Terrific Tiles

Using the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner:  Manage and Organize, 2.1.2 Organize knowledge so that it is useful. 2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information. and 3.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to organize and display knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view, use and assess.,  the American Association of School Librarians selected the web 2.0 application, Symbaloo . 

Symbaloo is a means of organizing a start-up page that contains all those web sites used most frequently at a glance; Your Personal Internet Desktop.  For education its function could be to organize a start-up page with links to all those resources for a particular project or special links for a specific class or grade.  It is free and very easy to use.

To register for a free account give your name, email address, generate a password and designate by checking a box whether you want a newsletter and if you accept the terms of use and privacy policy of the site.

To start click on a tile just to see the results.  Tiles can be dragged and dropped, added or deleted.  The center box is where applications such as searching in Google, checking your email or viewing the news will appear.  Those tiles are widget tiles.

If you are searching for a particular web site or subject just type it in the search box in the upper right hand corner.  If a particular web site is not listed as a result of a search, Symbaloo allows the user to create their own tile by typing in the URL. Text and tile color can be chosen as well as uploading an image for the tile.  Tiles can be as generic or personal as the user desires.

 A new webmix can be created for each subject and a user can toggle between them using the tabs.  To add a new webmix click on the +. 

There is a Share icon in the upper right hand corner.  When clicked it gives the creator two options: share with the world or share with friends.  Share with the world places your Symbaloo in the Symbaloo Gallery.  Share with friends means that the Symbaloo can be sent via email or posted to Facebook, Twitter or Hyves.  The application gives you a link to your specific Symbaloo that can be copied and pasted.  If you so desire the Symbaloo can be removed from the Gallery.  Even when shared it can be continually updated.

Without parental consent users need to be 16 years of age.  At the bottom of the page is a blog and help option. 

There is a companion web site better aimed toward educators--SymbalooEDU .  The pre-designed entry level webmix is more relative to the intended audience.  Read this announcement of the official launch in September of 2010.

Here is a link to the Symbaloo I have created for school.  It is a work in progress.