Introduction What is Padlet? Padlet was designed for users to express creativity. The company claims that they would like individuals to express yourself freely and use this product to reflect who you are, and what you love, think, witness, and believe. Educators have discovered that Padlet can be used as a collaboration tool to help quickly get students engaged. How to get the Tool https://padlet.com/ You can start the tool without an account by clicking on the create something, or you can sign up for a free account. A link is created with your Padlet that you can share with others to contribute to. Here is a sample of a beginning wall: How to use the tool: All you need to do is start double clicking on the wall to insert text, or drag and drop any file to share! All you need to do to get your students collaboration is to share the link of the wall. Students either double click the wall to enter text, or drag and drop a file to share with classmates. It is that easy! If you want to customize your wall, all you need to do is click on the settings tool which is shown above in the image. You can add a small portrait to express yourself, you can title your wall, and provide a description for your viewers/collaborators. The other settings include the wallpaper function which allows you to change the background of the wall. You can change the layout of the wall so you can control the flow of information. Freeform is the standard setting which allows the user and collaborators to select any spot to add text or file. Stream function will display the information in middle and start with the oldest information on top flowing down into the newest information. The last layout is the Grid which just gives you the developer the options to place materials in patterns. Other settings include privacy settings, notifications, and the web link address to share, your information as the author, a copying function, and a delete function. Other tools on the right side navigation bar are to allow you to either create an account if you have not done already, create a new wall, share or export the wall, and a help function. If you do not create an account the wall is only controlled by the first settings you set up and is viewable by the public. If you create a free account you can do most functions under the settings and this allows you to save and manage your walls. The other briefcase functions allow either educators or businesses to pay for materials that are considered advanced. The briefcase allows teachers to control the privacy and control you may want for your classroom. You control user management and access control, more privacy and security is present, branding options are available, school-­‐wide monitoring, bigger file upload available, more controlled environment, user support, student reports and portfolios, analytics, good apps and Edmodo and LMS integration. Content filtering is an item coming soon! You can try this option for free for 30 days. How to use the tool in your classroom: •
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Set up a wall with information to share with your students! Creative way to share information with students. Set up a wall for students to collaborate on a specific topic! Allowing students to share text or files to start collaborating. Set up a wall for your students to provide feedback during a lecture. Allow the wall to be up at all times so students can post questions that you can address throughout your lecture or at the end of your lecture. Have students set up a wall to collaborate within groups and to share with the class. Have students create a unique presentation by designing their own wall and use it to express themselves over a topic or subject! Conclusion Padlet is a simple tool to allow you as an educator to be creative and start collaborating with your students instantly!