SYMBALOO

SYMBALOO

Symbaloo is a powerful tool for organizing and managing digital resources in a highly visual and accessible way, and I’ve set it up to streamline my day-to-day activities efficiently. By grouping all essential links and resources into one centralized dashboard, Symbaloo helps cut down on the clutter of individual bookmarks and tabs, creating a clear, easy-to-navigate hub for my most-used websites and applications.

Organisation

I structured my Symbaloo layout based on the frequency and purpose of use, so I can access what I need in seconds. In the top left corner, I have my links related to music and TV. These are resources I enjoy using for relaxation, so having them grouped together in one place adds convenience and reduces the time spent searching. Moving over to the top right, I’ve gathered my social media links. This separation of "leisure" and "social" areas makes it easy to toggle between them when needed.

In the center, I’ve placed Google Search as my primary search engine, keeping it front and center for quick access. This layout feels intuitive since Google is central to almost everything I do online, making it handy for fast lookups or research without disrupting my workflow. At the bottom, I’ve organized academic and work-related links, such as Google and Microsoft apps, online dictionaries, and my university’s webpage. By consolidating all my academic tools in one spot, I can easily access everything I need for studying or work without needing to jump between tabs or apps.

Setup

This layout is incredibly practical because it provides both simplicity and speed. By organizing links into clearly defined categories, Symbaloo allows me to instantly find what I need, whether I’m studying, working, or simply browsing for fun. For instance, having all my academic and professional resources at the bottom allows me to enter a focused "work zone" with minimal distraction. I also save time daily by not having to sift through irrelevant bookmarks or cluttered files, which makes Symbaloo a true productivity booster.

Compared to traditional bookmarks

Symbaloo’s visual dashboard is a major improvement over traditional bookmarking systems because it enables a spatial and color-coded organization that’s easier to navigate. Each customizable tile is both visually appealing and practical, allowing for clear categorization of resources. This layout makes it far simpler to distinguish between different types of resources compared to the often chaotic nature of a typical bookmark bar. The format also feels adaptable, so I can easily add or rearrange tiles based on my evolving needs.

Personal thoughts

Overall, I find Symbaloo to be an invaluable tool for digital organization. I appreciate how it allows for a clean, organized layout that’s tailored to my unique needs. Although there aren’t a large number of links on my dashboard, each one is thoughtfully selected to meet my regular needs, making it both complete and efficient. The balance of aesthetics and functionality makes Symbaloo enjoyable to use, and I genuinely feel it contributes to a smoother, more organized digital experience.

Final Symbaloo

I added tools like Quilt, Kahoot, Voki, Educaplay, Wordwall, and Genially to my Symbaloo because I learned how to use them in this course, and I know they’ll be super useful for me as a teacher.

With these new resources, I created an “Education” section in my Symbaloo,  a bit separate from my personal links and next to the other tool related to studies/education. Each tool has a specific role in my teaching:

• Quizlet helps me create flashcards and study sets, which make reviewing and reinforcing concepts easier for students.
• Kahoot makes quizzes and review games way more fun and engaging for my students.
• Voki allows me to create speaking avatars, which are a fun way to present information.
• Educaplay gives me access to interactive activities like crosswords and matching exercises that reinforce key ideas.
• Wordwall helps me make custom games for my lessons, keeping students actively involved.
• Genially is perfect for creating interactive presentations, helping me explain complex topics in a more visual, engaging way.

Setup

With all these tools organized in one place, I can easily access each resource during lessons without wasting time. It’s like having a digital toolkit ready to go, so I’m more prepared and can quickly switch activities based on what my students need.

Personal thoughts

Thanks to this course, I’ve discovered new tools that make my teaching more interactive and organized. Symbaloo now feels like my own teaching assistant, helping me stay organized and focused while keeping my students engaged.