Web Base Site #4 - Padl-et or Post-it?
Padl-et or Post-it?
I hope the presentation sites worked out for you and that your class loved them! This week, I am going to talk about a site that isn't a presentation one, aren't you excited!! Let's talk about bulletin boards. There is always so much work that goes into making them and then you sadly have to take it down; all that hard work gone in an instant. What if there was a to keep what you made, while also having interactions?! Well, now there is - Introducing Padlet!
Padlet is a fun and visual way for your students to connect through created posts. As teachers, we make bulletin boards to update students on new information or events that are happening within the classroom, school, or library. Now instead of taking all the hard work down, it can stay up forever! Not only you, but your students as well can create, share, manage, and interact on their own and other posts. The digital bulletin board or "padlets" not only allows you to post information or discussion topics, but also lesson plans, projects, events, book club ideas, and so much more. Padlet allows for real time communication and collaboration not only in the classroom, but for the whole school at anytime and anywhere. Teachers, you can also set Padlet's to be private, in case you only want a certain group to see it at a time. The great thing about Padlet is that since you can add videos and pictures (we will talk more about this later) along with the words, it gives the feel of a new social media site. That may be the last thing you want to hear as a teacher, but I promise you, it will be so beneficial.
Ok, now we know what Padlet is, how do I use it? Once you log in, you will be directed to the home page. On the home page you can view recent Padlet's you interacted with, ones that you made, and ones that you have deleted. You will also see a gray box with a + in the middle that says "Make a Padlet" underneath it. This is where you are going to start. When you click on make a Padlet, you will be directed to a page where there are templets or blank canvas. If you click on one of the pre-made ideas, it will ask what the subject, grade, topic, and additionally you may add the standards aligned with the lesson and any other notes you wish to add. I am going to start with a blank slate. After clicking on "Blank Board" you will be directed to start your Padlet. Right away options come up of what you want to call your Padlet and how you want to format it. This ranges from having a wall, shelf, map, timeline, and more. These formats allow for the different arrangement of how you want the board to look. Once you have the format that you want, you will see a settings button. The settings allow you to change the title, description, wallpaper/background, color scheme, font, how you want the students to react, privacy settings, and more. Once the board is made you can share it, remake it to reuse for a new lesson, or even put it into a slideshow. Now we are ready to post our first "padlet"! Click on the little plus button on the bottom on the page. Make a title for the subject. Then add a file of your choice from the list below: 
After you pick an upload file you want, you can add a post underneath it. Before you post it, you can change the time of when you want it posted to be now or a date in the future. Once it's all finished, you can post it and wait for your students to reply! Once your first "padlet" is made, you can go back and edit it, change the color, duplicate it, send it to another padet, amongst other things. It's done! You have created your first Padlet.
Now that you know what Padlet is and how to use it, what do you think. Is it something that you will use in the future with your students. Do you think it is something that they would like to use, especially that it is similar to social media? Let me know in the comments what you think or of an apps that are similar to this one!
Below is a link to the site so you can try it out with your students'!
Comments
Post a Comment