Because it's device-neutral, you can easily use Padlet in your 1:1 or BYOD classroom. At the start of the year, get to know your students by having them post a selfie or video discussing what makes them unique. In math, use the draw feature to show work: Ask students to solve an equation, and discuss the different ways their peers approached the problem. For fine arts, pair it with a tool like Google Arts and Culture to post a work of art and ask for students' reactions, or have students upload a recording of themselves singing or practicing an instrument.
Padlet really shines as a tool for group projects. Divide the class into small groups, and have them work together at home to research a particular subject -- for example, key leaders in the civil rights movement. Each student could devote research to a type of supported media (video, audio, photo, or text), add it to the group's shared wall, and then present the findings in class. Alternatively, let students pool notes together in class for a virtual group study session. Looking for more inspiration? The site's blog and social media pages showcase many examples of how teachers are using Padlet to enhance learning.
Continue readingPadlet is a website and app that allows kids to curate information onto virtual bulletin boards using a simple drag-and-drop system. Students can start with a template or a blank page and add videos, text, links, documents, images -- basically anything -- to the wall and organize it, like a page full of Post-it notes. Kids can add as many notes to a wall as they like; it scrolls in all directions. Teachers can opt to turn on profanity filters, comments, and voting features for more collaboration without the worry of inappropriate language. As added checks, teachers can moderate all posts 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, they can share it through the usual social media channels (Facebook, Twitter), export it to a file, embed it in a blog or website, or turn it into a QR code. There's also the option to keep walls private, of course. There are lots of places to get support, including social media pages, a fun blog, a FAQ section, and lots of use cases. A paid upgrade to Padlet Backpack offers features specific to educators' needs, including LMS integration, student portfolios, and extra layers of privacy and security.
There are plenty of online bulletin board sites out there, but Padlet is one of the more intuitive and appealing for kids. Colorful backgrounds and customization options let students add personality to walls, and opportunities to engage with others through voting and comments will pique their interest. The depth of the site depends on what you put into it, but the developer's website and social media pages share lots of helpful examples.
Privacy isn't all that tight since kids can see everyone's posts in real time, but with a watchful eye, there's great potential for collaboration and teamwork here. Padlet walls are great for study groups, class projects, and discussions. For teachers, the walls provide the chance to see student learning at a glance and feedback from peers (be sure to teach kids the skills to give appropriate feedback). On the flip side, students who create and share padlets 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.