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I added this note whilst creating this Padlet.

It was a reminder to myself that I needed to change the security settings.

Initially anyone could write to the Padlet and I wanted access to be restricted to READ ONLY.

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If you click a link and the image is a bit small to read, click the 'View Original' button to zoom in to more detail.

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Read more about some Padlet advantages and disadvantages and some other similar tools

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1. Padlet
How to find it: To use Padlet, simply go to www.Padlet.com. Once you

Why I chose it: I chose Padlet because it's a great tool for collaboration. Students are able to post their ideas on an online "wall" that acts as a virtual notepad. It's very easy to use, users just have to double click on the wall and begin typing!

Advantages: A huge advantage of Padlet is that it's free. Being able to access free software for a teacher is a major bonus, especially with a tool like Padlet because all students can contribute to the wall and share their ideas. Padlet is also mobile, allowing students to use it on their smartphones if a classroom isn't equipped with computers. Also, there are different privacy settings, which is important when dealing with students because parents may be skeptical of their children going online. Students don't need to create a username or put in personal information unless the teacher asks them to. A teacher just needs to create their own username, build a wall, then share the link to the classroom where the students can join.

Disadvantages: A primary concern with a tool like Padlet is that a teacher has no control of what students will type. A teacher can tell them to be appropriate and use the tool in an ethical way, but some may go against this rule. Also, it can
add as a distraction to learning with students taking up too much time making sure what they type is correct.

Best uses for learning: If a teacher has their students split into groups to find information, Padlet is a great resource to have them share their groups' ideas. With Padlet, students will be able to see the other groups' notes, so they will be able to copy them down without missing any information.

reach the website, you have the option to build your own wall. You click
this button, and here you are able add your ideas to a virtual notepad and have the ability to add members to your wall and share their ideas.

2. TodaysMeet

How to find it: To access TodaysMeet, go to www.TodaysMeet.com. There, you can make a room and name it, and you have the option of deciding how long you would like the room to be active. Once that is done, you can share the URL with the classroom and use this website as a backchannel.

Why I chose it: I chose TodaysMeet as one of my favorite technology tools because of how easy it is to create a room and have others join. It's free and requires no name input unless you choose to do so. I chose TodaysMeet because it's a very effective backchannel that allows all students to participate.

Advantages: One of
the most notable advantages of TodaysMeet is that all students can have their voices heard. If a student is shy and rarely raises his/her hand, TodaysMeet allows them to express their ideas without getting nervous. teachers can then see the backchannel and see how well the students understand a specific topic.

Disadvantages: A disadvantage of using a backchannel is distraction. Some students may only pay attention to what the students are saying and not focus on the teacher. It's also hard to filter what the students are saying, so there may be some inappropriate comments that will lessen learning.

Best uses for learning: If a teacher wants to have a classroom discussion, TodaysMeet is a great way to get an answer from all students. As mentioned before, ideas from more quiet students will be heard, and a large array of viewpoints will be heard. It's also easy for students to see their peers ideas, and if they want to take notes, students don't have to repeat themselves.

3. Socrative
How to find it: Go to www.Socrative.com to access Socrative. Here, you have the option to log in as a student or a teacher. A teacher can create a classroom, and students can then type in the room number and join the room.

Why I chose it: I chose Socrative as another one of my favorite technology tools because it's an easy and efficient way to quiz or test students. Teachers can then see what students are failing to understand by the results and make sure they go more in depth on topics that students didn't perform well on.

Advantages: Socrative is free and easily accessible. Because it's online, answers are automatically corrected so teachers can give back grades to students right away. It also allows teachers to compare what questions were more difficult and which ones were easy which shows how much students understand a topic. The quizzes can be teacher paced or student paced, and students have the option of giving their name or not. It's also mobile friendly so if a classroom isn't equipped with computers students can access it on smartphones.

Disadvantages: A disadvantage is that students might be able to cheat, by opening a different web browser and looking up answers. Also, to use this device means a teacher must have a computer or some type of device for all students, as well as Internet access.

Best uses for learning: It's an easy way to quiz students and see what material students understood and had trouble on. There are many different uses a teacher can use with this to enhance students learning.

4. PrimaryPad
How to find it: Go to www.PrimaryPad.com to gain access to this online notepad. Once you reach the homepage, you have the option to create a pad, log in or create an account. If you don't want to create an account, you can simply create your own pad for free and share the link to the classroom so all students can view the page and participate.

Why I chose it: I chose PrimaryPad as another one of my favorite technology tools because of how easy it is to use. It's similar to Padlet where each student can type down their ideas and collaborate with their peers.

Advantages: PrimaryPad has a variety of advantages. Unlike Padlet, PrimaryPad gives a color to each user so you can easily distinguish each students ideas based off of their color. It's a great collaboration tool and the text is synchronized as you type, so a teacher or student can talk and type at the same time and have the class follow along very easily. With a free account, a public pad lasts 30 days, and if you would like to password protect a pad and leave it up longer you can upgrade to a pro account.

Disadvantages: With online notepads comes some drawbacks. A major one is distraction, especially with younger students who may fool around and type comments. The teacher has no filter on what the students type, so it could take away from learning with students saying harmful remarks to other students or typing jokes or other things that the class can see then delete them quickly before the teacher can say something.

Best uses for learning: The best use for using PrimaryPad is that all students will be able to see each others ideas and easily copy down notes without the teacher or classmates repeating themselves. It's free and easy to use, so it wont require a lot of time for set up to take away from class time.

5. PollDaddy
How to find it: To use PollDaddy, simply go to www.PollDaddy.com and create an account. You will find a log in button, and if you don't already have an account you can create one by giving your email, making a username, and creating a password.

Why I chose it: I chose PollDaddy because it's a very simple tool to create polls, surveys, and quizzes. As a teacher, you can easily have students take a poll to see their opinions on certain ideas, and give them a quick quiz.

Advantages: One advantage of PollDaddy is that if you create a quiz, you get instant results so students will know how they performed. This also saves time for teachers in the grading process. Because it's free and easy to use, students can create their own polls or surveys to give to friends and family to use for research purposes.

Disadvantages: A disadvantage with using PollDaddy is the requirement of putting in a username, email and password. When dealing with students, teachers should give out as little information so they protect their students privacy. This requires some consent from parents depending on the age of the students, and it will require some extra class time to have students create a new email and sign up. Another disadvantage of PollDaddy is that some features could be complicated and require more explaining and it's a longer process for students to make questions and set up a poll/survey.

Best uses for learning: The best use for learning through PollDaddy is how easy it is to conduct a quick research survey for a project, or for finding a public opinion. It's free and easy to use, so once a student finishes making their survey, they can use the embedded code to share on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter or send it through email. Once people take the survey or quiz, they can access the information and use it for an assignment.

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1. Padlet How to find it: To use Padlet, simply go to www.Padlet.com. Once you Why I chose it: I chose Padlet because it's a great tool for collaboration. Students are able to post their ideas on an online "wall" that acts as a virtual notepad.

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Free

Use on any device with an internet connection

Intuitive

Good for collaboration

Controls for sharing and privacy

Drag and drop documents, images and links to videos/websites

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No control over what is typed

Can be distracting in a class

Sometimes difficult to change the text format and resize the posts - need a reasonable level of keyboard/mouse dexterity

Resizing post also resizes images as can be seen by this large image on a resized post

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Click the image to read a description of Padlet and some ideas of how it could be integrated into teaching.

Follow some of the links to find out more about Padlet.

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Click the image below to find out more about Padlet. There's some good integration ideas on how it could be used to aid teaching.