![Picture](/uploads/4/9/6/2/49628417/329141609.jpg?300)
Introduction to Applications
Our class discussion with Dr. Baylen (2016) in Go To Meeting defined an application as something students learn from during a lesson. Is there really an app for everything? Well, when I first flipped my curriculum to include more technology-based student-led instruction, I attended a technology conference that exposed me to about twenty new applications in one day. If there is not app for everything, it is not for lack of effort. I was overwhelmed and excited at the same time. One of the applications that I immediately put to use was for creating webmixes called SymbalooEDU. I was able to create a theme-based webmix, or a collection of internet links related to one topic organized on one screen, pretty quickly and share it. Another app that was mentioned and demonstrated briefly was Stop Motion Studios, an application that animates a series of still photos. My brain lit on fire! I could expect my students to read from the links I provided in the Symbaloo, then animate what they learned using Stop Motion Studio. The example the instructor gave us to look at was a water cycle Symbaloo, and then she demonstrated how it worked. When she showed us the Stop Motion Studio video, I immediately thought how cool it would be to have the students make a video that demonstrated the water cycle. Since then, I have used Symbaloo to share unit links with my students and offered Stop Motion Studio as an option for the final project.
Our class discussion with Dr. Baylen (2016) in Go To Meeting defined an application as something students learn from during a lesson. Is there really an app for everything? Well, when I first flipped my curriculum to include more technology-based student-led instruction, I attended a technology conference that exposed me to about twenty new applications in one day. If there is not app for everything, it is not for lack of effort. I was overwhelmed and excited at the same time. One of the applications that I immediately put to use was for creating webmixes called SymbalooEDU. I was able to create a theme-based webmix, or a collection of internet links related to one topic organized on one screen, pretty quickly and share it. Another app that was mentioned and demonstrated briefly was Stop Motion Studios, an application that animates a series of still photos. My brain lit on fire! I could expect my students to read from the links I provided in the Symbaloo, then animate what they learned using Stop Motion Studio. The example the instructor gave us to look at was a water cycle Symbaloo, and then she demonstrated how it worked. When she showed us the Stop Motion Studio video, I immediately thought how cool it would be to have the students make a video that demonstrated the water cycle. Since then, I have used Symbaloo to share unit links with my students and offered Stop Motion Studio as an option for the final project.
![Picture](/uploads/4/9/6/2/49628417/symbaloo_orig.jpg)
Application #1 and Description
SymbalooEDU
SymbalooEDU is a colorful bookmarking webmix organizer that enables teachers to share a thematic collection of internet links for students to read from anywhere that has internet connection.
Features. Each webmix can be personalized using pictures for the background and for each little tile that marks the individual links. The tiles may be colorfully titled or numbered, or both, so students know where to begin and ultimately where to end. It is multipurpose. For example, if students had websites they created, a teacher could create a Symbaloo with all of their links bookmarked in one spot. The Symbaloo could even be named for the class and kept private for just the instructor to use.
Reason for Selecting This Application
In an effort to challenge my students to become better readers, I sought applications that would require them to read on their own. I also needed the information to be available to 120 learners at once, so they could work at their own pace without the expense of paper and books. “For English language educators, it has numerous uses from providing learners with mixes of essential resources such as dictionaries, online concordance software and APA referencing guides to specific skills and grammar webmixes using links to YouTube video tutorials and grammar practice websites” (Harwood, 2016, p. 206). Because the school system can not afford to purchase new resources every year (or for the last ten years), Symbaloo was the best choice for my students.
Evaluation of the Application
Content
This application lends itself well to the flipped classroom environment because each
customizable webmix can be aligned with the standards. The resource is easily updated in real
time by the instructor; revising is effortless (Harwood, 2016, p. 205). The images used for the
background and for the individual tiles offer an indirect visual learning opportunity too. This
application is not only new and modern with today’s trends, it can be an effective differentiation
tool with visual, read-write, and kinesthetic learners. If you find yourself puzzled by some aspect
of the site, the “Home” page tab has a tile with a video symbol on it. As this tile links the user to
an informational video outlining how Symbaloo can work in the educator’s classroom, teachers
will see there are many other ways they can offer differentiation in a lesson plan using the
program for their students too.
Support
Click on the Symbaloo “Home” tab, then select the “Symbaloo Features” tile for a complete set
of tutorial links related to a host of questions one might have about Symbaloo. My students
figured it out with minimal help from me in the classroom. There is a lesson plan template on the
“Features” tab too, but it lacks real material. Recognizing that Symbaloo does not offer lesson
plans on their website, Graphite.org offers educators tips for using Symbaloo and provides a link
to lesson plans. As an additional bonus, the program updates automatically and is unnoticeable.
Assessment
Because it is a webmix collection of links designed by the teacher, website addresses to
online tests can be placed in a tile and labeled as such. The program does not offer any
assessments or collect data for the educator.
Cost
The application is free to use and does not require additional software to run it. An account is
required, and can be easily set up using your Google Account. Students can create their own
free Symbaloos with their Google Accounts too.
Ease of Use
As soon as you enter the website platform, you may begin using the preset tiles. If you plan to
submit your own webmix to the students, you will need to set up an account which only takes a
couple of minutes Navigating through the set up process and making tiles with the links is pretty
straightforward using the “+” sign at the top of the page, then clicking on the square you wish to
use. It is really pretty self-explanatory. Of special importance, to use the program did not
require any further hardware or software purchases and was operable immediately on a 2007
Samsung laptop. Accessing your Symbaloo collections can be done from anywhere internet is
available using your username and password. Your Symbaloos can be shared publicly or
privately by choice.
Reviews
No trial copies are necessary since it is free; however, if you want to try it before you set up
your free account, the Home tab has lots of interesting links preset and ready to us. The app is
available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch at no charge and with an average rating of 4 ½ stars
too. So, what are you waiting for, get started clicking those links!
SymbalooEDU
SymbalooEDU is a colorful bookmarking webmix organizer that enables teachers to share a thematic collection of internet links for students to read from anywhere that has internet connection.
Features. Each webmix can be personalized using pictures for the background and for each little tile that marks the individual links. The tiles may be colorfully titled or numbered, or both, so students know where to begin and ultimately where to end. It is multipurpose. For example, if students had websites they created, a teacher could create a Symbaloo with all of their links bookmarked in one spot. The Symbaloo could even be named for the class and kept private for just the instructor to use.
Reason for Selecting This Application
In an effort to challenge my students to become better readers, I sought applications that would require them to read on their own. I also needed the information to be available to 120 learners at once, so they could work at their own pace without the expense of paper and books. “For English language educators, it has numerous uses from providing learners with mixes of essential resources such as dictionaries, online concordance software and APA referencing guides to specific skills and grammar webmixes using links to YouTube video tutorials and grammar practice websites” (Harwood, 2016, p. 206). Because the school system can not afford to purchase new resources every year (or for the last ten years), Symbaloo was the best choice for my students.
Evaluation of the Application
Content
This application lends itself well to the flipped classroom environment because each
customizable webmix can be aligned with the standards. The resource is easily updated in real
time by the instructor; revising is effortless (Harwood, 2016, p. 205). The images used for the
background and for the individual tiles offer an indirect visual learning opportunity too. This
application is not only new and modern with today’s trends, it can be an effective differentiation
tool with visual, read-write, and kinesthetic learners. If you find yourself puzzled by some aspect
of the site, the “Home” page tab has a tile with a video symbol on it. As this tile links the user to
an informational video outlining how Symbaloo can work in the educator’s classroom, teachers
will see there are many other ways they can offer differentiation in a lesson plan using the
program for their students too.
Support
Click on the Symbaloo “Home” tab, then select the “Symbaloo Features” tile for a complete set
of tutorial links related to a host of questions one might have about Symbaloo. My students
figured it out with minimal help from me in the classroom. There is a lesson plan template on the
“Features” tab too, but it lacks real material. Recognizing that Symbaloo does not offer lesson
plans on their website, Graphite.org offers educators tips for using Symbaloo and provides a link
to lesson plans. As an additional bonus, the program updates automatically and is unnoticeable.
Assessment
Because it is a webmix collection of links designed by the teacher, website addresses to
online tests can be placed in a tile and labeled as such. The program does not offer any
assessments or collect data for the educator.
Cost
The application is free to use and does not require additional software to run it. An account is
required, and can be easily set up using your Google Account. Students can create their own
free Symbaloos with their Google Accounts too.
Ease of Use
As soon as you enter the website platform, you may begin using the preset tiles. If you plan to
submit your own webmix to the students, you will need to set up an account which only takes a
couple of minutes Navigating through the set up process and making tiles with the links is pretty
straightforward using the “+” sign at the top of the page, then clicking on the square you wish to
use. It is really pretty self-explanatory. Of special importance, to use the program did not
require any further hardware or software purchases and was operable immediately on a 2007
Samsung laptop. Accessing your Symbaloo collections can be done from anywhere internet is
available using your username and password. Your Symbaloos can be shared publicly or
privately by choice.
Reviews
No trial copies are necessary since it is free; however, if you want to try it before you set up
your free account, the Home tab has lots of interesting links preset and ready to us. The app is
available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch at no charge and with an average rating of 4 ½ stars
too. So, what are you waiting for, get started clicking those links!
![Picture](/uploads/4/9/6/2/49628417/stop-motion-studio-logo.png?184)
Application #2 and Description
Stop Motion Studio app
Features
The application offers a selection of music and sound effects that make the animations come to life—even crowd cheering! There are different formats too. If the setting requires an old timey look, the students can select that filter. It can also do replay for easier editing.
Reason for Selecting This Tool
In an effort to challenge my students to demonstrate their knowledge of a topic, I challenged them to create a stop motion video. They were given all the necessary supplies and they really came through with some interesting videos. I felt like I could benefit from learning more about what others were doing with the application so I wanted to research it and share it.
Evaluation of the Tool
Content
The creators of this application understood the need for a simple application. It is perfectly school appropriate. It does not
frustrate the user with complicated measurements or graphics. It appeals to visual learners, read write learners, and kinesthetic
learners. The assignments that could be associated with this application would align easily with reading, listening, and viewing
standards for education. It is easy to download and updates are smooth.
Support
The app offers a “?” in the top left corner of the screen. When you touch it, a drop down menu offers “Help,” and “Report a
Problem” along with a couple of other choices. When you click on the help space, a list of anticipated topics is offered. The
help tips are illustrated and thorough.
Assessment
Because it is a video making program, the application does not offer any assessments or collect data for the educator. The final
research-based video report would be peer evaluated by a rubric and by the instructor.
Cost
The application is free to use and does not require additional software to run it. Students can create their own free stop motion
videos with their own iPhone or iPad.
Ease of Use
As soon as the application is loaded, students can begin snapping the sequence pictures they will need for their video. I would
caution them to have lots of memory cleared for the 200+ pictures they will need for the completion of the video. Plus they will
need a YouTube account to upload the video to afterwards.
Reviews
No trial copies are needed because a free version is offered. The app store was loaded with happy patrons who gave it multiple stars averaging 4 stars. The chief complaint was that sometimes the images seemed to distort. I liked it so much that I bought the $4.99 Pro package for my use.
Conclusion
Both are applications that I would recommend to new teachers entering the classroom because of how easy they are to use, and because the students love to engage in learning with technology.
References
Baylen, D. (2016, June 15). Speech presented with Go to Meeting online, Carrollton.
Harwood, R. (2016). Personal Learning Environments: A Solution for Self-Directed Learners.
Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 60(4), 199-215.
Stop Motion Studio app
Features
The application offers a selection of music and sound effects that make the animations come to life—even crowd cheering! There are different formats too. If the setting requires an old timey look, the students can select that filter. It can also do replay for easier editing.
Reason for Selecting This Tool
In an effort to challenge my students to demonstrate their knowledge of a topic, I challenged them to create a stop motion video. They were given all the necessary supplies and they really came through with some interesting videos. I felt like I could benefit from learning more about what others were doing with the application so I wanted to research it and share it.
Evaluation of the Tool
Content
The creators of this application understood the need for a simple application. It is perfectly school appropriate. It does not
frustrate the user with complicated measurements or graphics. It appeals to visual learners, read write learners, and kinesthetic
learners. The assignments that could be associated with this application would align easily with reading, listening, and viewing
standards for education. It is easy to download and updates are smooth.
Support
The app offers a “?” in the top left corner of the screen. When you touch it, a drop down menu offers “Help,” and “Report a
Problem” along with a couple of other choices. When you click on the help space, a list of anticipated topics is offered. The
help tips are illustrated and thorough.
Assessment
Because it is a video making program, the application does not offer any assessments or collect data for the educator. The final
research-based video report would be peer evaluated by a rubric and by the instructor.
Cost
The application is free to use and does not require additional software to run it. Students can create their own free stop motion
videos with their own iPhone or iPad.
Ease of Use
As soon as the application is loaded, students can begin snapping the sequence pictures they will need for their video. I would
caution them to have lots of memory cleared for the 200+ pictures they will need for the completion of the video. Plus they will
need a YouTube account to upload the video to afterwards.
Reviews
No trial copies are needed because a free version is offered. The app store was loaded with happy patrons who gave it multiple stars averaging 4 stars. The chief complaint was that sometimes the images seemed to distort. I liked it so much that I bought the $4.99 Pro package for my use.
Conclusion
Both are applications that I would recommend to new teachers entering the classroom because of how easy they are to use, and because the students love to engage in learning with technology.
References
Baylen, D. (2016, June 15). Speech presented with Go to Meeting online, Carrollton.
Harwood, R. (2016). Personal Learning Environments: A Solution for Self-Directed Learners.
Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 60(4), 199-215.