Years ago I stumbled on Wallwisher, a virtual post-it note board. I liked the concept, but the backgrounds were garish and hard to look at for long. Months ago, I received notification via email that Wallwisher had undergone a transformation and was now Padlet.

In the middle of finals, I was procrastinating and decided to explore Padlet. I am thrilled I did! I created my first “wall” in seconds and love the new backgrounds, easy sharing and ability to upload images. I decided to use it for a professional development training.  I asked participants to post a little bio at the start of the training. It was a hit!

Screen shot 2013-06-09 at 4.21.11 PM

I also used it to engage my participants in a fun icebreaker. I chose the map background and asked participants to post a note on the location they would like to travel to most.

Screen shot 2013-06-09 at 4.26.02 PM

When asked what tool from the workshop they were most excited to use, many educators referenced Padlet. Their enthusiasm is the reason I decided to write this blog to share Padlet with other teachers.

Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Go Padlet.com

Padlet 1

 

Step 2: Click “Build a wall.”

Padlet 2

Step 3: Modify and share your wall.

Screen shot 2013-06-09 at 4.31.58 PM

 

Ideas for using Padlet with Students

  1. Class introductions – Ask students to post a brief bio, quirky fact about themselves, and/or favorite hobby to introduce themselves to the class. 
  2. Icebreakers – Post an icebreaker question on a wall and invite students to get to know one another and build community.
  3. Inquiry – Before starting a unit of study, drive inquiry and ask students to post questions they have about the topic.
  4. Previous knowledge – Ask students to brainstorm everything they know about a topic before they begin studying it.
  5. Predictions – Allow students to predict how a book will end, what the outcome of a science lab/experiment will be, or what the impact of an event in history on other countries will be. These are fun to revisit once a book is finished or a lab is completed.
  6. Context clues – Post a picture of a person, culturally significant scene or moment from history and ask students to explore and discuss context clues.
  7. Finish the story – Post a story line and ask students to continue the story with words and images.
  8. Vocabulary development – Post words on the board and ask students to collaboratively add definitions, synonyms and pictures to help all students better understand the vocabulary.
  9. Label – Post a picture of a cell, piece of art work, or map and ask students to label the parts with names and information.
  10.  Exit ticket – Find out what students learned and what they are still confused about.

Share your ideas for using Padlet with students!

14 Responses

  1. Hi Catlin!

    I really enjoyed using Padlet with my students this last year. I used it (in middle school social studies) to have students post ala your #3 and #4 – the “K” and “W” of a KWL chart as we started study of a new unit (Islam, Medieval, Renaissance…). It was one of my go-to tools – kids generally loved it.

    I’ve also used it to break the class into groups and then recap a portion of the day’s learning into ‘their’ part of the space, which I then post to use as a study guide for the learning (great for absent kids, too). It’s great that kids can log in w/ their Google account if desired. That gives them more control over their posts, they can circle back to make updates, etc.

    Anyway, it’s a great tool. Cheers,
    Gene Tognetti

    • Hi Gene,

      I love that students can log in with their Google accounts. I have every student create a Gmail on the first day of class. I had not even thought about that, but I appreciate anything that makes sign in easier for students.

      Thank you for sharing how you are using Padlet! I am glad to hear your students enjoyed it.

      Take care. Enjoy your summer!

      Catlin

    • Hello Jennifer,

      Students need to be over 13 to sign up for a Gmail because of Children’s Online Privacy Protection (COPPA). However, Google Apps for Education schools are able to offer access to Google apps without violating COPPA.

      Catlin

  2. Hello.

    I am very new to pad let. How do I get my students onto my account. I want each of my students to be able to post on a question I have but I am confused as to how this works? Please help me!

    • Hi Melissa,

      You don’t need to get students on your account. You can sign up, create a wall, and share the URL with students. Then they can write directly on the wall you created. They don’t need individual accounts.

      Catlin

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