As a teacher it can be difficult to find time for implementing new teaching strategies, classroom management, and technology. And just as you find something new and fun to use with students, it seems that every teacher on the hall is doing the same thing. The students walk into the room with an expression on their face, as if to say, not THIS again.
Many teachers have procedures built-in to the beginning of each class. Students come in, get unpacked, start to work on 'Bellwork' (or similar name), while the teacher takes attendance and passes out work. This works well, but gets old after a while. Students lose interest and you feel pressured to make each day new and fresh to keep their waining attention.
Instead of pulling your hair out trying to think of new 'Bellwork' each day, why not let the students choose how they want to do their 'Bellwork.' Sign them up for a Symbaloo account, suggest Sites and links while they find a few on their own, and let them use all the tools they collect to impress you with their creativity in displaying what they know.
All you have to do is come up with questions to ask, and let the students do all the work finding the answers and presenting what they found in new and interesting ways. If you highlight student work and allow them to share ideas with the class, you may be astounded with the creative answers and presentation ideas!
For a great example of how one student is using Symbaloo to complete assignments, check out this student tutorial:
