Padlet

App: Padlet

Company: Wallwisher, Inc.

Cost: Free

Device: Apple or Android tablets or smart devices, ChromeBooks, computer website

SAMR Model: Modification

App Map Score: Here

Participatory Literacies Score: Here

Description

Padlet is an online writing tool. Users can create their own lists, upload their own videos or photos, links, online resources, or writing. Padlet can be used independently or collaboratively. Multiple students can post on a Padlet at the same time if desired. This resource is easy to use. Students can access a specific Padlet through a QR code or email. The Padlet creations can be shared via Facebook or Twitter. It can also be embedded into an email or blogpost, as well as saved as an image, PDF, CSV, or an Xcel document.

Padlet can be accessed on a website or a smart device. iPads and Kindles can access the Padlet app. To type on a padlet, students just need to tap the plus button that is in the corner and type away. Students can add multiple posts anonymously, or they can write their name in their posting.

Differentiation

Padlet allows for differentiation because it can be used as an individual writing activity. Students can create content that focuses on their area of development. Teaches can provide student-specific content or learning activities on Padlet. This may include learning videos found online or created by a teacher that target a student's need. Students could answer prompts, create original pieces, or create a research piece where they write their understanding and provide digital artifacts that back up their research.

Comprehension

Padlet supports comprehension through the ability for teacher and student collaboration. Teachers can create lessons or assessments that focus on comprehension skills. Students can reflect on or self-assess their learning using their Padlet creations. Padlet allows for collaboration between students. Students can therefore learn from one another, discuss their learning or the content, and increase comprehension. Padlet also helps develop fluent reading skills, letter and sound identification, and other literacy skills that lead to an increase in reading comprehension.

Possible Downfalls

Teachers may need to think of how they implement Padlet in their classroom, especially since it can be anonymous. If teachers are wanting to use Padlet to track student progress, they may need to assign the students the task of writing their name on their posts. They may also make sure creations are credited to a student by creating different Padlets for specific students, and include their name in the title.

If an iPad or other tablet has predictive text, students will not be able to spell their words phonetically which is appropriate for primary students. Teachers can turn off predictive or auto-text to ensure students can spell their words as they hear them. Students may have a hard time functioning the multimodal tools of Padlet. This can be addressed with written or picture directions.

Wallwisher, Inc. (2016). Padlet photographs. Licensed under https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/padlet/id834618886?mt=8