EEND676B- Reflective Post 1

Within Module 2 we were give the task to critically evaluate two different collaborative web tools. We were asked to look at different facets of these platforms: including the age appropriateness, user friendliness, the impact on student learning, and then give each platform an overall recommendation. I selected this assignment as an artifact for my blog, as I was able to critically evaluate two collaborative web tools that are either mandated for staff/student use or wildly popular for primary teachers in District 203 to incorporate within their classrooms.

As mentioned above Canvas, is a collaborative web tool that is mandated for teacher/student use by our school district. It is strongly encouraged that all teachers use Canvas as their home landing page for their students. Some teachers have used their Canvas sites more for student collaboration, while other teachers use Canvas as a way to communicate with parents. This assignment allowed me to look at the appropriateness of Canvas for my kindergarten students, which I found that Canvas is totally in appropriate for my kindergarten students to use within my classroom. Canvas instead should be used as a way for parents to interact and learn important things happening within our classroom.

SeeSaw on the other hand is a collaborative web tool, that many primary educators within District 203 have integrated within their classrooms. SeeSaw is hands-down more appropriate for my young learners. It is user friendly and intuitive to use. My students are easily able to navigate SeeSaw, to share their thinking with little assistance. They've taken ownership of their learning and collaboration with peers.

When I completed this assignment it was still very early in the school year. I was struggling to try and incorporate Canvas within my classroom. Canvas was difficult for my 2nd grade students to use in years past, however it was manageable with lots of direct instruction and practice. I knew that it would be even more difficult to try and teach my kindergartners how to utilize Canvas. However, after closely evaluating/comparing these two collaborative web tools, I felt more confident in my choice to Canvas for parent communication/important facts, and SeeSaw for student collaboration and growth. This course helped to solidify that decision and provide the background information I need to support my decision to move forward with SeeSaw. Consequently, my students now use SeeSaw multiple time per week to document their learning and to collaborate with their peers.