Padlet

Padlet is a website and app that allows students to curate information onto virtual boards called Padlets. The free version only allows for three Padlets, but upgrading won't break the bank if it's a tool you want to use consistently. Teachers can share boards via links or QR codes, or students can create their own, but either way, blank pages quickly fill up with videos, text, links, documents, GIFs, images -- basically anything -- for other users to see. Kids can add as many notes to a wall as they like, but unless they add their names to each one, teachers won't know who's posting what. Teachers can add moderators and turn on comments and voting features for more collaboration. As added checks against inappropriate content, moderators can turn on profanity filters, screen all posts before making them visible, or require that students display their names on the board.

Students can also upload documents they've created, such as class notes or completed assignments. More than one person can contribute to a Padlet wall, opening the door to teamwork and group projects. Once kids create a wall, there are tons of ways to share it: socially, via Google Classroom, by exporting it to a file, embedding it in a blog or website, or turning it into a QR code. There's also the option to keep walls private, of course. Padlet offers lots of places to get support, including social media pages, an entertaining blog, a FAQ section, and plenty of use cases. A paid upgrade offers features specific to educators' needs, including unlimited Padlets, more upload space, folders, and priority support.

There are plenty of online collaboration sites out there, but Padlet is one of the more intuitive options that allows for tons of media types. Customization options let kids express themselves and really take ownership of their projects. It's an excellent tool for reflection, too. Kids can share written responses, recordings, images, and more, offering easy opportunities to respond in a way that matches their comfort level. The depth of interactions depends on how you set up the walls, but the developer's website and social media pages share lots of helpful examples.

Teachers can choose how they set up their Padlet walls with respect to privacy so that they can catch inappropriate or error-riddled posts and edit them before sharing with the class. This takes a bit of extra time, but it's time well-spent to encourage continued student participation. The walls provide the chance to see student learning at a glance and offer opportunities to solicit appropriate feedback from peers. On the flip side, students who create and share walls will be able to go into more depth, perhaps writing longer pieces, showing connections between concepts, or even creating multimedia presentations that combine videos, images, drawings, and text. A few more accessibility features would allow for more kids to use it easily. And older kids and teens might want even more flexibility around their Padlet's appearance. But, overall, it's a tool that gives students -- and teachers -- tons to work with.