Useful ways to use Padlet in class

Useful ways to use Padlet in class 

here’s a good chance you’ve done the “write on a sticky note and put it on the wall” activity — or have seen it happen before.

Padlet lets those sticky notes have images, links and videos AND be available with practically any Internet-ready device.

It used to be blocked by my school’s Internet filter. This school year, the powers that be have allowed it through on student devices, opening up lots of possibilities in class!

Padlet is a great place for gathering ideas, sharing them and modifying them later.It’s like a living, breathing webpage. Users can add links, YouTube videos, files and images to Padlet notes. They can move and arrange them. A link to a Padlet can be shared and Padlets can be embedded into webpages.

Here are 20 ways to use this versatile tool in class:

1. Bell ringer activity – Ask students what they remember from the previous day’s lesson. The ensuing page should summarize what still needs to be taught and should serve as a good place for students to review content.

2. Predicting activity – As you proceed through new content with students, stop and let them predict what will happen next with notes on a Padlet. Later, refer to the Padlet to see how close students’ guesses were.

3. Collaborative notetaking – While listening to a presentation, students can work together to add notes to a Padlet to produce a resource they can refer to later. This also works with staff meetings!

4. Event planning – If you’re planning a class party or a field trip, all of the information can go on a Padlet, including photos of the destination, a list of who’s bringing what, links to pertinent websites and more.

5. Living webquest – Webquests have been static webpages that included links to sites and questions. They often didn’t change. Students can create a living webquest where new links are added continually. You can create questions at the end of the activity to the links available at that time.

6. Exit ticket – What did you learn today? What didn’t make sense? What questions do you still have? Students can answer those questions on a Padlet and refer to it later.

7. QR code Padlet gallery – Students can create a Padlet with information/images/links on a certain topic. When done, they can print a QR code to it (use the “Share/Export” button on the right) and a related image and/or title. Place those QR codes around the room so students can see each other’s work.

8. Ask for suggestions or ideas – Let students, parents or others share ideas for improving. Be careful, though — asking for suggestions like this can begin a flame war of negative messages. You can enable moderating (Settings > Privacy > Moderate posts) so you approve posts before they’re public.

9. Class document hub – Upload important class files to a Padlet so students can go there to download them any time.

10. Whiteboard answers – For a more personal and engaging touch to answering questions, students can write answers to questions or ideas on a small whiteboard. Then, using a camera on their devices, they can snap a picture of themselves holding the whiteboard (or sheet of paper) and post it to a Padlet.

11. Field trip documentation – Going on a trip? Add pictures of it to a wall using the camera on your device — or on student devices. If you have access to wi-fi or cellular data, upload those photos on the fly. Give parents the link before leaving and they’ll be able to see updates instantly during the day!

12. Poster presentations – Replace poster boards with Padlet. Have students add images, information and links. Then embed them in a class website.

13. Research resource gathering – Students (or groups) can create their own individual Padlets to hold ideas, sources, etc. for research. That way, they won’t lose important papers and everyone will have access if someone’s absent!

14. Class/club updates – Create a message board for your class or club with a Padlet to announce changes, post photos or deliver important information. Take it to the next level and have updates sent via email or text.

15. Collect videos to share in class – Gather all the YouTube videos you want to show your class in one place. Those videos are clickable and viewable from the Padlet. Then, post a link to the Padlet on a class website (or just provide the link) so absent students can watch to catch up.

16. Sub lesson plans – Need to miss a day of school? Create links, add photos and post videos to leave for your substitute teacher to provide students. Include a video of you giving directions so there’s no miscommunication!

17. Interactive storytelling – Create a story and ask students where it should go next. Students can type their ideas into the Padlet. Take student ideas and continue story.

18. Image tagging – Have students upload a picture as a background. They can post notes on that message to highlight and explain certain parts of the image.

19. Introductions – Students can create an introductory Padlet at the beginning of the school year showing things about themselves. They could revisit it at the end of the year to see if it’s changed.

20. Gather responses globally – Create a Padlet with a question and post it on Twitter, a blog or other social media. (A hashtag like #comments4kids could help more people see it and respond.) See where in the world responses come from!

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