Our eyes have gotten used to Apps...no one wants to read the url for a site when they can click a cute little square. How can we achieve that look without the pricey hardware? Some free software is helping fill the void. In schools with monthly Cluster we have introduced both Chrome Apps and Symbaloo. Both help us with a white board display of links for use in the classroom with whole group or at a computer with small groups to narrow online choices.
Chrome Apps are purchased at the Chrome Store from Google. You will need a Google account (any, like g-mail) so that your Apps page(s) will be created just for your ID. These apps are available to you or your students from any computer which has a Chrome browser you can log into. This means you can use the apps for them to use in a center or at the white board.
Symbaloo is an online bookmarker, but the interface is tiles not URLs. You need an account at edu.symbaloo.com. This means that you can access them at any computer that has internet. This site has more control over the setup of the page than Chrome Apps. There are thousands of teacher-made webmixes for you to search through and use or modify. They have a distinct URL so that you can allow students to access your webmix from home or other places with internet. You can also embed them into a presentation/flipchart/notebook or add to your school page. OR you can teach your students how to make their own with a template they can add to with links, Google Docs, videos, vokis, other webmixes for a Personal Learning Environment (PLE).
Symbaloo also has webmixes with a $10 (and other) course to be Certified as a teacher which brings with it a webmix for your students to use to get certified...this one is free.
Enjoy!
Symbaloo also has webmixes with a $10 (and other) course to be Certified as a teacher which brings with it a webmix for your students to use to get certified...this one is free.Enjoy!
