educators - so much so that you might wonder if all the tech is worth the risks. Well, there are tons of ways to defend yourself and your students from dangers online so you can peacefully enjoy all the benefits of EdTech programs and research tools.

Here are five essential cybersecurity tools to use in your classroom and teach your students to use at home.

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What's New in Canva for Education: AI, Accessibility, Safety, and More
Design, Engagement, AI Carrie Conover Design, Engagement, AI Carrie Conover

What's New in Canva for Education: AI, Accessibility, Safety, and More

Canva has always been at the forefront of empowering students and teachers, providing classrooms with technology that fuels creativity and design literacy. In this episode, we'll explore the incredible features and benefits that Canva’s new suite of products brings to the table.

With host Carrie Conover, we’ll discuss what’s changed for Canva, especially in its new AI tools, how teachers can use it to instruct all students, and how students can gain powerful skills in design.

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How Teachers Can Use EdTech Tools for Student Mental Health
Well-Being Carrie Conover Well-Being Carrie Conover

How Teachers Can Use EdTech Tools for Student Mental Health

While EdTech tools are often associated with instruction and practice, they can also play a significant role in supporting student mental health. With EdTech, teachers can create a positive and supportive environment that promotes well-being and addresses the unique challenges students may face in this new era.

Here are some ways teachers can use EdTech tools to prioritize student mental health.

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4 Fun and Easy-to-Use Positive Behavior Apps For Your Classroom
Classroom Management Connor McQueen Classroom Management Connor McQueen

4 Fun and Easy-to-Use Positive Behavior Apps For Your Classroom

Less than half of students reported that they were engaged with school in 2021. Sometimes, it takes a little extra motivation to fully grab students’ attention. This inevitably puts a lot of responsibility on the teacher to do everything he or she can to reel the kids in.

Take a look at these awesome positive behavior apps/websites that will motivate your class to be the best that they can be.

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