The Power of Participation by Laura Page

Padlet: What it's all about!

las_page — 2025-08-11 21:32:53 UTC

Digital collaboration board
Share text, images, links, audio, videos and documents
Real time comments and posting, but also works for asynchronous online students!
Works on computers and phones with no special software
Multiple layouts, including grids, walls, maps, timelines, and even sandbox spaces
Wide variety of pre-existing templates to explore
Customizable privacy and moderation

How might you use Padlet in Teaching?

las_page — 2025-08-11 21:34:58 UTC

Collaborate on tasks (e.g., brainstorming, debates, project plans, etc.)
Create a living resource that you can build and revisit
Scaffold writing/projects by having students post drafts or reflections
Allow multimodal responses that support UDL and other inclusive practices
What are other practical uses?

Let's meet each other! What's your favourite thing about summer?

las_page — 2025-08-11 21:39:25 UTC

I'm Laura and my favourite thing about summer is canoeing on a gorgeous northern Ontario lake.

Example Padlet #1: What does Teaching and Learning Mean to Us?

las_page — 2025-08-12 01:12:17 UTC

Example Padlet #2: On Critical Thinking

las_page — 2025-08-12 01:15:32 UTC

Hot off the press!

las_page — 2025-08-12 01:22:22 UTC

Invite students to take 5 minutes to browse news headlines for an example of the topic of the day.

For instance

Example: "This just in: University of Manitoba invests in Mentimeter as its official campus engagement tool! (2022)"

Collaborative Case Study

las_page — 2025-08-12 01:26:42 UTC

Ben, a first-year engineering student, often doodles in lectures, leading his instructor to assume he’s distracted. During group work, he sketches a diagram that makes the concept clear to everyone. When allowed to include visuals in his work, Ben's understanding becomes evident and his performance improves. How might Padlet contribute to this scenario?

Exit Ticket: Clearest Point and Murkiest Point

las_page — 2025-08-12 01:29:45 UTC

Invite students to share here, and be sure to return to the murkiest points at the beginning of next class!

Concept Map!

las_page — 2025-08-12 01:32:52 UTC

Invite students to create a Padlet board of their own using the "canvas" or "map" layout to connect ideas.

Both Mentimeter and Padlet align with principles from the science of learning:

las_page — 2025-08-12 02:07:49 UTC

Retrieval Practice: Quizzes and open-ended questions encourage retrieval, which strengthens learning and memory.
Active Learning: Both tools disrupt passive reception. They invite students to process, respond and reflect.
Metacognition and Feedback: Mentimeter can surface misconceptions in real time so the teacher can address. Both tools encourage reflection so students can learn how they came to know something.
Motivation and Belonging: Anonymous participation can lower fear of judgment and making mistakes. Collaborative Padlets can create a sense of shared purpose and classroom community.

Wrap-Up!

las_page — 2025-08-12 02:12:11 UTC

Key Takeaways:

Mentimeter and Padlet are easy entry points for making learning active
They support retrieval, motivation, metacognition and student voice while creating a shared responsibility for learning in the classroom.
They align with what we know about how students learn best.
Share with us how you find these tools work for you!

Thank you for joining us today!

Shout out your "favourite mistake!"

las_page — 2025-08-12 03:02:06 UTC

Build belonging for your students by normalizing the mistakes we all make when trying something new. Shouting out "your favourite mistake" helps students learn that taking risks are part of how we learn (Cohen, 2024, Stanford Alumni Association talk).