Sesame IO, a startup that formerly graduated from the Next 36 program as well as the University of Waterloo’s VeloCity program, has launched its new product for parents, students and teachers. It’s called “Sesame Snap”.
The last time we heard from the Toronto startup was in January, when Sesame IO and seven other startups were invited to join the VeloCity garage for its new cohort.
Sesame is a free online platform that lets kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers connect all of the everyday notable moments to make each student’s learning process visible. Teachers can collaboratively plan lessons on a calendar, capture student progress through photos, videos and audio recordings via the Sesame Snap app on their mobile devices, and record evaluations such as rubrics and checklists. Every student has a personalized learning portfolio filled with real evidence and feedback across all subject areas and grade levels that can be shared with other teachers and parents.
The new Sesame Snap app was never actually announced until today though, said Sesame’s water boy, Ian Tao. It was launched for iPhones, iPads and iPods, and it helps teachers and students “tell the stories that report cards can’t by building personal portfolios.”
Sesame IO decided to send us a model portfolio of an insanely cute little pre-school student:
Parents are also able to stay immediately connected to what and how their kids are doing in school, instead of being surprised on parent-teacher night or report cards every few months.
Sesame IO said teachers from around the world have already created over 13,000 student portfolios.