Dictate in any app · Education

Voice typing in Seesaw

Seesaw connects classrooms to families, which doubles a teacher's writing. With Typally you hold a hotkey, speak, and the text lands in Seesaw exactly where your cursor was.

Yes, we build Typally. That is also why the section on Seesaw's built-in option is honest: people who switch after trying both are the ones who stay.
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In short

  • Seesaw's own dictation: Audio and video comment recording for feedback.
  • What Typally does instead: covers Seesaw and every other program on the machine with one hotkey.
  • Best used for: feedback on student work

Does Seesaw have built-in dictation?

Audio and video comment recording for feedback.

Why dictate in Seesaw at all?

Primary teachers document learning for parents as well as assessing it. Written feedback that families can read, search and revisit is more useful than a voice note, and there is no time for either.

In practice people use it for: Feedback on student work, family updates, activity instructions, and class announcements.

How to dictate in Seesaw

Because Typally types at the system level rather than plugging into Seesaw, setup is the same everywhere:

1

Install Typally

Windows or macOS, then sign in. No card for the free tier.

2

In Seesaw, click the field before you speak

Put the cursor in the field you are about to fill — Seesaw decides where the text lands, not Typally.

3

Hold the hotkey and talk

Say the whole thought, then let go. No time limit.

4

Read it before you move on

Seesaw offers audio comments, which are a different thing from text — a recording cannot be skimmed by a parent.

What Typally adds in Seesaw

Typally types into Seesaw's feedback and instruction fields, so a class of thirty can each receive a specific written comment within a break. Text is what a parent can actually read at the school gate, which audio comments are not.

What this looks like in practice

A teacher gives written feedback on thirty pieces of work in one break by speaking it. Families read it that evening rather than waiting for the recording nobody had time to play.

One habit that makes it work better

Write text feedback rather than recording audio. Families can read it on a phone in a supermarket queue, which is where most school communication is actually consumed.

What to watch out for in Seesaw

Seesaw offers audio comments, which are a different thing from text — a recording cannot be skimmed by a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Does Seesaw have audio feedback?

Yes, you can record comments. Text is more useful to families because it can be skimmed and revisited.

Can I dictate activity instructions?

Yes — instruction fields are ordinary text inputs.

Is student information sensitive?

Yes. Treat anything identifying a child with the care your school policy requires.

Try it in Seesaw

Free plan: 100 minutes of dictation a month, no card. Pro is $7.99/month if you want more.

Try Typally free

Also dictate in: ClassDojo · Google Classroom · Canvas · see all apps