Symbaloo - Organize Websites You Use

So we have all had the problem when we find a website, link video, etc that we love and we used last year in the classroom and then we can't find it, even after saving it to our web browser's bookmarks because there are 200 addresses saved.

There is a quick fix that is easy to use for you and your students and it is called Symbaloo!

This cloud based website (you can get to it from anywhere and any device with Internet) allows you to organize and save links that you want to save.

Here is what a sample page of links looks like...

This is just one page and you ca make pages for different subjects, grades, classes, etc. (really however you want to organize them).

The graphics in the squares are nice for a quick visual and you can also name them for a second reference.

I have found that students like using this as well for the various websites that they use often at our middle school.

Some links that they regularly have on their Symbaloo page are:

• Every teacher's website
• Online textbook for applicable classes
• IXL Math practice
• Khan Academy
• Quia
• Quizlet
• School Website
• Other

In addition, many students end up appreciating the organization and use the Symbaloo for personal use and organize according to interest.

Students also switch from one device to another often. This means they can access from phones, iPods, iPads, computers and netbooks.

Here is an excellent introductory video made by Symbaloo themselves!

For those that want something a little more in-depth this video is great and it is made by a 7th grade student.

Thanks for reading,

SET

Simple Website to Practice Estimating Percents

If you want to practice estimating percents a great way to do this is by using the real world example of bills and tips at restaurants.

Head on over to Funbrain to play a quick game with levels difficulty to practice this skill. Servers will thank you! :)

Here is what you can expect!

Quick tip for testing new tech

Ever fear that a new technology resource won't work when you go to try it out in class?

A great way to get a feel for how it will work is to have a few students try it out in class or at home and get feedback before introducing it to the masses.

Another great way is to put feelers out on Twitter using hash tags that include the name and/or #edtech #edtechchat or your subject like #msmathchat or #mathchat

Just a couple ways to wade through the black hole of the internet to find solid technology resources.

Thanks for reading,
SET

You NEED a PDF app.

As information becomes more and more digital I think it is necessary to have an app for your phone and/or iPad (if available) to create digital content our of paper content.

My favorite app for the iPad/iPhone is called FasterScanHD.

I use this weekly to change worksheets into PDFs which I then store on my Google Drive for later use.

Here is how it works.

1) Open app
2) Snap a picture of the item
3) Easy steps to enhance the picture
4)Save
5) Email it to yourself to save on computer and/or Google Drive (If you pay for the upgrade you can put it right in your Google Drive or elsewhere more easily...but I'm cheap)

This one works so well that it is all I use. However, I know not everyone has an iPad/iPhone so here is an Android option that I tested and it worked well.

Camscanner worked functionally well and if I did not have the iPad option I would likely use this with my Samsung Galaxy phone.

Feel free to comment with what you like to use and how you use it.

Thanks for reading,
SET

Google Classroom: Just Getting Warmed Up

In case you have not heard, Google Classroom has taken many classrooms by storm. I suggest taking a moment to get yourself acquainted with their introductory video.

The general idea of Google Classroom at this point is that it is a simpler version of LMS's (Learning Management Systems) such as Edmodo and Schoology (both of which I have used in the past). You can see their dedication to simplicity in this graphic.

At this point in time Google Classroom does not have any features as the other LMS's but what they do they do well and I'd imagine that there is more on the way. When at a Google conference a few months ago the keynote speaker worked in Google's Chromebooks for Education department and said big things were on the way. I also like that when Google tends to do things they do them very well.

What I use Classroom for and why I like it!

1) It organizes assignments directly into your Google Drive by assignment and student name automatically.

2) It is easy to set up a new class.

3) When I have a sub I make an announcement on Classroom. Students can see the plans for the day and I can include any links to videos, notes, pdfs, or anything else I want students to have access to.

4) It allows students to turn assignments in in a variety of ways. Some examples would be: as a Google Doc, Google Presentation, a link to anything that they have made elsewhere like a Prezi or iMovie, they can take pics of assignments with their web cams, and upload anything that they can. It is very versatile.

5) Google makes simple changes that keep making the experience better and better seemingly from teacher feedback.

6) It is intuitive to use in general.

7) Students log in with their school username and password.

8) It just works.

One feature that I've heard some buzz about that I am really looking forward to is the attaching of some sort of assessment feature that would be similar to what the other LMS's use or like Quia.

Thanks for reading and please share how you use Google Classroom or how you plan to use it,
SET