Junior School Learning Online

By Elizabeth Gasparini

Integration is one of the cornerstones of the PYP and integrating teaching and learning with technology has been both a goal and a notable success this year in the Junior School. With the adoption of Seesaw as a learning platform for students’ learning journals, teachers, students and administrators have expanded their technology skillset and redefined communication and learning experiences for our students. 

This platform has proven to be especially critical in the last few weeks of online learning at our school. Although there were some initial hitches with signing on from home and gaining access to all of the resources, our entire community of teachers, families and support staff persevered to make sure each and every student and parent was able to access the lessons and communicate with their teachers and the other students in order to continue learning.

Seesaw’s online learning journal ensures that students are using technology in a purposeful and authentic environment through creative and dynamic communication and the use of information strategies. Not only is this tool being used to deliver information but it also allows students to create and share their learning in powerful and motivating formats, from video and audio narration to illustration and diagramming. In addition, other apps are being utilized to facilitate experiences such as class meetings and student conferences through Google Meet, Skype interviews/visits, e-books, mind mapping apps, online reading and math programs. All of these opportunities are changing the way our students are organizing their thinking and taking responsibility for their learning.

Overall, students report that, even though they would prefer to be learning on campus, technology enhances learning from home because it is fun. They also suggest that technology facilitates communication with their teachers and helps them with research and asking questions. Students also learn how things work, they find pictures and videos that help with comprehension, and the technology facilitates many different learning experiences. Also, importantly, parents can easily access homework and learning expectations to support their children as much as possible.