5 Innovative Ways To Use Padlet

@LisaBerghoff/@MrKimDHS

When I show a new tool to a group of students, the first thing they want to know is if can they all use it at once.  In other words, they want to make sure that they can use the tool to work together and share their thoughts and ideas. More and more, our students are understanding the value of collaboration. In addition, they are often looking for true collaboration, where everyone actually has an opportunity to give their input. If a tool does not have the capability to allow everyone in a group to share, they are less interested in using the tool.

It's important to remember that movement in education tends to be slow, but movement in technology is fast, with new innovations making the previous ones obsolete, sometimes in a matter of a few short years. When there is a digital tool that manages to stay in the education space more than a few years, it's well worth taking a look at. Padlet has been around since 2008, which makes it relatively new in education but practically ancient in the tech world. 

At its core, Padlet is a digital bulletin board. You click on it and can add a wide variety of digital items to the board. This sounds super basic, but there are actually endless ways you can use Padlet with your students. Check out these 20 useful ways to use padlet, from DitchThatTextbook post in 2014.

Later in this post I will give you my top 5 favorite ways to use Padlet. If you want some inspiration, do check out the Padlet gallery.  While you are there you can also rate and vote for the best burger.  Spoiler alert! Burger King has over 10,000 ratings. Need a little pick me up? Check out the compliment board. 

But first, here is how you set up a Padlet.

Step 1: Go to padlet.com to create an account. Make sure to use log in with Google and use your school account. HPHS staff use this link for our school account.

Step 2: Click where it says Make A Padlet

Step 3: Now, you will be walked through all of the initial settings. Many of these are cosmetic but you will want to choose the format, the background, and give your new padlet a title and description. Also set the sharing permissions depending on how you are going to use it with your class.

Step 4: Add or share. That's it! You can begin to add items by double clicking anywhere on your padlet or click the share button to share with your students. 

Here is a nice video walking you through how to get started with Padlet. He has a lovely Brittish accent, which makes up for the 6 minute (very long) video.  If you're new to padlet, it is definitely worth the 6 minutes!

Are you still with me? Great! I promise you won't be sorry. 

5 Fantastic Uses For Padlet 

1. Poster Presentations

Consider this a digital version of a gallery walk! Students can create their "posters" using an infographic site like Canva and add them to the class padlet. Then, students, staff, or experts in the field can look at them and post comments.

2. Expert Notes Padlet

Heard of the expression The smartest person in the room is the room? Here is a chance to elevate everyone's knowledge base by crowdsourcing notes on a particular topic or unit. Students can then use this shared notes padlet as a study resource.

3. Open Question Box

Want your students to help each other instead of just waiting for you for everything? Encourage them to post questions and answers to your open question padlet. If one student has the question, chances are they are not alone. There is also a good chance that another student is able to answer it!

4. Portfolio, That Actually Means Something

Picture this...

Each student has their own padlet, where they add pieces of work as evidence that they have mastered certain concepts and skills. On the padlet, they add their own reflective comments, sharing what they learned and how their understanding has grown. They share it with you and you can look at it at regular intervals and post comments to have a dialogue with each student about their learning. 

5. Crowdsource "Real" Responses

Encouraging your students to tackle real-world problems? Create an open padlet with a prompt, created by your class. Post the link to that padlet on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or whatever your favorite flavor of social media is.  You will find more teachers on Twitter and Facebook. Use a hashtag to help get more responses. Then sit back and watch the replies flow in. Your students can have meaningful discussions, write and reflect on what they see. You can also ask people to tag where they are from to get global perspectives.

How are you using Padlet with students?

Want some help getting started? Just let us know.