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I'm always looking for cool tools that can serve lots of purposes in the classroom. Tools that make life easier for teachers AND are more engaging for students in meaningful, educational ways are sure winners, and Padlet is currently one of my favorites. It's a great tool for formative assessment that also doubles as a collaborative way for students (or teachers) to connect with each other, too! Students collaborate on a shared wall space and YOU get all of the evidence you need to see if students "get it" or not. It's pretty magical!

Padlet.com is a free web 2.0 tool for teachers. With an account, a teacher can create unlimited shared wall spaces that are great for collaboration between students or colleagues. Create a wall and share it with students; they don't need to have an account to collaborate on the wall.

When you make a Padlet wall, you as the owner have control over how it looks and functions. Set the background, give it a title and description (the perfect space for instructions) and even give it a personalized URL. All walls have their own unique URL, which is how you share it with others.You can even password protect your wall, so you'll be confident linking to your collaborative wall on your classroom webpage for students; just be sure they know the password to access the wall. And because it's web-based, this means it can be accessed from anywhere with internet access. (A great tool for flipped classroom setups.)

To add to the wall, simply double click (or double tap, as it works perfectly in the browser of any personal device, too!) and you'll create a new post-it note. You're able to add a heading or title to your note (a great place for students to type their names to help distinguish and identify their notes from others) and text in the body of the note. Notes are re-sizable and the owner of a note can move it around on the wall. The best part? You're not limited to just text on a note; you can also attach other things to your notes: add a URL to other websites or videos, upload a file (hello, assignment turn-in!) or take a photo using your computer's webcam.

I love using Padlet for exit slips. For example, I presented BYOD to our secondary admin at a meeting. At the end, I directed them to a Padlet wall I had created where I wanted them to add a note and tell me what kind of support they wanted for their building, so that I knew how to follow up with them and set up future trainings. Of course, with the nature of posting "notes" to a wall, the notes were all over the wall in no particular order by the end. This is the beauty of Padlet - I collected the data from "students" and then as the owner of the wall, I can go back to it later and rearrange the notes in a meaningful way for ME so that I can analyze the data. I arranged the notes by building so that I could see what each building's needs were, and then I added a note myself underneath each building's cluster of notes to remind myself how and when I contacted those admin to arrange the follow up supports they wanted. Even 3 months later, I can go back and tell you on what date and how I followed up with those administrators.

For a practical classroom example, let's say you asked your kindergarten class to add a post-it to your wall with a word that has a long "A" sound in it. Whether students are 1:1, BYOD, or you have a "station" with the wall up on a classroom computer and students rotate through and add a post-it sometime during the day, at the end of the day YOU have a wall of notes, one per student, and now you can arrange the notes in a meaningful way to analyze who gets it and who doesn't. Over here are all the kids who got it, over here are all the ones who didn't. Now you know who needs more work with the long "A" sound. Change up the question depending on the topic, grade level, etc.

This tool isn't just for students: you can use Padlet to collaborate with your colleagues or collect resources and images for an upcoming project with your department or grade level team all in one place together.

I worked with a secondary art teacher who wanted to take her class on a walking field trip through the building with their devices. Students were to use their device to take pictures of various elements of art that they had been learning about - texture, space, line, etc. Her dilemma was then how to have all of those images shared back with her so she knew if they understood the concepts or not. Solution? She created a Padlet wall and shared it with the class. When students were done with the activity, they were able to access the wall right in the browser of their devices, and using the Upload File option, attach pictures right from their camera rolls onto their post-it. So Joe adds a note with his name on it and types, "This is my example of texture" and attaches the picture he took representing texture to the note. Bam. All students do it, and now all students can see each others' photos and more importantly, the teacher can tell who gets it and who doesn't. Or perhaps students can analyze the results and weigh in on whether or not they make sense. All in one place.

Padlet is great for "parking lot" or "check in to check out" activities. Imagine a gym class where the teacher asks students to share how they beat their personal best this week, or a music class where students add a post-it to the wall to share what imagery came to mind as they listened to a specific piece of music.

Students can cite evidence from text in a close reading activity using a Padlet wall. I worked with a teacher who asked students whether they had free speech or not. After accessing various articles on what free speech is, students were then asked to support their opinion on the Padlet wall, citing evidence from the text that they read. This kind of activity spans all grade levels; citing evidence and supporting your opinion is a key skill at any age.

What about a KWL chart? By using a different background on your Padlet wall, (or uploading your own) and adding headings yourself ahead of time to define the K-W-L spaces on the wall, students can then add post-its and place them under the proper category to share what they Know, what they Want to know, or what they Learned. And speaking of using Padlet to categorize notes, you could also use it as a space to collaborate on a schedule or have students organize their responses in a certain way. It's important to note that the teacher is the only one with a Padlet account; and the owner of the account/wall is the only one who has control to move ALL of the notes around. Students connected to the wall can only modify, edit, or move THEIR own notes around, but not the notes put up by others. Keeping Padlet's Terms of Use in mind, accounts can only be created by those 13 and older, so in the elementary realm this would be the teacher only, but secondary students could make their own Padlet accounts and set up their own walls so that they have a collaborative space to work with peers on group projects. (To achieve a collaborative space for group projects in the elementary, the teacher could make all of the walls and share the different wall URLs with teammates.) Speaking of TOU, don't forget that teachers of students under 13 should notify parents and seek permission for students to use the service to post notes on your wall(s) before continuing. You can access that information here: Padlet's Terms of Service

Here's another cool idea - you as the teacher set up a wall and link to a video news article online. Your instructions are for students to watch the video, and then post a note in response to the video on the wall. What I love is that you achieve this by inserting the URL to a YouTube video, for example, and students can watch the video embedded right on the wall instead of clicking off to another page or window. Then they can post their response right away, next to the video clip. This also works by linking to a specific news article or website; students access the link to the article or website and read it, then come back to the wall and post in response to a question you pose about what they read.

Another unique way to use a Padlet wall is as a communication tool for parents and students on your classroom webpage. Think of it as a forum; set up your Padlet wall so that notes post in a column layout, (this means anytime someone adds a post-it note, it goes in a column stream on the wall instead of anywhere randomly on the page) and you'll be able to see the latest notes posted at the bottom. Students could post a note ask for homework help, and anyone from class - you or another classmate - can add a note to respond and help. You can also share information with parents by posting a note, and attach any relevant files, images, or URLs they may need. This turns the Padlet wall into a stream of interactive conversation. If you password protect your wall, it only becomes accessible to your students and parents. (Just don't forget to share the password with them!)

Whew! There are tons of ways that Padlet could be used effectively in the educational space, and the list keeps growing. Padlet even has a gallery of ways people use it that you can check out. How would YOU use Padlet in the classroom? Contribute your ideas to this public Padlet wall!

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I’m always looking for cool tools that can serve lots of purposes in the classroom. Tools that make life easier for teachers AND are more ...

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This summer I was introduced to a new form of technology called Padlet . Basically, it is a bulletin board that the students can post on to record their thoughts on any matter of subject. They can add pictures or website links as well. After using this myself, with a group of teachers, I knew that my fifth graders would LOVE to us the forum as well.

So once a week, for a total of 15 minutes, I have been doing what I call "Book Brag Padlet".

I give my students the Padlet link and access password, and they are faced with a blank bulletin board. At the top, I have a reading response prompt. So far, I have done three with my class. The first was a regular "brag". The students had to tell me about their book and convince me to read it. The second one asked the students to discuss the setting of their book (since we are using the lessons right now, it fit perfectly) and the last was to tell me an "Aha Moment" in their story as well (since all of my kids, coincidentally, are reading fiction books....AND we are using the Notice and Note strategies)

What I love about this is that the kids are so invested in using the platform. They are just pulled in. They really like seeing each other typing at the same time and reading about each other's books. They are learning about not just their own setting, but the setting in 33 other books. I also love that I can instantly tell if someone is reading or not. They are writing "on the spot" and that is very hard to do if you have nothing to write about because you aren't reading anything.

I have also used Padlet as a sort of group brainstorm outlet. When introducing my students to the idea of European exploration of the new world, I showed each group a painting that captures the moment when the Spanish met the Native Americans for the first time. I wanted them to write down all of the things they saw going on in the painting....the emotion, the body language.....so I had them create a Padlet with only the members in their group. Then, instead of just one person writing and everyone else sort of sitting back, each group member could be writing down their own ideas while still discussing with their group mates. More people were actively involved than the traditional paper and pencil activity.

To set up the group Padlets, I simply set up 6 individual Padlets through my account. I then created 6 assignments, with the links to each individual Padlet, in Google Classroom. I told each group their number, and that is the assignment they clicked on in Google Classroom.

All in all, I am so excited about this new form of technology I am using. I know there are SO many more ways it can be used in class. I have only hit the tip of the iceberg.

Have you used Padlet before? How do you implement it with your students?

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This summer I was introduced to a new form of technology called Padlet . Basically, it is a bulletin board that the students can post on to record their thoughts on any matter of subject. They can add pictures or website links as well.

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I'm Jonna from The Primary Life and I'm excited to share a great idea from my classroom. One of the easiest and most versatile tech tools that I use in my classroom is Padlet-formerly called Wallwisher. It is a virtual wall where you can place digital "sticky notes" that have pictures, videos, links, etc.

Our kids love Padlet and here are some ways that we have used it our kindergarten class.
In this example, we created a Padlet to collect all of our Showme screencasts of the First Thanksgiving.

We found that Padlet is a great way to collaborate with other classes beyond our four walls. They make it so easy because a login is not required to post a sticky on the wall. Here is an example of a Padlet we created to see what other classes across the country knew about baby animals. Our kids were so excited to see other classes from California, Missouri and Georgia add to our Padlet. I embedded the Padlet into my blog, like I did here so they do not need to go the the Padlet website. If you click on the wall below you can add your own sticky note. Try it!

This year, we were curious about recess and what it looked like at other schools. So what did we do? Yes, we created a Padlet and invited other classes to show us their playground or what they did during recess.

Here are some quick and easy tips to get you started on your Padlet journey!

I really hope that this a tool that you can use in your classroom! For even more ideas from
The Primary Peach, be sure to follow us on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook to catch all the latest news and updates.

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Helpful Harvest: Using Padlet in the Classroom

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I'm Jonna from The Primary Life and I'm excited to share a great idea from my classroom. One of the easiest and most versatile tech tools that I use in my classroom is Padlet-formerly called Wallwisher. It is a virtual wall where you can place digital "sticky notes" that have pictures, videos, links, etc.

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This is the third year that our district has been implementing a Digital 1:1 with students. Third graders here have laptops that they use in the classroom and take home each night. Classroom management and a consistent routine are key features needed in all classrooms, but it is especially important when you add devices.

I use two tools on a regular basis that have proven to be tried and true for me!

First of all, I use Symbaloo Edu to organize all of the websites for my students. Don't know about that one? Pop over to my blogpost during a Tricks & Treats Bloghop at 3rd Grade Pad to read how I use it.

Secondly, I use Padlet WITH my Symbaloo.

Padlet is a Web 2.0 tool that allows the user to create a space, much like a bulletin board, to stick website links, pdf & word files, and there is a web camera option (that I've never used!). It is a perfect tool to share a variety of sources in one cohesive location.

Before I show you how to make one, let me share the ways Padlet is used in my classroom, keeping in mind that my goal is to share links and files in one location for my students.

Weekly Reading Padlet

If you will notice in the screenshot above, I have a button that is labeled Reading Street with the name of the Unit and Week of study. This is a quick link to get to my Padlet page.

As you can see on this Padlet, I have my Spelling HW for the week, a copy of the heading for the Spelling Sort homework, Grammar homework for Monday and Wednesday, Family Times Newsletter, and the Unit Spelling List. My parents quickly appreciate the routine in format. Students are able to work ahead on their homework and see the week in one location. This is apaper AND a time saver for me. My kids do homework in folders, so there are no worksheets to print. If you will recall from my Symbaloo post, a whole year of tabs of these Padlets are waiting for the school year. I created them each week LAST year. I am reusing them each week THIS year. I may change it up a bit, but I have the bones ready to build!

Final Project Padlet
I also create Padlets for my kids to submit their final projects. These start as a blank slate for kids to submit their work when they are ready. For example, last year my kids created PowerPoints of American Symbols.

Rather than save them on a thumb drive, line up at my computer to submit them (which I've done....NIGHTMARE and a time suck!), kids add a tab on the Padlet themselves. This would also work with the all important writing that we want our kids to do!!! The beauty is that:
1. The projects are in one location and can present to the class on the Promethian board.
2. Kids can look at each other's projects outside of class.
3. I can sit at my computer to grade with my rubric. No paper to take home!!

Once we are done with the projects, I can remove the Padlet link.

Learning Pad
I have one blank Padlet that I leave available to my kids. I use the blank one for Exit Slips. Sometimes, I just don't want to spend the time preparing formative assessments. I can display a task card from the topic we are teaching on my Document Camera. Students will answer on the Learning Pad.

They will:

1. Create a spot

2. Enter their class number in the top portion

3. Enter their final answer in the bottom portion. (Oh! Lightbulb going off! They could take a picture of their white board work and submit that!!)

I have also used my learning pad as a place for kids to submit their stories or creations to share with their classmates. Last year, I had a student share a 500 slide PowerPoint that she created. She was dabbling with the idea of tapping on the next slide quickly to create motion. I would have never known of her interest if I hadn't given them this creative spot. She started teaching other kids how to create them on our inside recess days after that!

My Learning Pad has also been a place where I can leave videos from Educreations for my kids. Sometimes I teach something that I KNOW they are going to be a little fuzzy about when they get home. This gives a "taste" of me at home, and parents can give the added support in knowing how "Mrs. Watson" does it! Below is a screenshot from the fall. And look what I found? A message from one of my babies from last year who moved away! How sweet is that!

Themed Padlets
Sometimes we have a short unit when I want all the materials my kids will need in one place.

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Hi, I'm Debbi. I am a curriculum developer and classroom teacher at 3rd Grade Pad. I love sharing classroom resources , teacher tips and ideas for elementary teachers, including Technology tips for the classroom.