Ed Tech Tips with E. Mosier
Make your classroom more E-fficient!
Postin' Up with Padlet
Overview
There are several ways to receive feedback and information from students. From Google Classroom, to Todays Meet, to a standard sheet of paper and a pencil, engaging students in discussion is simple. However, Padlet tends to be one of the neatest ways to have a visual representation of student ideas. If you're unfamiliar with this program, think of it as a virtual Post-It note collection, with the ability to customize what the response is and the layout. Below are a few different ways that you can integrate Padlet into your classroom.
Creating (and using) a Padlet
A major benefit to Padlet is that you can sign up and/or log in using your district Google account. Once logged in, you're able to choose from a variety of different layouts. From a free forming wall of information, to a grid aligned left and right, to a shelf aligned vertically, the options available are suitable for any project. Then, to use Padlet, click the circle with the plus sign within it, quite similar to what is available in Google Classroom. After the plus is clicked, a virtual "post-It" appears and content can be created.
Introductory Activities
When you receive a new class of students, an easy way to get to know them is to take the traditional notecard activity and put it into a Padlet. Students could respond to a few prompts to better get to know them. Or, another idea that I've seen is a virtual 2 truths and a lie. Students type three statements, and then from the Padlet board, students are to guess which one is the lie. This would allow all students to participate, even the shy student who hesitates to share out in front of their classmates.
Prediction
Instead of having students blurt out ideas (which isn't always a bad thing), have them document their thoughts on a Padlet. Students could read the summary of a book the class is going to read and compose a prediction for the novel. Or, the teacher could stop at a certain point in the novel and allow students to make a prediction based on what they already know. This could work the same for other content areas as well by using a chapter image to make their prediction.
Resource Database
A fabulous use of Padlet would be a place to house resources for a given project or the class. If the class is researching the periodic table for a project, have students post various websites, YouTube videos, or images to assist other students. They could do the same thing when studying the elements of a story, or different math formulas. That way students could visit this board and have a variety or resources at their fingertips that they've found, which will empower students to own the project even more.
Student Reflection
This is an idea geared more towards the end of the semester or end of the school year. Provide students with a few writing prompts such as "Who was your favorite teacher this year? Why?" "What was the most memorable moment of the school year?" or "What accomplishment are you most proud of this year?" Reflective thinking can have major benefits, especially if a student needs some extra motivation.
Exit Ticket
By far, the best use of Padlet to me, is that of the exit ticket. A super quick and efficient way to capture where your students are in a visual representation. Posting a few questions such as, "What did you learn today?" "What is still confusing you?" "How might this lesson apply to your everyday life?" would make the determination of the class direction much simpler.
Additional Padlet Templates
In addition to all of the wonderful things a teacher can do with a regular Padlet, there are a few built-in templates that could be useful in the classroom. Padlet can be used to house a K-W-L chart. The setup is a three column grid in the "Shelf" format, that allows students to post different notes for what they know, want to know, and then what they learned once the lesson has concluded. Or, Padlet can be used as an organizational flow chart as well. Similar to the Inspiration program, creating a diagram of various topics for your class is simple and efficient.
Contact Mr. Mosier!
Have a question about a tip, trick, or tool? Have an idea for a future Ed Tech Tip newsletter? Send it along!
Email: mosiere@davenportschools.org
Website: www.davenportschools.org/sudlow
Location: Sudlow Intermediate School, East Locust Street, Davenport, IA, United States
Phone: 563-445-5150
Twitter: @emosier3