Introducing the App or Tool of the Week .....

Introducing the App or Tool of the Week .....

I have learned a lot in the past year or so about different apps for my iPad and web tools I can use for my personal, professional, and classroom.  My toolbox is over flowing with these tools so I thought it was time to start sharing my favorites.  At least once a week I am going to try to share an app or tool I have found very useful.  To launch the App or Tool of the Week I wanted to start off with a tool I use daily which is Symbaloo.

Symbaloo is a pin type of board a.k.a a webmix or social bookmarking tool.  It can be private just for you or you can share it.  I love it because I can organize my resources, student examples, and tools on a webmix and share it.  One of the features I love the most is the ability to embed a webmix on to my classroom website.  This helps me guide my students to where I want them to go.  There is no more of me hearing "Where do I do to go Mrs. Wilson.", "What was that address again.", or my favorite one "I can't find it, I think you told me wrong".

Another feature I really like is that you can copy and add links to other webmix without losing the original link.  For example if I want 4 groups to have the same resource all I have to do is add it to one webmix and then copy it over to the other 3.

To Get Started Making a Webmix:

• First you will need to create an account.
• There are many ways of doing things what I find easy in making a webmix is to click on the "Plus Sign" that is located under my name at the top right hand side of the screen.
• Name your webmix.
• Click the "ADD" button.
• Next it is time to add a website or URL.  Click on a Square.
• Click Create Title.
• Add your web address where it says http:// - The easiest way is to copy and paste directly from the website to avoid typos.
• You can modify your square by telling it to show the a Title, changing the color, adding a graphic, and etc... 
• Click the "SAVE" button when you are finished.
• If you don't like where the square ended up you can drag and drop it to the location on the webmix you desire.

Tips:

• Copy and Paste the URL instead of typing it in.
• When you add a new square update your webmix.
• Stay organized.  If you have resources on a topic I would group them together. 
• You can color code your squares.
• Check to see if your link you just added takes you where you want it to go.

Some of My Webmixes:

• Web Tools Part II
• Teach Tech to Grades 3-4
• Digital Stories 2013
• Endangered Animals
• My Portfolio